The best behavior : the course of good manners-from antiquity to the present-as seen through courtesy and etiquette books / Esther B. Aresty

Includes index.

Part one:from antiquity to the renaissance -- an anciet papyrus -- the talmudic gentleman -- the italians lead the way -- the laggard french -- this is chivalry? -- manner makyth man: Part two: courts and courtesy -- tyhe ideal courtier -- priceless advise -- the tutor gentleman -- the compleat gentleman -- pleasing princes -- court french; uncouth english -- women, the baggage of life: Part 3: courtesy into etiquette -- a queen, two kings, and a beau -- 18th-century lessons in manners -- chersterfield, the spirit of etiquette -- georgian decorum -- civilities for servant -- know your place -- the cardboard barrier -- the foot in the mouth -- the english gentleman completed:Part four: the american way -- the incorrigible americans -- formidable american female -- republican brats -- help wanted -- the well-groomed americans -- the visiting americans -- the talkative americans -- the romantic americans -- new influences -- new oracles of behavior -- advanced etiquette for americans :part five: twentieth century changes -- signs of another revolution -- the age of emily post.

its a funny thing how a random question can set a whole project in motion-for example, this bok. It started when i was casually asked why americans cross the fork from the left hadn to the right each timethey cut food with a knife. Why don't they retain the fork in the left hand in the european way?