Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management

Originally published as twenty-four newspaper columns from 1859 to 1861, Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management is many things, but it is first and foremost a guide to managing a household during the nineteenth century. Beeton wrote, As with the commander of an army, or the leader of any enterprise, so is it with the mistress of a house.” Running an extravagant household was a monumental task and a responsibility not to be taken lightly. It meant supervising every employee, from the butler to the laundry-maid to the footman and the wet nurse. It meant managing the safety, happiness, comfort, and well-being of the family. In addition to offering advice on a wide range of domestic topics, this abridged edition of Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management contains hundreds of original recipes. A compendium of practical information about everything from animal husbandry to child care, this Victorian classic is both fascinating and still useful. Sarah A. Chrisman, author of Victorian Secrets and This Victorian Life provides the foreword, reflecting on how she uses Mrs. Beeton’s advice on a daily basis.

Mrs Beeton reigned supreme among the writers of domestic manuals in the Victorian era. Much more than just a cookery book, or even a guide to household management, her Book of Household Management is full of historic and literary anecdotes - she aimed to give her readers a thorough education. Today it is more than just a historical curiosity; as well as a great sourcebook for nineteenth century recipes, it also provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the people of its time and is a thoroughly entertaining read. This is a new edition (not a scan) of the 1861 text; it is unabridged and includes all the original illustrations in black and white.