 | |
List Price: $11.95 | | Publisher: Broadway
Salesrank: 129534
Released: September 12, 2006 |
| Our Price: $7.11 |
| Used Price: $3.99 |
|
| Media: Paperback |
|
Editorial Review:
Who knows what lurks in the hearts of the women of Dixie? A Southern Belle Primer tells us all. In this rollicking guide to survival in a society that has not gone with the wind, the mystique of the Southern belle is exposed. Maryln Schwartz’s cult classic and perennial bestseller returns with a new look to steer the next generation of belles through the enduring world of Southern propriety and protocol.
Being a belle is not a part-time job—it’s a cradle-to-grave commitment—and A Southern Belle Primer covers it all. With anecdotes, observations, lists, and delightful illustrations, the Primer delves into family trees, big hair, the Twelve Patterns of the Silver Zodiac (everyone knows girls who choose certain silver patterns are fast), the fashion calendar (the do-or-die seasonal etiquette of patent leather, gloves, and stockings), honorary belles, wannabe belles, fallen belles, and even why Paris Hilton will never be a Kappa Kappa Gamma.
The Primer also reveals shocking real-life stories from contemporary Southern belle history: the truth behind the Garden Club wars in Natchez, Mississippi, the Chattanooga woman shunned by society for a faux pas in her chicken salad recipe, and the disastrous white-shoe-in-September affair during the Texas visit of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.
What The Official Preppy Handbook did for the madras-and-penny-loafer set A Southern Belle Primer does for the indestructible ladies from below the Mason–Dixon Line, in an uproarious guide to navigating a society that continues to fascinate people the world over.
A Southern Belle Primer: Or Why Paris Hilton Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma Reviews:
Funny, true-ish guide to Southern women 
2009-05-25 - Not only I, but my daughters and husband have loved and reread this book over the years till it wore out. The thing is, we're from a Southern background but have lived outside the South since childhood. The book was so much fun to read that I left it in the guest room, and very enlightening about our relatives and friends in the South.
It includes plenty of actually useful information, and a lot of fun things about traditions in the South. The good ones, not the bad ones.
So glad there is a new edition! I wish the writer would write one on Southern men now!
Terrific Read 
2008-04-11 - This is the 5th one I've purchased for my daughters and neices. My mother being a belle herself from New Orleans, I was raised on these principles. What a delightful way to pass down this knowledge to my girls. Its a fast and hysterical read, we laughed so hard on our trip to Atlanta we had to pull over. I recommend this for any lady who lives below the Mason Dixon line.
lower expectations 
2007-12-28 - I found a reference to this book in the Sweet Potatoe Queens book (hilarious!). I thought this Primer would likewise be funny. Not so. It simply explained all the fluff that southern ladies went through back in the 60's and perhaps still do to some extent. Pretty boring stuff, just explanations of excesses.
Disguised as Humor
2007-09-19 - I loved this book when it came out in 1990 (right?). I see it has been somewhat updated. It contains very helpful, true information. I just wish it wasn't all disguised as humor. Many of my friends didn't like this book because they thought it was making fun of us.
Good Overview of Southern Ways
2007-08-01 - This is the same basic book as, "Why Princess Margaret will never be a Kappa..."
It offers good insight into Southern women/culture in a lighthearted way.
Great for someone moving to the South or a young woman going to college in the South for the first time.
Easy and fun to read.
