Author article: ‘The Hidden rules of etiquette’ as featured by

WDYTYA? Magazine, March 2021

What I particularly loved about this book was the way it was written. It is a well-researched study, detailing the intricacies of nineteenth-century etiquette, but it is accompanied by witty remarks which helps to make the book an easy read. I especially enjoyed the comparisons with modern day society, especially in the first chapter, which helps us to relate these customs with our lives now. As a fan of fashion history, I also loved the beautiful images in this book especially the fashion plates and the small focus on fashion in some of the chapters. I found it really interesting to learn about the etiquette of the attire of a gentleman, as this was something I haven't really learnt or read about before.

Read the full review here

That Herstorian

As referenced in author review

Inside History, issue 2

Author features as reviewer

WDYTYA? Magazine, October 2019

Full Review-
A Writer's Blog

A Writer's Blog, July 2019

James’ writing style was fun and engaging, making this book absolutely unputdownable for me. No matter how interesting a subject is, there are often times that I will set the book aside in favor of other activities. I never felt this way as I was reading this book, however, which shows you just how much fun it was to read.

Read the full review here

Geeky Bibliophile

This is a delightful, eccentric and thoroughly English book, which dissects the finer points of 19th-century manners while remaining accessible and entertaining to the modern reader.

Jane Austen's Regency World, November/December 2018 - reviewed by by Joceline Bury

Ever wondered how ladies and gentlemen are supposed to behave? You will find all the answers in this book... This is a great book for those interested in social history.

Read the full review here

A Line from a Book - Jennifer Sahmoun

It’s a fun read - James is often tongue-incheek - but also informative and full of tit-bits that might explain and make easier to understand many small but possibly significant aspects of the Ripper story.

Ripperologist, June/July 2018 – reviewed by Paul Begg

★★★★★ Drawing upon research into contemporary advice and guidance, Elegant Etiquette is both fun and compelling reading for anyone with an interest in this period. In exploring the expectations of behavior and etiquette, it seeks to bring the world of the nineteenth century back to life.

Read the complete review online here.

GoodReads, Mallory James

An amusing yet informative take on good manners and behaviour in years gone by.

The cover alone evidences the off-beat tone used in the content which includes fashion, politics and acceptable social behaviours of both genders.

Incorporating behaviours between social classes, it looks at marital and class status too. This charming book offers a selection of black and white photography showing the intricacies of 19c fashion.

An amusing read, of potential value to a historical writer needing to research characteristics of people from this era.

Read the review online here.

For the Love of Books

★★★★★ There are always things we can learn from the past and it is important to learn and remember. Another great little volume from Pen & Sword and one that I particularly recommend to anybody interested in XIX century history, novels, movies set in the period, and to writers and creators looking for inspiration or researching that era. It is also a fun read for people that study social history or are interested in the origins of some of our customs and on how these have changed. Unmissable.

Read the complete review here.

Olga Núñez Miret, Author/translator Blog

This enjoyable book is packed full of revealing facts and unexpected information. Despite its relatively low page count, it is a comprehensive volume that leaves few -if any - stones unturned when it comes to social occasions. Perhaps aware of the occasionally obscure customs that she is dealing with, James ensues that each chapter goes into the social mores of the matter in question, explaining important topics ranging from precedence and rank to marriage and employing households servants, among others.

All of this adds up to a very entertaining read and one that casual researchers and those looking for a quick guide to etiquette will find invaluable. Authors of 19th-century fiction in particular will certainly find it a useful addition to their bookshelves!

All About History, April 2018

For fans of fun facts this book is definitely recommended. And sometimes the book made me long for the time where we also did some more manners in the Netherlands. "Normal practice" seems to become the social standard, but what is that?

A nice idea to think about during a cup of tea.

Read the complete review here.

My Inner Victorian

Covering the intricacies of rank, the niceties of the street, the good conduct that was desired in the ballroom and the awkward blunders that a lady or gentleman would want to avoid, this is a lively, occasionally tongue-in-cheek discourse on nineteenth century manners and conduct. Based on advice given in the etiquette manuals of the time a useful reference for anyone interested in this fascinating period. And the Notes on each chapter and bibliography provide pointers for delving further into the world of polite society 200 years ago.

Julian Stockwin - Action-adventure historical fiction

An amusing yet informative take on good manners and behaviour in years gone by.
The cover alone evidences the off-beat tone used in the content which includes fashion, politics and acceptable social behaviours of both genders.

Incorporating behaviours between social classes, it looks at marital and class status too. This charming book offers a selection of black and white photography showing the intricacies of 19c fashion.

An amusing read, of potential value to a historical writer needing to research characteristics of people from this era.

For the Love of Books

The book is obviously well-researched, citing several etiquette guides published during the 19th century, used by the very people who followed the rules within them.

Elegant Etiquette also features several glossy black and white photos of 19th century garments and accessories, a perfect addition to the chapter on etiquette relating to fashion.

Read the complete review here.

The Lazy Historian, Jill Hamilton

As featured in

Ripperologist, December 2017 – January 2018

Basis of nineteenth-century manners article by Thomas Blaikie

The Lady, 2nd February 2018

★★★★★ Smart, witty, daintily and sassy-worded chapters about inherited/familial ranks and titles versus those earned from military service, offering and accepting social calls inside and out (like the most ideal time to be seen walking or riding, choosing and seating guests effectively during a dinner party), dancing (not accepting food, drink, or dances from strangers), speaking, writing letters (on stationary featuring a family crest, calling cards), hiring servants (on recommendation, never publicly berating them), marriage (wedding tours/honeymoons) and domestic life (fashion, jewelry, and hygiene).

GoodReads, Kristine Fisher

List feature: '5 steps to 19th-century etiquette'

All About History, February 2018