From Fox Hunting to Whist-the Facts of Daily Life in Nineteenth-Century England

Like some other readers with a knowledge of 19th century history, I found this book to be full of errors. There are also errors in the references to the plots and characters of the handful of 19th century novels to which the author refers.
It was also very repetitive; sometimes the same piece of information is repeated three times in as many pages.
The book needed to be edited and fact-checked.

WHAT JANE AUSTEN ATE AND CHARLES DICKENS KNEW: FROM FOX HUNTING TO WHIST -- THE FACTS OF DAILY LIFE IN 19TH-CENTURY ENGLAND by Daniel Pool is a very enjoyable read about the hundreds of details of daily life that informed the novels from Jane Austen to Thomas Hardy. It was more engaging than I thought it would be, and now that I know it better, I will keep it handy for when I read any works by Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, George Eliot and William Thackeray. Pool uses examples from novels as the rule (with occasional actual events as illustrative material) so that those familiar with these works can see what these events meant to the author and original readers of such novels as Mansfield Park, The Eustace Diamonds, Oliver Twist, Vanity Fair, Jude the Obscure and Middlemarch.

The book is divided into two parts: the first of 255 pages, is the basic text, divided into sections by topic (such as "Public Life," "Private Life" and "The Grim World"), which is the section you can sit down to read, and then say to your significant other, "Wow! Did you know that there were more than 200 offenses in early 19th century Britain punishable by death, including stealing from a shop?" and, "Women alternated which side they rode side-saddle on to avoid developing an overly enhanced buttock!" The last 135 pages of the book comprise a glossary of terms like "ague" and "ha-ha" (which I looked up while reading Mansfield Park recently-- it is a sunken fence used as an invisible landscaping device).

The first section (the text sections) is easy and interesting to read, and I loved having examples from Austen and Middlemarch used, because I've read most of Austen and that one George Eliot novel. The best thing, I think, about the book is that it provides a wonderful context for 19th-century British fiction and makes me want to read Hardy, Trollope, and even Dickens, in whom I have not had much interest before. Also, I enjoyed learning the origins of terms common in our language and culture, like what "the bar" originally was in the structure of English law, and that the term "pub" comes from "public house." I also found some of the class strictures fascinating, such as how it was considered absurd to have footmen who were not the same height, and how a host and hostess would have to line all their guests up for dinner and pair them off according to rank. This, obviously, was a minefield of possible offenses and social disasters for those doing the pairings!

The fault I have with the book is minor, and that is that because it is written, it seems, primarily as a reference book, even the text sections can be a little repetitive, mentioning some fact in several places because it is relevant in more than one context. Also, it just kind of, bang!, starts with a section on money and, bang!, ends with a section on funerals, with no transitional or ending text, aside from a brief, spearate introduction by the author at the beginning. I think some might fault the author for trying to cover an entire century (think of the differences in culture and daily routine from 1901 and 1999), but I felt this was not a weakness: with the use of the novels' range in publication, he is able to make distinctions and give a gloss of the history and culture of the century that is useful for the his purposes.

But I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes the above-mentioned authors and novels or to anyone who would like to read them. I think this is a worthwhile companion, and, again, it makes me even more interested in reading the fiction of the time.

Oh, what a wonderful, living, time machine of a book. The subject is "daily life in 19th century England." More directly, the book is addressed to anyone who ever read a book by Dickens, Austen, or one of the Bronte sisters, and found themselves struggling along as best they could to grasp the importance of whist, calling cards, and the different types of carriages.

I would think that if you're a fan of Victorian literature, you'll love this book, but honestly, I'm not a fan of Victorian literature, and I enjoyed it intensely. We live in a rapidly-changing, diverse, multicultural society now, and while this certainly has its strong points, there seems to be some pleasure in reminding ourselves of the vitality and strength of English society at the height of its 19th century influence. Somewhere underneath our current world, we subconsciously sense a shared heritage here worth remembering (and this has nothing to do with bloodlines; I'm Czech by blood, but still feel the power of a world I care about stirring back to life in this book.)

It is -- for lack of a better word -- fun -- to read through these various explanations and to see this forgotten world coming back together. How do I make change, what are shillings and pence again? How do you play the card game, "whist?" What terms of address are people of different social ranks supposed to use with each other? Why are the English eating pudding all the time in these novels? What's the difference between a brougham and a curricle? When am I supposed to leave my calling card, and to whom? And what are all these dances that Elizabeth and Darcy are doing?

