Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Touchstone (1994), Edition: Illustrated, 416 pages
Description
Essays provide a view of British life during the nineteenth century.
User reviews
LibraryThing member souloftherose
Lost in Austen? Defeated by Dickens? Troubled by Trollope? Then this could be the book for you!
Daniel Pool has written an accessible and entertaining guide to 19th century life in England covering both the Regency and Victorian periods. Although aimed at American readers, life in 19th century
What makes this book particularly interesting to a lover of 19th century British literature is that Pool often uses quotes or refers to passages in those well-known 19th century books to illustrate his explanations. Of course, this had the effect of either making me want to reread my favourite 19th century authors or investigate new ones - so be warned!
The only thing that stopped me from giving this book five stars was that I would have preferred a longer book with more information and pictures/diagrams. This book serves as a good introduction to the subject but left me wanting to know more and there were several areas where I felt the subjects discussed could have been much more easily explained using pictures. On the subject of carriages, for example, which are often mentioned in Austen's book, Pool runs through a list of the different coaches and carriages in use and the social status implied with each vehicle. But none of his explanation stayed in my head; the carriages all had fairly similar names and the descriptions given weren't enough to let me picture them in my head. A page of drawings illustrating the different types of carriages would have made all the difference. Similarly for the subject of dress in the 19th century. Would it have been all that difficult to include some pictures of the typical costumes worn by men and women during the 19th century?
But overall this was an enjoyable and informative read. It just needed a little bit more to make it truly exceptional.
Daniel Pool has written an accessible and entertaining guide to 19th century life in England covering both the Regency and Victorian periods. Although aimed at American readers, life in 19th century
Show More
England was sufficiently different from life in 21st century England to make this a useful book for a native British person to read. The second half of the book is a 100 page glossary which would be a useful aide to refer to whilst reading.What makes this book particularly interesting to a lover of 19th century British literature is that Pool often uses quotes or refers to passages in those well-known 19th century books to illustrate his explanations. Of course, this had the effect of either making me want to reread my favourite 19th century authors or investigate new ones - so be warned!
The only thing that stopped me from giving this book five stars was that I would have preferred a longer book with more information and pictures/diagrams. This book serves as a good introduction to the subject but left me wanting to know more and there were several areas where I felt the subjects discussed could have been much more easily explained using pictures. On the subject of carriages, for example, which are often mentioned in Austen's book, Pool runs through a list of the different coaches and carriages in use and the social status implied with each vehicle. But none of his explanation stayed in my head; the carriages all had fairly similar names and the descriptions given weren't enough to let me picture them in my head. A page of drawings illustrating the different types of carriages would have made all the difference. Similarly for the subject of dress in the 19th century. Would it have been all that difficult to include some pictures of the typical costumes worn by men and women during the 19th century?
But overall this was an enjoyable and informative read. It just needed a little bit more to make it truly exceptional.
Show Less
LibraryThing member wldemidoff
This is a nifty book for students and other readers of Victorian novels to have handy. I certainly wish I could have had it to use during high school when I experienced my first tastes of Dickens in book form. (Especially since one year I studied under The English Teacher From Hell Who Knew It and
Show More
Showed Off About It, dear Mister Clarke, who would give hellacious quizzes on David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities, with questions such as "What color are the socks of the main character in the chapter depicting his entry into school?" -- sorry!) What Jane Austen Ate is useful and entertaining both as a reference book and as fodder for trivia lovers and people who enjoy "a day in the life" accounts of various historical eras. The chapters are arranged logically, Pool offers much information about the legal and social set-up of 19th Century England, and in the back there is a long glossary offering meanings to words that even a scrupulous reader might not think to look up by herself. For example, who could ever have known that the word "abagail" once meant a lady's servant? I had much fun reading this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member StoutHearted
Everything you wanted to know about nineteenth-century Englanders, but were afraid to ask. I was amazed at all the things covered in this book that I wondered about while reading Austen and Bronte, but never bothered to look up: Things like the ranking of peers, the different types of carriages,
Show More
and a handy glossary of terms at the end of the book. Questions you never thought to ask, like "What did they do with their trash?" or "Where did they get their water?" are answered. I found the parts about politics a bit dull, but that might be my personal preference. I was most fascinated by the chapters on social life and the daily habits of the different classes. I wish there were more detail on their social lives, but every page has a wealth of knowledge. Some things seemed like they may have been exaggerated, like the scourge of gravedigging everywhere, and a governess's inevitable seduction by the master of the house. However, being only a faithful reader and no expert, I can't refute anything in the novel. All in all, a must-read for fans of Victorian literature. Show Less
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
Does what it says on the tin. The first half of the book consists of short sections on topics of 19th-century English life that may arise in books of the period (such as "Fairs and Markets" or "The Church of England" or "Currency" or "Women's Clothing"). These sections are well-written and make
Show More
frequent reference to passages which mention or hinge on the topic at hand in popular 19th-century novels. The second half of the book contains an extensive glossary, bibliography, and index. I read the book through from cover to cover, though it would work very well, I think, as a reference. The glossary treats most entries thoroughly enough to be getting on with if one were simply looking to understand quickly a reference in a 19th-century novel, and the table of contents and index would make finding a longer discussion of any topic quite easy. Recommended for any one looking to understand their 19th-century British reads more fully or anyone interested in the period generally. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
I find this indespensible when reading anything written this time frame. As the authors are writing for people in their time and place, many of their then known details are a mystery to us now. An absolute must for understanding those mysterious details.
