Sorry!: The English and Their Manners

A book that I really enjoyed. Much of the info I already knew but learning the background for the somewhat quirky behaviour of the English was great. Also a perfect present for my English friends!

I didn't realize that I was getting an entire HISTORY of manners so it is a little tedious. I'm only about 1/3 the way through because I read other books at the same time. I think he might have written it with some humor and a few pictures. It is interesting, but not a book you can't put down.

Enjoy his style of writing and I like that he researched it thoroughly. I would recommend to a book club even though it is more of an essay like book rather than a novel.

From the title, I assumed it would be a humourous work, perhaps in the style of Nora Ephron or David Sedaris. It is, in fact, a serious study of manners in England, in layman's language. If you want to be informed, this is it. If you want to be entertained, look elsewhere.

I found this book to be both informative and hilarious. Hitchings provides the framework for a deeper understanding of the many nuanced rituals of everyday life in the UK.

mildly enjoyable

The subject matter appears almost random. The flow of the text is rambling and the reader is left searching for a consistent theme. There are a few bright spots in which the reader is a has a "that's interesting" moment, but these are all too few and mostly the consistent question the reader has in mind while reading is "where is this heading?". The prose is pleasant, but overall the book is disappointing.

Exactly as described!

Not exactly what I was hoping to read. It is a history of morals from early ages to today. I was hoping it to be more modern but it is a very good read nevertheless.

What, on the surface, appears to be a dry subject becomes illuminating and entertaining in Mr Hitchings' hands.This scholarly and panoramic text was a joy to read, presented as ever in his inimitable and comprehensive prose.

Well researched and erudite ,it is done a disservice by some carping reviewers.Perhaps they account for it's availability for one penny in hardback. Better than most of this genre ,if you don't get on with it ,pass it on to any bookish person.

Not a book that you read cover to cover in one sitting. But one that you enjoy a chapter or two at a time, full of interesting ideas and facts. A good book to keep and keep dipping back into.

More of a sedate run through of a collection of mildly interesting stories regarding manners than anything particularly funny/informative. A bit of a disappointment, sadly!