Another nineteenth-century question
March 13, 2011 1:42 PM Subscribe
In the United States of the nineteenth century, was Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management ever popular among housewives, and if not, was there a single volume that was as recommended among women?
I'm not asking with reference to cookbooks specifically, but rather to a volume that encompasses cooking together with basic first-aid, child care, household budgeting, laundry, and employment advice as Mrs. Beeton's did. It seems that a copy of Mrs. Beeton's would be a fair amount of use for an American housewife, especially one who would like to do things in an English fashion, but the price-point discussions would be much less useful, unless perhaps there were differing overseas editions.
I'm not asking with reference to cookbooks specifically, but rather to a volume that encompasses cooking together with basic first-aid, child care, household budgeting, laundry, and employment advice as Mrs. Beeton's did. It seems that a copy of Mrs. Beeton's would be a fair amount of use for an American housewife, especially one who would like to do things in an English fashion, but the price-point discussions would be much less useful, unless perhaps there were differing overseas editions.
Here's a late 19th century review with recommendations for the Housekeeper's Library from Anna Barrows, author of several early 20th century cookbooks.
posted by zepheria at 2:03 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by zepheria at 2:03 PM on March 13, 2011
This is in a particular niche but it has fairly canonical status, afaik.
How To Run A Traditional Jewish Home
posted by Salamandrous at 2:15 PM on March 13, 2011
How To Run A Traditional Jewish Home
posted by Salamandrous at 2:15 PM on March 13, 2011
Oops wrong century, sorry!
posted by Salamandrous at 2:15 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by Salamandrous at 2:15 PM on March 13, 2011
More context--"The American Woman's Home" (1869) was written by sisters Catherine E. Beecher And Harriet Beecher Stowe (yes, HBS), and sold well. It contains "aesthetic and practical considerations about house design, fireplaces, stoves, etc." as well as "their thoughts on "[h]ealthful food and drinks, good cooking (no recipes), the value of fasting and eating less meat - all of these topics are covered in this volume. In addition there is much on care of the sick, and medical recipes; and on gardens, plants and animals."
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:28 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:28 PM on March 13, 2011
I didn't know I wanted to read From Catharine Beecher to Martha Stewart: A Cultural History of Domestic Advice but it looks interesting, and potentially of use to you in answering your question.
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:55 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:55 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
Perfection Salad: Women and Cooking at the Turn of the Century" actually has quite a lot about 19th century stuff. I don't remember specific super-popular books off the top of my head, but I know a lot more about general cooking/housekeeping culture of the 19th century than I did.
posted by Frowner at 3:21 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by Frowner at 3:21 PM on March 13, 2011
"The American Woman's Home" that MonkeyToes linked to has a forward (I just discovered) that lists some other books that were popular before it, if you want something from a couple decades earlier.
posted by small_ruminant at 3:25 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by small_ruminant at 3:25 PM on March 13, 2011
I've heard the Catherine Beecher book discussed a lot in Women's History circles - I'm not sure how much impact it actually had in terms of number of copies sold or how many women took it to heart, but it's an often cited primary source on women and domesticity in the 19th century.
I have a fantastic book (part cookbook, part history text) called A Thousand Years Over A Hot Stove which discusses the culinary aspect of this sort of thing.
posted by Sara C. at 3:55 PM on March 13, 2011
I have a fantastic book (part cookbook, part history text) called A Thousand Years Over A Hot Stove which discusses the culinary aspect of this sort of thing.
posted by Sara C. at 3:55 PM on March 13, 2011
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posted by MonkeyToes at 1:56 PM on March 13, 2011