The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners and Tableware

Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference book for all students of table art.
Review: As a ceramics student, I picked up The Art of the Table to do some research on current formal food service and eating rituals. This book has provided me with more information than I ever would have imagined. It has everything for everybody: how to set the table for the domestic artist to what happens over time to different types of ceramic wares if they are chipped or broken for the ceramic or glass artist. If you are interested in what goes into things that go on your table, buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: For enthusiasts only
Review: I bought this book after reading a favorable review in the Christian Science Monitor, but was disappointed. There is lots of pretension here and a fair amount of information, but relatively little practical advice.

For example, I looked in vain for guidance as to what kind of dinnerware I should favor if I planned to wash it in the dishwasher, or what sorts might allow me to dispense with putting a layer of padding between each plate when I store it in the cupboard. The section on flatware begins with a chapter called "From Silver to Sterling"--hardly the relevant range in my opinion. If you look carefully, there is a page or two about stainless steel, but you get the distinct impression that this is not the book for those of us who allow base metals to touch our lips.

There are 16 pages of good-looking photographs in a separate section, but otherwise the illustrations consist of small drawings, and these are sparse. Who would have thought that you could write a chapter called "How to Lay Dinnerware" with no illustrations at all?

The book's layout is extravagant, but the prose style is weak. The individual sentences are clear, if not elegant, but they seldom marshall themselves into engaging paragraphs, and the paragraphs often seem distincly unrelated to their neighbors.

All in all, the book's author unquestionably knows more that you do about the subject matter, but she seems to have neither the skill nor any real interest in communicating this knowledge. It is a self-indulgent book.

Rating:
Summary: All what you need to entertain like a Princess
Review: I loved this book as it contains tons of useful information. You don't need to read it all, if you wish, but, it's worth having it for reference.

The Art of the Table helped me in making my mind about the pieces of tableware I should buy considering my "entertaining" style and the courses I usually serve to my guests. She is not pretentious or snob and clearly advises you to buy the best quality of tableware you can afford and forget about buying silver, for example, if you simply don't have the budget.

I also love the detail. It's the first book of the many I own on table settings that tells me what are the differences between the three possible coffee cups you can buy (coffee, after-dinner coffee and demitasse). Not bad as I live in Italy and Italians are crazy about coffee!!

My advice: simply buy it.

Rating:
Summary: A most excellent book
Review: I so wish I had found this book ten years ago when I got married! My mother doesn't have much china; she has no silver and no crystal. My mother-in-law's china has been locked up in her attic for thirty-eight years. I married my high school sweetheart right after he graduated from medical school. lol!

When I registered for my place settings, I registered for what the clerk told me to, not knowing anything about why I would need rimmed soup bowls instead of cream soup bowls, etc. I chose at the time not to register for sterling, but rather good stainless, a move I now regret. I just didn't understand what I needed and why.

I have been doing well over the years by watching other people at dinner parties and learning on the spot. Also, I had a good etiquette book, so I was able to make it through the world of entertaining until now.

This book is a Godsend! It is far more comprehensive than a regular etiquette book, and I am especially enjoying the history lessons of both the tableware pieces and the roots of some of the food-related sayings we still have today (like "to whet the appetite"). I am actually reading it cover to cover, and then will most likely use it as a reference piece.

Now that I have been married ten years, I have decided to finish my china collection, start a sterling collection and completely redo my crystal collection. I don't think I could do any of that properly without this book. I finally have an understanding of what pieces I need, as well as what to do now that my china pattern has been discontinued. Yes, the book is very very comprehensive-- who knew there were so many knives!!! And, yes, I won't need to purchase every piece of every collection. But, isn't it nice to know that these pieces exist and how to properly use them?

This book preserves the history of tableware. If this book wasn't this comprehensive, would the art of the table be lost? I think so! The author even mentions that, for instance, luncheon plates are not needed in many cases today since so many women work outside of the home, and women don't luncheon much any more. She is well-aware of her purpose in this book, which is to be comprehensive.

This book is well-worth the money, and I do believe I will start to give it as a bridal shower gift.



Rating:
Summary: Using the Right Fork for Breakfast at Tiffany's
Review: My best friend, who collects silver, recommended this book to me; the combination of THE ART OF THE TABLE and eBay is a dangerous, but pleasurable one.

I was afraid it would simply be an extremely high-ticket etiquette manual. While it explains what fork to use -- and I never knew there were so many kinds of forks! -- it also explains the history and craftsmanship behind flatware and dishes with a fascination I could well appreciate and a level of knowledge I had to respect.

The level of care and detail is intimidating. I rather doubt I'll ever entertain in diplomatic circles, which is kind of a shame because now I'd know what to do! For daily life, I'd say more care&feeding of tableware is definitely indicated, and I'd be glad of a maintenance section: what to do when things scratch, things break, etc. And I'm going to put my sterling in the dishwasher ANYHOW.

Reading this book is like looking at holiday catalogues: you understand why they used to be called wishbooks. I'm proud, however, that my friends say I set a lovely table (they're good guests, which is an art in itself), and I'm determined now NOT to keep the "good stuff" stored away because it's too good to use.

von Drachenfels has added to my quality of life, as well as my credit-card balance. I'd say I came out the winner.

Rating:
Summary: An eye opening read about high-end dinning
Review: This book is filled with details about dinning, plate service, silverware, glassware, and so much more. Granted much of the information contained in this book is not useful in everyday life, as the progression of tableware is much beyond what we normally use, the extra tidbits of information is very enlightening. I like this book because it explains everything you could possibly encounter. I found that the pictures of silverware, and tableware to be very helpful.

Drachenfels writes with a great style that makes the reading effortless. She writes a thorough history of tableware, and manners how they have developed through the ages. Sometimes the reasoning behind a specific manner can be very intriguing. While the book calls itself a complete guide to table setting, manners, and tableware, I feel its main focus is on the tableware and table setting. This is not the complete guide to manners.

The book is a fascinating read if you are interesting in dinning, and is very helpful for setting a table, and selection of tableware. The book is well written, easy to read, and has many illustrations for examples of what is being discussed. The Art of the Table is also very interesting from a historical perspective and how dinning has evolved in the West over the years.

Rating:
Summary: An eye opening read about high-end dinning
Review: This book is filled with details about dinning, plate service, silverware, glassware, and so much more. Granted much of the information contained in this book is not useful in everyday life, as the progression of tableware is much beyond what we normally use, the extra tidbits of information is very enlightening. I like this book because it explains everything you could possibly encounter. I found that the pictures of silverware, and tableware to be very helpful.

Drachenfels writes with a great style that makes the reading effortless. She writes a thorough history of tableware, and manners how they have developed through the ages. Sometimes the reasoning behind a specific manner can be very intriguing. While the book calls itself a complete guide to table setting, manners, and tableware, I feel its main focus is on the tableware and table setting. This is not the complete guide to manners.

The book is a fascinating read if you are interesting in dinning, and is very helpful for setting a table, and selection of tableware. The book is well written, easy to read, and has many illustrations for examples of what is being discussed. The Art of the Table is also very interesting from a historical perspective and how dinning has evolved in the West over the years.

Rating:
Summary: For Art- of- the- Table Afficianados
Review: This book makes for great reading and reference for anyone who loves silver, china, crystal, manners, entertaining, or the history of dining. There is plenty of good information for novices looking for their first patterns, as well. The history of the evolution of sterling silver designations, and the differences among types of china and stoneware are well described and interesting. Especially helpful is practical advice for choosing and combining patterns. The book is informative even for those already familiar with the topics.