Journal Entry 1 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 19, 2006

The Back of the Book

Not the Victorian matron of popular imagination, Isabella Beeton was just twenty-one when she began the book that made her a household name. The Book of Household Management was written after she had just six months' experience of running a home - and this no mansion, but a suburban semi shared with her husband and one maid.

In this warm, artful and expert account of her short life (she died ages just twenty-eight), Kathryn Hughes uncovers startling new material that shows Isabella Beeton struggling with every kind of trouble - bankruptcy, sexual scandal and a bitter family feud that would last over a century - so revealing the chasm between the public and private lives of this, the original icon of domestic bliss. 

Journal Entry 2 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, February 16, 2008

I found this book fascinating for its insight into Victorian domestic life rather than for the revelations about Mrs Beeton although these were certainly interesting and sometimes sensational. Now I really must think about washing that floor ... 

Journal Entry 3 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, February 17, 2008

Offered as BookRing. 

Journal Entry 4 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, February 17, 2008

BookRing:

caterinaanna - UK - Intl
mirp - Ireland - Intl
anglersrest - UK - UK
beebarf - UK - Intl if nec
notingnothing - UK - Intl if nec
Rivercassini - UK - Intl
oceanripples - UK - Intl if nec at end
laura0141 - UK - ENDS 

Journal Entry 5 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, February 24, 2008

PMed Rivercassini for addy. 

Journal Entry 6 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, February 24, 2008

On way to Rivercassini 

Journal Entry 7 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I received the book today marked 'Return to Sender'. I have written to Rivercassini to let her know there has been a problem and offering to fit her in again at the end of the Ring.

PMing caterinaanna for addy. 

Journal Entry 8 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, May 04, 2008

On way to CaterinaAnna
 

Journal Entry 9 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, May 08, 2008

Arrived today, thank you laura0141. 

Journal Entry 10 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, May 24, 2008

Years ago I was given a facsimile edition of the original BHM as a birthday present by a chap who then nicked it to write a musical piece for the Stonesfield Ladies' Choral Society - not one of the adaptations that gets a mention in the final chapter. I'm not sure if I have the manuscript, but I certainly have a copy buried in a box somewhere.

Anyway, to the book: easy to read - in the manner of all good biographies it wears its erudition lightly. Only reason it took me so long was because it's time fell around a double department inspection at school so lots of extra work. Given that the theory about why Mrs B died so young and her husband did the things he did thereafter is well-supported by the evidence and placed in the context of the time, as the author takes pains to do, methinks it is sad rather than scandalous. What is most revealing is the joint nature of Isabella and Sam's ventures and many bored readers of their publications would no doubt have envied her her freedom.

Thank you laura0141 for sharing. Will PM mirp now for an address. 

Journal Entry 11 by Caterinaanna at on Monday, May 26, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (5/26/2008 UTC) at

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Posted onto mirp this afternoon. 

Journal Entry 12 by mirp from Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Mrs Beeton arrived safely 

Journal Entry 13 by mirp from Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Friday, June 13, 2008

I received a copy of the book from a friend. So I'm going to continue on reading that on and send this copy on to the next person.

Thanks for sharing it with me, I'm really enjoying it. It will be on its way to Anglersrest on Monday. 

Journal Entry 14 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Sunday, June 22, 2008

Arrived whilst I was away at a conference then on hols in Scotland. Thanks for sending. 

Journal Entry 15 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Saturday, August 02, 2008

A fascinating account of not just the life of Isabella Beeton, but also Victorian Britain.

Just about to PM beebarf for an address. 

Journal Entry 16 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Monday, September 01, 2008

Still no response from Beefbarf (PMed and ISO'ed). Now trying notingnothing 

Journal Entry 17 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Horray! heard from notingnothing, and in the post over the next day or so. 

Journal Entry 18 by notingnothing from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Arrived yesterday. Thank you. 

Journal Entry 19 by notingnothing from Eastbourne, East Sussex United Kingdom on Saturday, October 25, 2008

Thanks for sending this on a ring.

Unfortunately, I had trouble with the print of this book (my eyes are ever-so-fussy, lol!) and found it difficult to read so have PMd Rivercassini for an address.
 

Journal Entry 20 by notingnothing at A Controlled Release, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (10/28/2008 UTC) at A Controlled Release, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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On its way to Rivercassini 

Journal Entry 21 by Rivercassini from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, November 01, 2008

Thank you so much for sharing this - which arrived a couple of days ago at work. I'm so looking forward to reading it and will be starting it later today. 

Journal Entry 22 by Rivercassini from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, November 24, 2008

I loved this, with all its details about the times in which Mrs Beeton lived and her friends and family. I sort of knew that she wasn't the matron of a large household of popular belief but even so sI found parts of her story surprising. My favourite part was that related to her courtship with Samuel Beeton, which she to be conducted largely by letter at times, and the ways in which those letters relieved her as a typical teenager - passionate and moody.

Just about to PM oceanripples for an address to pass it on. Thanks for laura0141 for sharing and to notingnothing for send it. 

Journal Entry 23 by Rivercassini from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, November 30, 2008

Oceanripples has asked to be skipped, so this book is getting ready to come home - bags packed n' all. 

Journal Entry 24 by Rivercassini at By Post, a postal release -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, December 07, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (12/6/2008 UTC) at By Post, a postal release -- Controlled Releases

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It's on its way home... 

Journal Entry 25 by laura0141 from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, January 02, 2009

Received with thanks to all who made this a successful Ring. For wild release. 

Journal Entry 26 by laura0141 at Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, April 27, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (4/27/2009 UTC) at Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom

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Will be released to a charity shop.