Victorian literature allows readers to swim in this cultural landscape but never really explains it. One just has to try to pick it all up by osmosis. That's actually a perfectly good way to learn about a culture, but for those of us who like a little more straightforward explanation, this book fits the bill.

It's as though you took the Time Machine back to 1835, made your way along as best you could for a while, and finally someone sits you down and says, "OK, THIS is how all this works. Use THIS spoon, and don't call Mr. So-and-so that, it's rude, etc. . . " The light bulb finally goes on in your head, and you feel much better.

If the book simply explained all this stuff without being vivid and fun, I wouldn't give it five stars. But it's written with a lively humor and contagious affection. I raced through it, and I think most other interested readers would as well.

If you love to read historical novels, whether they be the classics of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and Anthony Trollope, or historical romances by such authors as Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn, this is a great book for you. It will also appeal to history buffs, and those with just a passing interest in the social customs and etiquette of bygone days.
Accessible and covering a broad range of topics, it's a reference book that touches on everything from social hierarchy (an Earl outranks the eldest son of a Marquis who outranks the younger son of a Duke, the eldest son of a Duke, however, ranks above an Earl and just below a Marquis), how to name your estate (what is the difference between a hall, a manor and a house?), how to play Faro (you need a machine to deal), manage the servants (especially when they're just not getting the silver bright enough) and walk with a member of the opposite sex (a gentleman, remember, always walks on the side nearest the street).
The book also includes an extensive glossary of terms of the period (just what is a costermonger and a mantua-maker?) It is also filled with literary references and citations from the great British 19th-century authors, including those mentioned above. Don't worry if you haven't read any of the books, the references are used to illustrate points, though this book may inspire you to finally pick up a few of those classics you've always been meaning to read.
My one complaint about this book is that it's just not as thorough as I would have liked. It covers a wide range of topics, and in trying to keep the book readable, it only touches the surface rather than becoming deeply involved in any one topic.
As an overall reference book, it's very good, and is very useful to anyone who might be writing a novel set in this period, or just enjoys reading books set in 19th-century England.
The closest book I am aware of to this book is "The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England" by Kristine Hughes, which follows in the same general reference covering a lot of topics, but without the references to classic novels. Also, the recent "An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England" by Venetia Murray is a collection of accounts of some of the most notorious real people of the era. And for the literary angle, "A Dab of Dickens and a Touch of Twain" by Elliot Engel offers a biographical overview of many of the authors referred to in this book.

Thank goodness! Finally I am clear on just what this "whist" game is that everybody in every nineteenth century British novel is always playing! I also understand the gout that troubled all the fashionable baronets, why Lydia Bennet and George Wickham were at first believed to have gone to Gretna Green, why the eldest daughter is never introduced by her first name, and the Chancery Court that plagued "Bleak House." I have learned the rules of good behavior for ladies, how to pay calls, address my betters, be presented at court, and dozens of other rules, facts and tidbits that have added a new level of depth and enjoyment to my favorite novels. This book is full of fascinating information and no fan of nineteenth century British literature should be without it. Since receiving it for Christmas, I have not read a single novel by Dickens, Austen or the Bronte sisters without having this handy guide within arm's reach. Much of the confusion is gone from "Bleak House," "Wuthering Heights," "Jane Eyre," and "Pride and Prejudice." I enjoy these wonderful novels that much more for this absorbing book, which is so interesting that sometimes, after referencing a particular something, I find it difficult to put down this guide and return to my Dickens. Definitely a must for those who, like me, enjoyed reading "Mansfield Park," and "Oliver Twist," but occasionally found themselves baffled by the complex rules of nineteenth century English society.

History fans and lovers of 19th Century literature will adore this wonderful guide to the everyday lives of people in England in that era. Everything you might care to know about work, transportation, dress, play, manners and morals and so much more is here. Perhaps you have a novel in the works about a Victorian British family and there is a question about inheritance of property? Well, the answer about who would be in line to inherit the family mansion is right here. Want to add a juicy sub-plot about a grave robber? Well, that's here as well! There's also a great deal to familiarize yourself with the language of the day.

This book is a marvelous and enjoyable research tool that will enhance your enjoyment of literature and films set in this period. History buffs will find this book to be quite a pleasurable read that they will refer to frequently. The glossary adds to the value, and I highly recommend What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox Hunting to Whist - The Facts of Daily Life in Neneteenth-Century England.

A highly readable if incomplete reference of life in 19th Century Britain.