Many references to the works of Hardy,
Many references to the works of Hardy,
Show More
Trollope, Austen and Dickens throughout. Show Less
LibraryThing member turtlesleap
For those who enjoy 19th Century fiction, this is a delightful reference, offering explanations of all those puzzling words and phrases that challenge the modern reader. In addition to detailed explanations of 19th Century daily life, the book offers a glossary of terms as a quick reference for
Show More
those who need to know the precise function of a "teapoy" in a hurry. Delightful. Show Less
LibraryThing member PensiveCat
A decent reference book to have around when reading Regency/Victorian England-era novels. I was able to read it through without being bored, and learned a thing or two. Now I can play whist!
LibraryThing member ddelmoni
A good reference on Victorian times but poorly organized.
LibraryThing member andreablythe
Pool looks at everyday life in 19th century England. Everything from card games to fox hunting to orphanages. His goal in writing this book is to illuminate some of the cultural mysteries of the era for the reader of 19th century novels, which he does with a sense of irony and wit.
The book is
This book is an invaluable introduction to the 19th century, giving the basic ins and outs of everyday life. As a writer, this would be the first source I would turn to if I ever decided to write a historical set in that era. Definitely a book I would like to have on my shelf for easy reference.
The book is
Show More
composed in two parts. In Part I he describes everyday life, using quotes from popular 19th century novels to illuminate his descriptions. In Part II he includes an in-depth glossary (somewhere in the range 100 pages long), which I was quite happy to flip through discovering new-to-me words that have long since become archaic.This book is an invaluable introduction to the 19th century, giving the basic ins and outs of everyday life. As a writer, this would be the first source I would turn to if I ever decided to write a historical set in that era. Definitely a book I would like to have on my shelf for easy reference.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ChocolateMilkMaid
This is one of those books you can open anywhere and get caught up in whatever the subject happens to be. If you're a fan of Victorian England, you'll be surprised to know the real story behind the country houses, servants, juicy sex lives, and other stuff that made up the lives of 19th century
Show More
Britons. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmaloney17
This is a book I discovered through LT earlier this year. I read a lot of 19th century classics. This book explained a lot things I did not realize I did not understand. I really liked the parts on diseases and order of importance among the elite. I was really grateful for the diseases. I always
I recommend this book to anyone that reads classic Brit lit. You will likely learn something that will help you understand the books better. There also is a glossary at the end of the book, so if you ever come across something that you do not quite get, you can look it up!
Show More
wondered what the difference between the croup and consumption was, and what exactly dropsy was. I was interested to find out that many of the diseases no longer exist and that they could catch malaria in England. I thought malaria was just a tropical disease. It was all very interesting. I also discovered why the workhouse was so deplorable (very nasty people), and why everyone seemed to drink so much.I recommend this book to anyone that reads classic Brit lit. You will likely learn something that will help you understand the books better. There also is a glossary at the end of the book, so if you ever come across something that you do not quite get, you can look it up!
Show Less
LibraryThing member kaffles
An entertaining and interesting read, but I was a bit worried about the facts in the book. The author didn't cite where he got any of the information from, and I'm pretty sure that at least a couple of the facts he blithely ran off were entirely wrong.
