Yet another piblisher cashing in on the popularity of Downton Abbey. This is a coffee table book which would lead you to believe that the pictures matteed but au contraire. While there is some good reading here and interesting sidebars about some Eminent Edwardians such as Emmeline Pankhurst and George Bernard Shaw and their relationshipss to servants, the picture editor took the easy way out. Most pictures are not identified other than descriptively nor are they dated and they range in period from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1930's. If you were thinking of using this for research, find another book. "To Marry an English Lord" for instance. Really enjoyed this, filled with details in the life of a servant during The Edwardian period. I thought this was detailed with a bit more info. then what I knew about life as a servant in "The big house." It also gives us a look into the lives of the Gentry which many Downton Abbey fans are familiar with. I guess for myself I can never get enough of knowing all the details of this era. Pictures and illustrations throughout the book which always helps me have a better insight into the experience.
Rushed and yet fascinating a must read for any Downtown Abby or "Upstairs, Downstairs" fan.
—nasciturus
Nice overview of the lives of servants, but no depth. Lovely illustrations.
—Wardah
A non fiction picture book for grown ups!
—Latierre