A word of warning, this book should not be taken as a detailed study of the time. Someone seriously researching the subject should probably look elsewhere. That said, it offers a fascinating glimpse into various aspects of Regency and Victorian life, answering many of the questions any contemporary fan of Dickens, Austen, Gaskell, or Eliot, might have. It would also prove to be a useful reference for historical romance authors.

What was the social difference in status conscious 19th century Britain between a vicar and a rector? How does one address a Duke? What does one call the wife of a Marquess? And who is higher ranking? Were governesses really as downtrodden as Jane Eyre? Could one actually be found libel for breaking off an engagement? Boarding school politics and information about British holidays and currency, all these things are briefly described.

Written in an engaging style, this entertaining volume is a useful resource for authors and historybuffs alike.

This is a handy-dandy reference guide for readers of 19th century fiction. The first two-thirds of the book are a collection of mini-essays providing an overview of the social and political scene of Regency and Victorian England. These are interesting and informative reading. I dedicated a good bit of my master's program to studying 19th century British literature, and there was quite a bit in here that I didn't know. But they're sometimes a little scant. 100 years provides a lot of space for social customs and institutions to evolve, and in some of these essays a more orderly timeline of that evolution would have been helpful. For the most part the topics are spot on, and it is a good basic social history of the period. The latter third of the novel is a glossary which is somewhat less impressive. Some of these terms are truly obscure, and their inclusion in the glossary could be beneficial for most readers, but other terms--like ague--can be interpreted by anyone with a pocket dictionary.

This is an amazing book for those looking to know more about life in Georgian and Regency England, or even if you are just looking for a companion to help you understand some of the books written in that time period.

It is broken down in sections and I liked how it gave examples to help with some of the more difficult topics, making it significantly more easy to understand.

This is a must have to anyone wanting to know more about that era, you won't regret the purchase.

If you've read everything by Austen, lots of Trollope and Dickens, you'll enjoy this survey of 19th century English society. I found much in this book that filled in the missing pieces of my understanding of the unwritten rules of this era.
The book is divided into two parts: the first has more lengthy explanations of various aspects of Victorian society--marriage, the military, class, money, law, parliament, etc. Diagrams of class rank and period illustrations are helpful. Quotes from some of the most famous novels of the time are used to illustrate the explanations. There are brief histories of the monarchs interspersed throughout, as well as some medieval history that explains how many of the customs came to be. The second half is a dictionary of commom terms you'll come across in novels from the period.
While the editing of this book leaves a little to be desired, it is an enjoyable read and a decent reference. Serious anglophiles will find it very basic, but the avid novel reader who's history is only "so-so" will find it invaluable.

This was a very enjoyable book. The background it provides helps me to understand the social contexts and the way of life of the folks Austen and Dickens (and their many fellow writers) wrote about.
The book is a series of small essays that offer insight into a specific topic. These essays are grouped into helpful sections such as The Public World, The Private World, and The Grim World. They are all entertaining and help those of us who know little of those times to get a handle on some basic notions.
The one caution I would offer is that a century is a long time. Fashion, technology, politics, and everything else changes many times over the decades. However, these essays seem focused on those things that would offer the most confusion to the modern reader. Just be sure to keep a close regard on the time period the specific essay is covering and match that to the period not only of the author but the period that Dickens or Austen or whomever is writing about.
This is an lively, entertaining, and informative book. But it is not foolproof. Enjoy it responsibly and you will benefit from this book every time you read a Regency or Victorian author.

OK, so maybe you can live quite nicely without ever learning about the Order of Precedence, rules for being presented at Court or the difference between a Hogshead and a dram.
If you're like me, however, you love the novels of Regency and Victorian England. I couldn't get enough of Jane Austin with her cool and witty observations on the marriage game, the passionate writings of Charlotte Bronte that seemed to reflect her own inner demons, the bucolic romances of George Eliot or Thomas Hardy's tragi-comic portrayals of men's and women's conflicts within an indifferent society.
These novelists' contemporaries understood the nuances of the society in which they placed their characters, but the modern American reader will not. For this reason, "What Jane Austin Ate and Charles Dickens Knew" is an indispensible reference book. The cultural literacy it provides can only enhance your reading of England's 19th Century literary greats.

