Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Profile Books (2012), Edition: Television tie-in edition, 336 pages
Description
"If you lived at Downton Abbey, you shopped at Selfridge's. Harry Gordon Selfridge was a charismatic American who, in twenty-five years working at Marshall Field's in Chicago, rose from lowly stockboy to a partner in the business which his visionary skills had helped to create. At the turn of the twentieth century he brought his own American dream to London's Oxford Street where, in 1909, with a massive burst of publicity, Harry opened Selfridge's, England's first truly modern built-for-purpose department store. Designed to promote shopping as a sensual and pleasurable experience, six acres of floor space offered what he called "everything that enters into the affairs of daily life," as well as thrilling new luxuries--from ice-cream soda to signature perfumes. This magical emporium also featured Otis elevators, a bank, a rooftop garden with an ice-skating rink, and a restaurant complete with orchestra--all catering to customers from Anna Pavlova to Noel Coward. The store was "a theatre, with the curtain going up at nine o'clock." Yet the real drama happened off the shop floor, where Mr. Selfridge navigated an extravagant world of mistresses, opulent mansions, racehorses, and an insatiable addiction to gambling. While his gloriously iconic store still stands, the man himself would ultimately come crashing down"--"In 1909 London's first dedicated department store built from scratch opened in a glorious burst of publicity, spearheaded by the largest advertising campaign ever mounted in the British press. In his eponymous store Selfridge created nothing less than "the theatre of retail". His personal life was just as flamboyant, one of mistresses and mansions, racehorses and yachts. In this book Lindy Woodhead tells the extraordinary story of the early 20th century revolution in shopping and the rise and fall of a retail prince"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sanddancer
This is a biography of Harry Gordon Selfridge and his famous London department store. Selfridge was an American, who started his career at Marshall Field's in Chicago, "retired" at 40, then moved to London to start his own department store. He has grand plans and some of his idea revolutionised
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shopping - he invented the bargain basement and the whole shopping experience with art and entertainment that Selfridges does so well today, was started by him. There is a lot of interesting information in here about society in the early part of the last century, obviously about shopping habits, but also about women's place in society and the changing class system. Selfridge led a glamorous life and there is as much about his various lady friends as there is about shopping, and whilst it offers an interesting insight into the lifestyles of the rich and famous of that period, by the end of the book, I still don't feel that I know Selfridge himself that well. Show Less
LibraryThing member nigeyb
Harry Selfridge was a truly remarkable man. Nicknamed "Mile-a-minute" Harry on account of his dynamism and ideas, he inspired and delighted most of those he met. His working life was devoted to retail and his creativity and energy transformed shopping, both in Chicago and more significantly in
Although I am fascinated by the era he lived through, I was unsure whether a book about a man and his shop would hold much interest for me. I was pleasantly surprised - the book starts slowly however becomes more and more compelling - and, by the end, I'd concluded this is a really interesting, absorbing and enjoyable book. Lindy Woodhead's well researched book certainly does the man justice, and she contextualises his life well by detailing lots of interesting and relevant trends and social history happening throughout his era. Some of her digressions were less interesting, particularly in the early sections, before Selfridge's career really takes off. The best parts are those where Harry Selfridge is centre stage - even, when just reading about him, I found it hard not to fall under his spell.
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London's Oxford Street where he opened and developed his iconic department store. What also shined through in this book, in addition to his genius for retail, was his humanity and kindness. He was not some hard nosed entrepreneur, more of a compulsive showman who lived life to the the full. He was also a risk taker and, incredibly, most of his bravura ideas paid off too. His Achilles heel was his largesse and the mismanagement of his personal finances - so much so that the ending, when it comes, is both tragic and brutal. I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. That said, I also feel sure that Harry Selfridge wouldn't have had it any other way. An extraordinary life. Although I am fascinated by the era he lived through, I was unsure whether a book about a man and his shop would hold much interest for me. I was pleasantly surprised - the book starts slowly however becomes more and more compelling - and, by the end, I'd concluded this is a really interesting, absorbing and enjoyable book. Lindy Woodhead's well researched book certainly does the man justice, and she contextualises his life well by detailing lots of interesting and relevant trends and social history happening throughout his era. Some of her digressions were less interesting, particularly in the early sections, before Selfridge's career really takes off. The best parts are those where Harry Selfridge is centre stage - even, when just reading about him, I found it hard not to fall under his spell.
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LibraryThing member slug9000
If you like the show, I think you will like this book. This book is a history of Harry Selfridge and his eponymous department store, but it is also a history of shopping, fashion, Britain, the rise of the middle class, and the dramatic economic and political changes that occurred in Britain during
There are some huge differences between the book and the show, so definitely do not go into the book with expectations of reading about some of the characters in the show. Rose Selfridge (Harry's wife) actually plays a very small role in the book, as compared to her big role in the show. Similarly, some of the other characters in the show are really amalgamations of many people. However, the overall themes of the show absolutely ring true. Selfridge really was an unfailingly positive man with an eye for detail and huge dreams, though he suffered from a crippling gambling addiction and was a compulsive philanderer. And Selfridge did revolutionize shopping.
The book is very fast and enthralling read, combining information about macro global changes (like the changing role of women in society, the decline of the British aristocracy, World War I, etc) with details about Selfridge's personal and professional lives. I thought the author was also unbiased. She presented Selfridge as a man with incredible business sense who at the same time could not manage his own personal finances and had a weakness for gold-digging women. It's one of the best non-fiction books I have read in awhile, and I highly, highly recommend it.
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the first third of the twentieth century. I absolutely loved it. There are some huge differences between the book and the show, so definitely do not go into the book with expectations of reading about some of the characters in the show. Rose Selfridge (Harry's wife) actually plays a very small role in the book, as compared to her big role in the show. Similarly, some of the other characters in the show are really amalgamations of many people. However, the overall themes of the show absolutely ring true. Selfridge really was an unfailingly positive man with an eye for detail and huge dreams, though he suffered from a crippling gambling addiction and was a compulsive philanderer. And Selfridge did revolutionize shopping.
The book is very fast and enthralling read, combining information about macro global changes (like the changing role of women in society, the decline of the British aristocracy, World War I, etc) with details about Selfridge's personal and professional lives. I thought the author was also unbiased. She presented Selfridge as a man with incredible business sense who at the same time could not manage his own personal finances and had a weakness for gold-digging women. It's one of the best non-fiction books I have read in awhile, and I highly, highly recommend it.
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LibraryThing member UberButter
Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge by Lindy Woodhead
310 pages
★★★
Harry Gordon Selfridge was an American man who would become one of the fathers of modern retail. In late 1800s, many retail stores were meant for the rich. Things were almost always custom made at high prices and items were kept
I saw a special on this man on PBS and couldn’t help but want to dig further into the retail magnate. I picked up this book and while informative, it was long-winded and had a habit of deviating too much from the topic. As I feel with many non-fiction books, too much is not always better. The author does a wonderful job and telling you who Harry Selfridge was, the good and the bad side. However, she may then choose to tell you quite the story about someone Selfridge ran into but that in the end meant very little to anything – as if she just wanted to prove she knew it. In other words, the detail was well done but could have been toned down a bit. I think that Harry Selfridge lived an interesting life that deserves to be told and Woodhead illustrates him and life around him beautifully. Not a bad read but took me longer to get into than expected. SO deduction in stars for long-windiness (is that a word?) and the boredom found during those long-wind moments.
310 pages
★★★
Harry Gordon Selfridge was an American man who would become one of the fathers of modern retail. In late 1800s, many retail stores were meant for the rich. Things were almost always custom made at high prices and items were kept
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behind glass, meant to look not touch. Selfridge thought it should be open, that it should be an interactive experience, that everyone and not just the rich should get to shop, and he thought England was the place to do that. And boy, was it. He would become one of the richest and most respected retail magnates of the time, with Selfridges still being quite popular in England. Yet, the man would end his life poor, kicked out of his own company, and forgotten - a sad ending for a strong man.I saw a special on this man on PBS and couldn’t help but want to dig further into the retail magnate. I picked up this book and while informative, it was long-winded and had a habit of deviating too much from the topic. As I feel with many non-fiction books, too much is not always better. The author does a wonderful job and telling you who Harry Selfridge was, the good and the bad side. However, she may then choose to tell you quite the story about someone Selfridge ran into but that in the end meant very little to anything – as if she just wanted to prove she knew it. In other words, the detail was well done but could have been toned down a bit. I think that Harry Selfridge lived an interesting life that deserves to be told and Woodhead illustrates him and life around him beautifully. Not a bad read but took me longer to get into than expected. SO deduction in stars for long-windiness (is that a word?) and the boredom found during those long-wind moments.
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LibraryThing member nx74defiant
It starts with the history of retail shopping. We learn of the rise of Marshal Fields. Than Harry Selfridge's beginning with Marshal Fields. It goes into great detail of Harry's rise and fall.
LibraryThing member Beth3511
A history of modern retailing, as well as an overview life in England from the 1900s to 1920s. I was surprised at just how much social history the book covered. I had watched all of the PBS/British "Mr. Selfridge" series/seasons before reading this book. I was surprised about how much about
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Selfridge's life as portrayed in the tv show matched up with the book. (He did spend several days in a coma after a car accident, for instance.) The book reminded me of all the societal and technological changes he lived through (and embraced). Show Less
LibraryThing member quinton.baran
A very interesting read about Harry Selfridge and his merchandise empire, how he got started in Chicago, and then moved out on his own to London. The time period descriptions of late 19th century Chicago and early 20th century London are very interesting. It is also interesting to read about how
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World War I, the 1920's, and the great depression affected sales, and by reflection, the populace. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
336 p.; 7.87 inches
ISBN
9781781250587