The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes

Why do I love this book? I'm a very busy professional with children and multiple homes who tries like crazy to have moments of grace and charm in a too-hectic life. What Suzanne Pollak and Lee Manigault have done with their book is to make grace, charm, and great food accessible to everyone, in a most pragmatic and humorous way. They are clearly very elegant AND a couple of Southern broads (as a New Yorker would say)! Whether you are a neophyte cook or already accomplished, whether you have run homes or are starting out, there are fantastic tips and really wonderful recipes for all in this beautifully simply-designed and written book. I own over 200 books on home design, cookery, lifestyle, and the like and I love many of them. The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits Handbook stands on its own, with really useful information, some unusual but simple recipe ideas, as well as some plain fun stuff. Personally, I'd like to take a vacation from my business life and go to the Charleston Academy for a few weeks -- and I suspect my family would appreciate the results.

First let me say that this book is beautiful. The cover, the lining, the thickness of the pages and ribbon page marker are all refined- obviously a great deal of thought went into the book. The substance of the book is also great. There is a good mix of etiquette tips, party hosting suggestions, and even tips for staying the night at a friend's house. The recipes are interesting at first read and vary on difficultly level. I haven't tried any yet but I did attend one of the Deans' classes in Charleston about a year ago and will tell you everything we made that morning was divine. Within two days of receiving the book and forcing myself to read it slowly (I just wanted to read it cover to cover when it arrived), I was inspired to host a dessert party. It was great fun and I'm looking forward to hosting another event at my home soon.

I pick this up and put it down and need to give it the proper time and attention it deserves. I did make the twice fried in duck fat hash last night for my sons and fraternity brothers coming back from a bowl game. It was so good one of the boys took the bowl and a spatula to lick it clean. Here is my complaint. Please share how big a pan to use, and how long it will take the potatoes to cook. I am experienced cook, but someone less so might have a harder time. I would gift this book which is as good as it gets with me 4 stars for incomplete directions.

What a treat this is to read! I am literally laughing out loud. You are hilarious! I feel like I am in the room with you, listening to you be hilarious in person. How on earth did you write this so fast? I'm sure it is a great cookbook as well. I love, for instance, your salad suggestions for the different seasons. Those kinds of ideas give a person confidence to do something on their own instead of just using one specific recipe. It is very well-organized and extremely appealing in every way. The cover even caught the eye of my six year-old, who was quite taken with it. Congratulations on an incredible job. Not only on the book, but on the whole creation of the Academy. Isn't it amazing that a year or so ago, the world didn't even realize that we needed it? You two have created something that didn't exist before and made it a great part of people's lives. So, so inspiring. Kudos to you both. Thank you for sharing your creativity, humor and wonderful selves with Charleston, and now, the rest of the world.

I don't know what to think about this book. I didn't find anything here that I haven't already learned, through my upbringing (my mother, grandmother and aunts did a fabulous job raising me to know these things) and reading old entertaining books from the 50s and 60s. I didn't find the "third person" writing to be charming at all. Furthermore, the whole premise that Southerners know more about entertaining and are better than anyone else in the US is off-putting, petty and just plain wrong. We here in the West know how to entertain with flair, to make our guests feel comfortable, to cook a delicious, home-prepared meal without using processed ingredients, and use our manners. The one thing that sets us apart is the Westerner's refusal to be phony, which is what Southerners come off as being. Honestly, get over it, this book is just another that proves Southerners are no better than anyone else at entertaining, decorating or cooking. It is puzzling that these women feel they have some sort of PhD. in such things that they have to have a school in Charleston, SC to teach these things. We're given the clear message that Southerners know all about this kind of stuff, so what gives with a school? Perhaps the image they are projecting is as false as "Bless Your Heart". (Yes, I know how to speak Southern.) I also didn't know that one had to globe trot in order to figure out how to entertain,set the table, have culture, etc. I've done just fine here in the US. Tax deductible trip, anyone? Honestly, this is an OK publication, a decent refresher course. The recipes sound interesting, so I'll give those a shot. I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this book. This will now remain on the shelf until I want to use one of those recipes, for entertaining, I'll turn to one of the standards from the 50s and 60s. Sorry, women, you're not as great as you think you are.

I really love this book and feel like I could meet the two authors and be their instant best friend. It's written in the third person, which makes it even better. Great recipes and tips for entertaining, but it reads like a novel. I honestly couldn't put it down!

Authors Suzanne Pollak and Lee Manigault, two of the best in the business, have written a gem of a book that's a smart addition to any kitchen library. Artfully illustrated and filled with practical advice, the Charleston Academy Deans teach us how use our kitchens and remind us how to live at home again. Follow their lead. You'll have fun, laugh and learn a lot, and honor friends and family with your hospitality.

...for a doorstop. I was looking for a modern-day Emily Post and was finagled by the high reviews on this one. I've never flipped through a catalogue as fast as I did this book. It wasn't until page 94 that I encountered a remotely useful/interesting tidbit on seating arrangements, but that was shortlived. I flipped some more until page 110 and have since given up completely. The writing tone needs to be rescued and the content leaves something to be desired, like I don't know-- substance, maybe!! Other reviewers are right in these women's high opinions of themselves is tiring and how they refer to themselves as "The Deans" is preposterous, even IF this school of theirs is legitimate. For a book on Domestic Pursuits of Etiquette with Recipes, it doesn't expound on domestic pursuits, completely neglects etiquette, and that leaves only one leg to stand on: recipes, which I'm disinterested in trying at this point.

A beautiful read. Lots of tips. A pleasure to read & learn.

great

I enjoyed the recipes in this book and can’t wait to try with a cocktail party. A very easy read.

I would have liked to have seen photos and there are none. There is no table of contents to easily navigate the recipes in the book.