Free Downloads Sorry!: The English And Their Manners
A HUMOROUS AND CHARMING INVESTIGATION INTO THE HISTORY OF AND REASONS BEHIND ENGLISH MANNERSMost of us know a bit about what passes for good manners holding doors open, sending thank-you notes, no elbows on the table and we certainly know bad manners when we see them. But where has this patchwork of beliefs and behaviors come from? How did manners develop? How do they change? And why do they matter so much? In examining English manners, Henry Hitchings delves into the English character and investigates what it means to be English."Sorry!" presents an amusing, illuminating, and quirky audit of English manners. From basic table manners to appropriate sexual conduct, via hospitality, chivalry, faux pas, and online etiquette, Hitchings traces the history of England's customs and courtesies. Putting some of the most astute observers of humanity including Jane Austen and Samuel Pepys under the microscope, he uses their lives and writings to pry open the often downright peculiar secrets of the English character. Hitchings's blend of history, anthropology, and personal journey helps us understand the bizarre and contested cultural baggage that goes along with our understanding of what it means to have good manners."
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Picador (December 2, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250056152
ISBN-13: 978-1250056153
Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 1 x 8.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #740,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #261 in Books > History > Historical Study & Educational Resources > Essays #482 in Books > Reference > Etiquette > Etiquette Guides & Advice #1259 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Customs & Traditions
The subject matter appears almost random. The flow of the text is rambling and the reader is left searching for a consistent theme. There are a few bright spots in which the reader is a has a "that's interesting" moment, but these are all too few and mostly the consistent question the reader has in mind while reading is "where is this heading?". The prose is pleasant, but overall the book is disappointing.
I found this book to be both informative and hilarious. Hitchings provides the framework for a deeper understanding of the many nuanced rituals of everyday life in the UK.
A very interesting book. It contains a lot of good stories that are obviously based on a great deal of research. It makes manners something you want to read about.
A book that I really enjoyed. Much of the info I already knew but learning the background for the somewhat quirky behaviour of the English was great. Also a perfect present for my English friends!
It is a rambling rant ; very poorly organized. Sorry. It could have been a very interesting topic. I plowed through only because I actually bought it.
From the title, I assumed it would be a humourous work, perhaps in the style of Nora Ephron or David Sedaris. It is, in fact, a serious study of manners in England, in layman's language. If you want to be informed, this is it. If you want to be entertained, look elsewhere.
Wonderful anthropological volume. Easy and rewarding read
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