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Chronicle Books resuscitates the long-lost art of charm with this classic compendium of hints, tips, and tricks guaranteed to boost anyones charm q...
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Apr 11, 2011
Scarlett.speaks
rated it: 
This book was originally published in the 30's. And the only thing the publishers did when they chose to recirculate it was dress up the cover. But I knew I was reading something vintage when I bought it (actually ,that's why I bought it) so I wasn't disappointed.
Valentine and Thompson write this book knowing full well their readers probably already know etiquette. Or, at least enough etiquette to not completely embarrass themselves in polite society. I mean come on, it was the 30's. More...
Valentine and Thompson write this book knowing full well their readers probably already know etiquette. Or, at least enough etiquette to not completely embarrass themselves in polite society. I mean come on, it was the 30's. More...
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Nov 24, 2009
ModCloth
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“Every era has its own concept of charm,” reads the first sentence of Helen Valentine and Alice Thompson’s Better than Beauty. So where should we look to find the epitome of charm today? The Jerry Springer Show? MTV’s The Hills? Surely some hint of it must be seen on VH1’s Charm School 3 with Ricki Lake, right?
When I initially picked up this “Guide to Charm,” originally published in 1938, I wondered what relevance remained for a book that guides its readers on skincare for a generation More...
When I initially picked up this “Guide to Charm,” originally published in 1938, I wondered what relevance remained for a book that guides its readers on skincare for a generation More...
Jun 10, 2010
Claire
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Half of the book is devoted to a charming appearance... I agree with other reviewers that "Better than Beauty" is an ill-fitting title. I think that if you are "fastidious" in your appearance as a woman, then only read the second half of the book. That said, most of the advice and opinions offered there are surprisingly relevant & feminist. While the book concerns a subject that is more or less superficial, it is filled with a sort of wisdom about living peaceably with yourse
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Dec 15, 2008
Merriam
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This was a very, very nice book. Many people dismiss it as being dated, but in doing so they ignore the fact that it is based on very timeless principles. It reminds me a bit of How to Win Friends and Influence people, with more emphasis on appearance and less on persuasion, and although it isn't a self-help book to end all self-help books, I definitely recommend it. It is hardly dated at all! A few things in the first section are not relevant (who knows, they might be in a couple years) but the
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May 07, 2010
❥ Linz-E
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I got this book for free, and started to give it a read. Let me remind you of the title name:
BETTER than beauty, and guide to charm.
With that being said, the first 3/4 of the book was about beauty and how to take care of your body on the outside. I have to admit that more than once I caught myself checking the title to make sure I knew what I was reading. There wasn't any charm to the book. But I gave it a TWO star to encourage any lady that feels like she's stuck, or needs a l More...
BETTER than beauty, and guide to charm.
With that being said, the first 3/4 of the book was about beauty and how to take care of your body on the outside. I have to admit that more than once I caught myself checking the title to make sure I knew what I was reading. There wasn't any charm to the book. But I gave it a TWO star to encourage any lady that feels like she's stuck, or needs a l More...
Mar 21, 2010
K
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I like reading books about manners and etiquette from different decades. Some of the information is outdated, but the core principles of charm are beholden to no time period. This book was surprisingly modern and much of the information is repeated monthly in modern magazines aimed at women. A lot of the information is common sense, but a good reminder never hurt anyone.
Nov 23, 2009
Sweetman
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"While beauty makes a first impression, charm lasts a lifetime." A timeless little book that gently guides the reader through dress, conversation, manners, avoiding awkward situations and so much more. I am so glad Chronicle books reprinted this 1938 masterpiece. It's a little dated but worth a read.
Jan 24, 2012
Mary
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This book is fantastic! So funny (because it was written in 1938) BUT still surprisingly relevant to 2012 in many ways. My fav quote so far: "Everyone prefers a few extra pounds to a shrewish disposition." This was a Kindle deal ($1.99 I think) and it's a hoot! It's like reading advice from a spunky grandmother (in fact, I can actually imagine my own grandmother saying some of these things...) Love it!
Feb 24, 2011
Ariel
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Adorable and charming etiquette handbook written in 1938. Less about "charm" in the high-handed Lady of the Manor sense and more about the prewar American sense: no-nonsense, frugal, fastidious tidiness and modest manners.
Nov 11, 2009
Sarah
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Pretty antiquated, but also somewhat amusing. Check out my full review at http://blog.modcloth.com/2009-11-11-how-...
Jan 22, 2012
Michelle
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Interesting to read advice from 1938. However, not anything that should be taken seriously or as practical advice in today's day and age.
Jan 13, 2012
Amy
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This book was a quick and enjoyable read. Although it was written in the 40s, it contains timeless and valuable advice.
Jun 08, 2010
Rebecca
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Saw this randomly at a store and thought it was hilarious. I think it actually helped me to learn to be more charming.
Mar 03, 2008
Alissa
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An adorable classic, this quick read gives you timeless tips for charm and beauty with an interesting point of view. Because this book was origanally published in the 1930s, the reader quickly finds that the most useful ideas about skin care and how to be a lady are so basic they are often overlooked. This book was a fun read for me, I enjoyed finding out about being a lady while getting a lesson in what life was like for a woman in the 30's. I also liked that I could read it from cover to cover
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Jul 06, 2009
Amanda
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Published in 1938 - LOVE these sort of old beauty/etiquette books. Things seemed so simple then!
Jul 12, 2009
Kate
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A fun little book on charm. I read it rather quickly, so I'm not sure how much I may have actually learned, but it served as a reminder (because there are never enough!) to remember to think of others in our actions, interactions, and choices, in our daily lives.
Feb 20, 2010
Amadéa
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This is a fanastic little book. It was first published in 1938 but much of the advice is still poignant today, maybe even more so.
The book itself is fun and smart and never boring. It contains several humorous little pictures that make the book a joy to go through. It even contains an appendix of foods and their serving sizes that equal about 100 calories.
Very good read. Something I will refer to often.
The book itself is fun and smart and never boring. It contains several humorous little pictures that make the book a joy to go through. It even contains an appendix of foods and their serving sizes that equal about 100 calories.
Very good read. Something I will refer to often.
Nov 14, 2011
Molly
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Timeless advice, even though it was written in 1938. The first half is devoted to general upkeep of your appearance, but I interpreted the title to mean "better than being naturally beautiful," not "better than looking like you care about your appearance" so it didn't bother me too much.
Oct 05, 2007
Elyssa
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Some of the advice from this book, first published in 1938, is still useful today. Even if the wisdom is not applicable, it's interesting to read material from an earlier era. The old-school calorie counter in the appendix is quite funny.
Dec 16, 2009
Susan
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I didn't learn much that I didn't already know, but it was an enjoyable and very quick read. They tried to update it for the 21st Century but it didn't really work that well (how to choose a hat? Seriously?).
May 03, 2009
Mary
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Awesome, fabulous, entertaining, refreshing!
Mostly just common sense, bolstering you to keep it simple, and keep it real. Originally published in 1938, and not a whit less relevant. Read it!!
Mostly just common sense, bolstering you to keep it simple, and keep it real. Originally published in 1938, and not a whit less relevant. Read it!!
Oct 26, 2008
Miss Mouse
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I liked this. While the copyright was 2006, this seemed to be written for a long time ago. However, there was some good information. I enjoyed this book.
May 23, 2008
Adria
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LOL! One of the funniest books I've read in a long time -- really puts the whole 1940s/50s view of 'feminine charm' into perspective!!
Dec 17, 2009
Carolyn
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A gentle reminder of how ladies behaved nearly a century ago, and how easy it can be for anyone to turn up the charm without insincerity.