LibraryThing member lisalouhoo
This book is a good resource to have on hand. The author delves briefly into many subjects brought up in 19th century English lit. Includes quotations from books written at the time as examples. The last part of the book is a glossary of terms, which I found very helpful. Not the sort of book I
Show More
would sit down and read quickly through, but interesting to pick up and read by subject. Show Less
LibraryThing member pleiadesone
Reference book on 19th century Britain using literary works.
LibraryThing member PeskyLibrary
Daniel Pool’s book consists partly of a glossary and partly of short articles on various aspects of life in the 19th century England. For example, various modes of transportation, aspects of law and both domestic and work life are discussed, and foods, tools, items of clothing, and currency
The author’s background is in law and political science. This shows especially in the glossary. A number of entries would have benefitted from a wider knowledge of the arts, humanities and literature. Unfortunately, some glossary items also contain errors, or at the very least extremely cursory explanations. For this reason I wouldn’t recommend the source to be used alone; it would be better to verify important information elsewhere. Furthermore, Pool has a habit of serving the reader with value-laden adjectives that contribute little to the matter and end up annoying rather than edifying. (For instance, I don’t think that yew is a “dismal” evergreen, like Pool does.) Nevertheless, the book is an enlightening and interesting work.
EJ 01/2011
Show More
explained in detail. The text abounds with quotes from and references to literature from the period.The author’s background is in law and political science. This shows especially in the glossary. A number of entries would have benefitted from a wider knowledge of the arts, humanities and literature. Unfortunately, some glossary items also contain errors, or at the very least extremely cursory explanations. For this reason I wouldn’t recommend the source to be used alone; it would be better to verify important information elsewhere. Furthermore, Pool has a habit of serving the reader with value-laden adjectives that contribute little to the matter and end up annoying rather than edifying. (For instance, I don’t think that yew is a “dismal” evergreen, like Pool does.) Nevertheless, the book is an enlightening and interesting work.
EJ 01/2011
Show Less
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
This is a quick slick book and is very breezy. I don't carry much away from reading this one, but it collects what a certain element in the reading public would find colourful.
LibraryThing member thatotter
Very readable. Probably a good reference for readers, but doesn't go into enough detail to be really useful for writers.
The author draws a lot of examples directly from novels (mainly Trollope, Dickens, and Hardy), and in the process he gives away some plot twists. So be careful if there are books
The author draws a lot of examples directly from novels (mainly Trollope, Dickens, and Hardy), and in the process he gives away some plot twists. So be careful if there are books
Show More
you haven't read that you don't want to be spoiled for. Show Less
LibraryThing member thekimmie
A good book to have if you plan on writing on the period. Lots of information. I found it a bit dry compared to other books I have read of this type. But still helpful.
LibraryThing member Judy6_10
Too late to really cover much of Jane Austen's time since she was born in the in the a few decades before the end of the 18th century
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
A must for a Dickens fiend like me -- explains so many of the vagaries of Victorian England. Those people were freakin' nuts though when it came to titles and servants and all that crap. I would not have done well there.
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
Over 400 pages of definitions, facts, and glosses for the most alien aspects of 1800s England. And there are a lot of them! The nineteenth century saw the birth of much of what we think of as unremarkable necessities of civilization: a police force, basic schooling for all children, a national mail
Show More
system...This is truly a fascinating read, and one I highly recommend for anyone reading regency or Victorian-era literature. Show Less
LibraryThing member nerdbucket95
A very informative book about daily life in the 19th century England. Great for people interested in literature from that era, but the amount of quotes the author uses can be a bit painful to read through.
LibraryThing member setnahkt
Delightful; a sort of a time-traveling tourist’s guide to 19th-century England with specific focus on various terms that turn up in period literature. I used to consider myself fairly knowledgeable here, but I confess on reading this that a lot of my assumptions on the way things worked were just
The book has two sections; the first three-quarters or so are chapters on each aspect of 19th century life - etiquette and social graces, transportation (around the country, not to Australia - that comes under “Crime”), the Church, personal life (courtship, marriage, and “a taxonomy of maids”), and how to be an orphan, get sick, and die. The remaining quarter is a extensive glossary, with many words explained that I only thought I knew the meaning of (“paraphernalia”, for example).
Essential if you want to know:
* Who goes into dinner first, a duke or an archbishop?
* The difference between nurse maids, parlor maids, ladies maids, scullery maids, house maids, kitchen maids, maids of all work, dairy maids and charwomen.
* The difference between a Nonconformist and a Dissenter.
* How to tell a groom from a footman.
* The correct classification of rectors, vicars, deans, canons, prebendaries, vergers and other churchmen.
