Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home

Upon publication in 1922 her book, “Etiquette: In Society, In Business, In Politics and At Home,” ascended to the top of the nonfiction bestseller list, and the phrase “according to Emily Post” soon entered our language as the final word on the subject of social conduct. From advice on planning the perfect wedding to eating an artichoke correctly, Emily Post offers instruction on how to live a well-mannered life circa 1922. Emily Post's landmark book debuted during the raucous flaunting of morals and conventions known as the Jazz Age. Yet the book immediately became an overwhelming best-seller, as it codified anew the eternal idea that how you treat others matters:

“A delightful book on ethics and manners, delightfully easy to read.” -New York World

“The blue-book on social usage…the last word on the customs and manners of polite society, written by a gentlewoman whose assured social position in America and Europe stamps what she says with unquestionable authority.” -Arts and Decoration, Volumes 16-17, 1921

“Not since Mrs. Sherwood sponsored her book on etiquette some fifty years ago has any one so obviously well equipped appeared as authority on the subject.” -New York Tribune

“Differs entirely from the many books of etiquette now before the public. It does not emphasize or accentuate the trivialities of polite conduct, nor does it set forth grotesque and senseless rules which clutter up the pages of so many etiquette books. To dwell on formal trivialities, the author holds, is like ‘measuring the letters of the signboards by the roadside instead of profiting by the directions they offer.’”-Arts and Decoration, Volumes 16-17, 1921

“Now Emily Post has added to her rather versatile collection of accomplishments by making a book on every-day ethics, a rather broader conception of good manners than the idea suggested by the word ‘etiquette.’” -Town and Country, New York

“A first gentlewoman of America has undertaken to present us with a guide to good behavior…Mrs. Post has done society, in ultimate equation, a real and valuable service.” -Evening Telegram, New York

“Etiquette in society, business, politics, and the home is treated by a perfectly versed woman in this large volume. Mrs. Post is the author of ‘Purple and Fine Linen,’ ‘The Title Market,’ and ‘Letters of a Worldly Godmother.’ Mrs. Post is unquestionably an authority on the customs and manners of polite society, and her suggestions may be followed in confidence….There is a charm to Mrs. Post’s manner of stating things. She has the literacy graces which make her volume most readable and entertaining, as well as instructive.” -The Record, Philadelphia, PA

“Its’ because the age seems to need a realignment of the value of manners as much as anything else, that the book and the theory of its author seems worth while.’ -The Blade, Toledo, Ohio

“No, there is nothing boring about this etiquette tome of 1922. It does not stop with dogmatic assurance that the fork is always held in the right hand and that a gentleman does not wear full dress to the stock exchange….The whole entertaining, vivacious, spicy-savored volume is more concerned about the heart of etiquette, the real meaning of why, what, when, this, that and the other thing should be done– done not for form’s sake but for reasons of sterling worth from the viewpoint of common sense….In short, the book is invaluable to the average thinking man or woman who wishes to live today’s life in as polished and near-conventional a manner as possible.” -The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio