An intriguing look into a life and an age, spanning from the end of the American Civil War to the end of World War I, and the changing society therein. ( )

I learned that Emily Post was only human. I'm not sure how I feel about this sudden lack of pedestal. ( )

I was excited to get this book because I was interested in reading about this iconic woman. Unfortunately, I don't think this book ever gets to be a readable story of a life. I can't say for sure, because I have never been able to get very far before dozing off. I give the author 5 stars for the incredible research that was done, and even 5 stars for the intense writing. but this book gets only 1 star on the readability scale.from my point of view. I never felt that I got to "know" the woman, but was confronted with an encyclopedia of facts (not always chronological) and citations and references that ultimately spoil the reading experience. This book is great as a reference book, but not a very good biography for the layperson. ( )

I enjoyed this book immensely. The writing style is easy, accessible and very enjoyable.

The author seamlessly interweaves the life and history of Emily Post with the people and times of her life, giving a full portrait of what it was like to live in the "Gilded Age" and how a personality such as Emily Post was created.

My only real criticism is that the last few chapters felt more like listing the changes she made in her book, and her professional appearances rather than actually discussing her life. That got a little tiresome after a bit.

But over all an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in either her or the time she lived in.

And wow did that lady see lots of changes. ( )

Still cannot finish this, and I don't know if I ever will. I love a biography that keeps the story moving along to stay interesting for me, but there is just too much detail here for me to deal with. If nothing else Claridge can consider herself to have written the definitive Post biography, so well done there.