|
| The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware | 
 enlarge | Author: Suzanne Von Drachenfels
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $40.00
Buy New: $17.77
You Save: $22.23 (56%)
New (28) Used (13) from $17.77
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 111197
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 592
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.6
ISBN: 0684847329
Dewey Decimal Number: 642.7
EAN: 9780684847320
ASIN: 0684847329
Publication Date: November 8, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 A Complete A to Z Guide on Table Setting, Manners and Tableware. February 12, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
At last a book that address's the who, what, when, where, how and why of table settings, tableware and manners. Very sadly over the years etiquette, especially table has been flushed down the proverbial toilet. This is a must have reference book for any home; and, makes for a great engagement, housewarming or new apartment gift. There are two (2) hope chests sitting within the walls of our home; both have a copy of The Art of the Table. Upon receiving this book, my girls and I sat down and started to skim through it,two (2) hours later found us taking out the fine china, stemware and silver. We set both a formal and informal table. A memory I shall forever treasure. Suzanne Von Drachenfels thank you, for this great book.
A phenominal resource book dedicated to enlighten and inform its reader. October 7, 2005
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
The Art of The Table - A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware, is extremely thorough in covering all the details related to proper table etiquette. Author Suzanne Von Drachenfels makes it so easy, and entertaining in the process, finding the answer to any mealtime dilemma.
In nine, worldly-wise written chapters, you will learn all about table fundamentals. Starting with the dining experience (formal vs. informal), then dinnerware, flatware, stemware, table linens, serving techniques, dining finesse, menu planning, Suzanne completes her mission with her undertaking of table manners in a changing world. Her history lessons compliment any given subject and are very enjoyable. Excellent!
The ideal gift for brides and gracious hosts...... August 15, 2005
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Gently and sensibly, this author explains the purpose of formal and informal dining and guides her readers towards a satisfying dining experience. If this book is not considered THE ultimate informative guidebook on the subject, it should be.
The majority of Americans do not observe the strict protocol of formal dining but everyone will benefit from the information found here. A well laid table says "welcome" to both family members and guests. Setting a pleasant informal table, serving food graciously, and enjoying mealtimes are all covered here. Readers will learn how to choose and properly care for
dinnerware, flatware, and glassware. Menu planning and table manners are also discussed in thorough and helpful ways. Whether you want to enhance a simple family meal, plan a buffet luncheon, or entertain royalty, von Drachenfels outlines each contingency step by step. Formal and informal dining in American and Continental style are thoroughly explained in easy-to-understand terms with simple pictures to accompany each topic. If you ever wondered what all the forks were for, or worried over proper placement of soiled napkins, you'll find those answers here.
The Art of the Table is much more than helpful and informative. The author includes a fascinating history of eating utensils, serving ware, glassware, tea, wine, and coffee. And in the center of the book are full color pictures of both formal and informal table settings. In essence, this book is like the dining experience von Drachenfels extols -- a memorable experience. It would be the ideal gift for brides, and is a must have for anyone wishing to learn more about The Art of the Table.
Comprehensive info on table settings, usage & serving June 1, 2005
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
As a long-time collector of place settings in porcelain, antique china, contemporary china, sterling, crystal and elegant glassware, I found this book to be comprehensive in scope -- defining each place setting piece and its usage, as well as including lots of information on service, care, manners, and protocol.
It would have been further enhanced by some color photographs of a variety of well-set tables.
The author also covers the history and many classifications of dinnerware and flatware and stemware and linens. However, one disappointment was that, in her chapters on the history and types of dinnerware, while she covers a variety of countries and sources -- including Chinese, Islamic, Italian, German, English, and American -- she astonishingly totally omits all mention of French porcelain (notably that from the city of Limoges). She never even mentions the Haviland companies or others in Limoges, considered by many to be among the finest makers of porcelain using some of the strongest, whitest clay in the world, and producing thousands of designs. Antique Haviland & Company dinnerware pieces are in great demand today and come in every imaginable design and shape and size and purpose. These pieces are a study in Victorian dining -- a style for each type of food in each of the thirteen courses of the formal Victorian dinner, and should surely have been mentioned in any overview of dinnerware pieces and their history.
But to most readers this would be a minor point. The history coverage is not the main point or value of the book, in my mind.
It is a well-researched coverage of lots of information relating to the table settings themselves, all in one place. I had learned much of this over the years as I collected and read about table setting pieces, especially dinnerware and sterling, but to have a single reference is an excellent contribution and would have made my information-gathering easier while I collected and learned.
And, as someday these pieces will be passed on to my daughters, this book will be an invaluable accompaniment on table settings and entertaining using these collections -- it is my belief that they should be used and enjoyed, not packed away for some special day that never arrives, because it's too much trouble to get them out or for fear of damage.
Setting a nice table is an art that makes for gracious entertaining as well as for daily family dinner settings that make each meal special -- whether with fine antique china and sterling or with simple attractive pottery and stainless.
For someone interested in table settings and all the subtleties of dining, this is an excellent source of information.
A most excellent book January 31, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I so wish I had found this book ten years ago when I got married! My mother doesn't have much china; she has no silver and no crystal. My mother-in-law's china has been locked up in her attic for thirty-eight years. I married my high school sweetheart right after he graduated from medical school. lol!
When I registered for my place settings, I registered for what the clerk told me to, not knowing anything about why I would need rimmed soup bowls instead of cream soup bowls, etc. I chose at the time not to register for sterling, but rather good stainless, a move I now regret. I just didn't understand what I needed and why.
I have been doing well over the years by watching other people at dinner parties and learning on the spot. Also, I had a good etiquette book, so I was able to make it through the world of entertaining until now.
This book is a Godsend! It is far more comprehensive than a regular etiquette book, and I am especially enjoying the history lessons of both the tableware pieces and the roots of some of the food-related sayings we still have today (like "to whet the appetite"). I am actually reading it cover to cover, and then will most likely use it as a reference piece.
Now that I have been married ten years, I have decided to finish my china collection, start a sterling collection and completely redo my crystal collection. I don't think I could do any of that properly without this book. I finally have an understanding of what pieces I need, as well as what to do now that my china pattern has been discontinued. Yes, the book is very very comprehensive-- who knew there were so many knives!!! And, yes, I won't need to purchase every piece of every collection. But, isn't it nice to know that these pieces exist and how to properly use them?
This book preserves the history of tableware. If this book wasn't this comprehensive, would the art of the table be lost? I think so! The author even mentions that, for instance, luncheon plates are not needed in many cases today since so many women work outside of the home, and women don't luncheon much any more. She is well-aware of her purpose in this book, which is to be comprehensive.
This book is well-worth the money, and I do believe I will start to give it as a bridal shower gift.
|
|
|
| |
