The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook: The First Guide to What Really Matters in Life

by Ann Barr

Product Details 159 pages St. Martin's Press (1983) English 0312582293 978-0312582296 Product 7.9 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches Shipping 2.4 ounces

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Humor

141 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Tracy Scharbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

So you know who were horrible people? Sloanes. Rich, bored, British kids in the 80's who decided that they set the barometer for coolness for their entire rich, bored, generation. With this book you can learn what they wore and how they wore it, where they shopped, where they went to school, what they ate, and what was their accepted level of religiosity. And they were despicable! Insincere, sarcastic, absurd little cretins who were completely obsessed with their own importance. I mean, don't get me wrong--it's a really genuinely fascinating look into a world that I could never, and would never want to, belong in. I appreciate that it was an up-to-the-minute guide for any aspiring Sloanes out there and not a post-Sloane sociological report. But that means that you get to experience the Sloane mindset in all its oozing, self-involved, absurd glory. So, you know... There's that.

[Brett Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

hilarious - a perfect description of untouchable poshness. Enlightening for an American to note our similarities and differences. This along with The Official Preppy Handbook are my behavioral guides.

[DoctorM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A guide to a lost world, and one that I suspect we'll come to miss here in the new age. Thatcherite Conservatism and then New Labour destroyed most of the old Sloane world. Whatever you can say for the New Britain of the Year Ten (more meritocratic, more open to innovation), reading this book reminds you that money doesn't equal class, and that the old-guard Sloanes did embody virtues that a chavs-and-new rich Britain sadly lacks.

[cloudyskye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very amusing and perceptive. Dated perhaps, but there are still some good tips. Read this and watch "To the manor born" ...

[^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty years on this social class is still entirely recognisable. Human social nature doesn’t change; though technical innovations and generational turnover do. Mobile ‘phones have since come a long way – from non-existence, to ‘bricks, to slim pocket-sized. The manufacturer’s makes of powered garden machinery owned now may now be slightly different; however quantity owned remains unchanged (at high). Private school term fees quoted back then look distinctly attractive now. Perfect table manners continue unchanged; there is no let-up in the inheritance of high quality bone china dinner services, despite Wedgewood (and too many others) going into administration.

All in all this book remains a good read for those who remember the early 1980’s; and a historical curiosity (“so that’s why I do such & such that way!”) to those too young to remember those days.

Present day rich kids, scions of the new classless celebrity and business families could benefit greatly from following their forebears in learning and applying the social codes which underpin this book, and which promote apology and taking responsibility as and when fun does get out of hand.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve owned this book for a number of years, and have flicked through it many times, but never properly read it until now. Written by Ann Barr and Peter York, it was first published in 1982, when Prince Charles and Princess Diana were newlyweds, so it’s obviously dated, but I suspect things haven’t really moved on much in terms of class and attitudes.

The work is a close and totally hilarious examination of the life of a “sloane ranger“, following Henry and Caroline, their friends, family, and their children from birth through to death. No stone is unturned as we learn everything about upper class life.

The most important rules for how to be a sloane are covered first, including where you must live (usually an SW postcode), what really matters in life (background, the past, the status quo), language (no French derivations or Americanisms), and many other things.

The book isn’t meant to be taken seriously, it’s just a really really hysterical piece of literary satire. Light-hearted social commentary. Reading it won’t change your life, but it will stop you embarrassing yourself in front of an upper class person if you are about to ask for a handful of serviettes because there’s no paper in the toilet.

Recommended reading if you’re interested in the British class system, especially the upper class. It’s a quick and easy read, and you may actually learn something from it. One realisation I came to is that the working class and upper class have much more in common with each other than either does with the aspiring middle class.

[Becky Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like I've been reading this book forever; it's a slow go because it's not a story. Rather, it's bibs and bobs of how Sloanes become and maintain Sloandom. It's hilarious and wry, strange and wonderful. And every chapter includes helpful tidbits, like the phone numbers and addresses of the swanky places Sloanes shop and school.

Finishing the reading of the book whilst watching season four of "The Crown"--well. Just in time for Diana, her royal Sloaness.

[Tabitha Ormiston-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather disappointing; I had for some reason expected it to be extremely funny.

[RebL · Rating 3 out of 5]

The English equivalent of The Official Preppy Handbook, and from the same time period, too. interesting from a cultural perspective. Got this one through Interlibrary Loan.

[Wan Lin Qin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny AF

[Moryma · Rating 4 out of 5]

UK version of The Preppy Handbook - very 80's, quite fun.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best at being the worst. This ALMOST makes me nostalgic for Old School Conservatives.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it's now 25 years out of date it was an interesting read and so much of it still rings true today, i think. Was quite amused to see a lot of aspects of my very un-Sloane 80s childhood echoed in the 'childhood' section though - kilts, smocking, Peter Rabbit china, 'proper toys', lots of books and daily walks - so maybe some aspects of the books were far more wide-ranging!

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly detailed and meticulous description of the Sloane lifestyle. Some info is outdated - the book was written in early 80s- but lots of things never change for this social class. And I just love Peter York's irony and sense of humoour. A must-read for anyone who is into British culture and social class system.