* How to get a handle on the immense variety and subtle differences in horse-drawn vehicles: curricles, berlins, barouches, landaus, stanhopes, gigs, victorias, phaetons, diligences, etc.
There are lots of curious little facts. I was impressed to find that 16% of the national work force, even in 1891 when various labor-saving devices were starting to come into use, was “in service”. I suppose various pundits of the time must have reflected on the decline of service positions and wondered where all the dispossessed butlers and footmen were going to find jobs. Similarly, it’s amusing to find that there was always a reason to resist any technological advance on religious or social grounds (although not quoted in this book, the Duke of Wellington reportedly was opposed to railroads because “they would encourage the lower orders to move about”). The fanatical delicacy about being “in trade” is also pretty funny; a barrister’s wife could be presented at court while a solicitor’s could not. This was because you paid a solicitor to engage a barrister; the barrister did not take your money directly, instead receiving a “gift” from the solicitor, and thus was not “in trade”. If you think the law is slow now, it’s worthwhile to consider the Jennings case (the basis for Jarndyce versus Jarndyce in Bleak House). The case was over the will of a man who died in 1798 - it was settled in 1915 (after soaking up £250K in court costs). Life was grim for orphans; only one third of the prostitutes in London had both parents living. And, for those who claim that global warming will inflict topical diseases on us, malaria and yellow fever were both endemic in England until widespread swamp drainage in the middle of the century (although yellow fever was normally confined to ports; presumable the mosquito carrier was unable to overwinter).
Recommended, even if you were forced to read Far From The Madding Crowd in high school and swore never to touch Thomas Hardy again.
Show More
plain wrong.The book has two sections; the first three-quarters or so are chapters on each aspect of 19th century life - etiquette and social graces, transportation (around the country, not to Australia - that comes under “Crime”), the Church, personal life (courtship, marriage, and “a taxonomy of maids”), and how to be an orphan, get sick, and die. The remaining quarter is a extensive glossary, with many words explained that I only thought I knew the meaning of (“paraphernalia”, for example).
Essential if you want to know:
* Who goes into dinner first, a duke or an archbishop?
* The difference between nurse maids, parlor maids, ladies maids, scullery maids, house maids, kitchen maids, maids of all work, dairy maids and charwomen.
* The difference between a Nonconformist and a Dissenter.
* How to tell a groom from a footman.
* The correct classification of rectors, vicars, deans, canons, prebendaries, vergers and other churchmen.
* How to get a handle on the immense variety and subtle differences in horse-drawn vehicles: curricles, berlins, barouches, landaus, stanhopes, gigs, victorias, phaetons, diligences, etc.
There are lots of curious little facts. I was impressed to find that 16% of the national work force, even in 1891 when various labor-saving devices were starting to come into use, was “in service”. I suppose various pundits of the time must have reflected on the decline of service positions and wondered where all the dispossessed butlers and footmen were going to find jobs. Similarly, it’s amusing to find that there was always a reason to resist any technological advance on religious or social grounds (although not quoted in this book, the Duke of Wellington reportedly was opposed to railroads because “they would encourage the lower orders to move about”). The fanatical delicacy about being “in trade” is also pretty funny; a barrister’s wife could be presented at court while a solicitor’s could not. This was because you paid a solicitor to engage a barrister; the barrister did not take your money directly, instead receiving a “gift” from the solicitor, and thus was not “in trade”. If you think the law is slow now, it’s worthwhile to consider the Jennings case (the basis for Jarndyce versus Jarndyce in Bleak House). The case was over the will of a man who died in 1798 - it was settled in 1915 (after soaking up £250K in court costs). Life was grim for orphans; only one third of the prostitutes in London had both parents living. And, for those who claim that global warming will inflict topical diseases on us, malaria and yellow fever were both endemic in England until widespread swamp drainage in the middle of the century (although yellow fever was normally confined to ports; presumable the mosquito carrier was unable to overwinter).
Recommended, even if you were forced to read Far From The Madding Crowd in high school and swore never to touch Thomas Hardy again.
Show Less
LibraryThing member linepainter
Good overview, but not enough detail for anyone who picked it up in order to write historical fiction. Useful details when it comes to carriages and servants.
LibraryThing member emilyesears
I read this book straight-through, but it'd be better if you just use it for reference if you have a specific question about the period. I felt like I got way too much information the way I read it.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1993
Physical description
416 p.; 8.44 inches
ISBN
0671882368 / 9780671882365