I picked this book up after reading _Everyday Life In Regency and Victorian England_, which I thought did a decent job of describing the mundane details of English life in the 1800's. Daniel Pool's book is immensely more interesting, detailed, and enjoyable.
_What Jane Austen Ate..._ is divided into two parts: a series of essays on daily life in the 19th century, and an exhaustive glossary of words common to the folk of the period, but not to us. Both parts are engaging and
interesting, suggesting all sorts of interesting ideas for characters, scenes, plots, and schemes (Most people will read this for background on other works, but I read it to ensure historical accuracy in something I'm working on). Pool refers to classical works by Dickens, Austen and Eliot when describing a certain facet of life to help pull it all together.
This book gets 5 stars not because it's the greatest book in the world, but because it's clearly the best of its kind. Readers and writers of 19th century fiction would do well to read it.

Excellent reference book about the life and times in Victorian England (the 19th Century), which allows readers of Victoria literature (the Brontes, Austen, Dickens, Trollope, Hardy, and Elliot) to understand cultural, historical, sociological, and physical references. Although most Victorian novels are highly accessible, this brilliant book fills in a lot of the gaps that modern readers have. For instance, I particularly found the class ranks and household-running chapters very illuminating. Brilliant insight in the 19th century England. Second half of the book is an extensive glossary. Grade: A-

An excellent reference for all kinds of Victoriana, covering a wide range of topics you never thought you'd want to know. It was a lifesaver when I decided last minute to do my 2007 NaNoWriMo novel in a Victorian settling. An all purpose go-to-reference, EXCEPT for the ironic fact that there is almost no info on food. Aside from a nauseating chapter on puddings, and an interesting section about tea, coffee, and liquor, you will NOT find out from this book "what Jane Austen ate." Still, it is a useful compendium of details and a good read for anyone wanting to imagine themselves in 19th-Century England.

This book provides a very pleasant companion for any novel of the period. The glosary offers period definitions of a wide range of words from "abigail" to "yeoman" that is extremely interesting and useful to the devotee of period literature. Chapters on various facets of life from "Currency" through "Death and other Grave Matters" put one in touch with the daily life and concerns of the people of the day in a way few history books do. The quotes from period novels used as examples to explain historical phenomena make the examples clear with a pleasant, highly readable style. Highly recommended for anyone who does or intends to read any fiction or non-fiction of the period or who just wants to know how their great-great grandparents lived.

"What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew..." is a trip back in time for those who love the works of Austen, Dickns, the Bronte Sisters, etc. A time of codified behaviors and mores, this examination 19th century England reveals what is often a baffling subject for newcomers, and yet is fun and fascinating for those who love this era in English Literature. It is by no means a treatise, so don't expect an intense, scholarly work. Instead, expect to be entertained as well as enlightened!

A book which attempts to provide a general background to daily life in 19th century England for readers of 19th century English authors such as Jane Austen (a Regency author) and Charles Dickens (a Victorian author). This book is useful for the beginner to this period but does contains historical misinformation. It is impossible to cover a whole century in a book of this type, and thus the Regency and Victorian periods are not carefully distinguished. My warning for readers of this book is to remember that life in the Regency was often very different to life in Victorian times. For example, Poole categorically states marriage by widower to deceased wife's sister was illegal, actually it was legal in England till 1835. Kristine Hughes and Venetia Murray in their books also confuse the matter. Are they reading each other for reference instead of primary sources? I don't mind a good introductory book to a period, and this could have been one, but I really dislike it when something totally untrue for a period is presented as absolute fact. Marriage to one's sister-in-law was legal in civil law but voidable in ecclesiastical courts if anyone bothered to bring a suit, and many such marriages were made. Until 1835 and Lord Lyndhurst's act. I would double check anything that the author says about the Regency period. This book really tried to do too much to lump the earlier Regency period in with the Victorian period. Over the course of the 19th century many things changed greatly, so if using this book as a guide, remember Jane Austen was a Regency novelist and Charles Dickens a Victorian novelist and laws, social mores and fashions change greatly over a whole century.

I have been reading novels set in Victorian England and had been puzzled by some of the references and words peculiar to that age. This book was essential to my understanding of the society mores, taboos, and rules. It greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the books of Anne Perry. Reading this reference was enjoyable, and the glossary was the biggest help when reading the Anne Perry novels. Well worth the price.

An interesting book, but the author doesn't tell us where any of the information comes from. I don't know how many inaccuracies crept in, but I was more than startled when he explained that a mangle - the hand-cranked squeezer that was used for removing excess water before hanging up your hand-washed laundry - was in fact used after IRONING to make your clothing super flat. I don't think so.....

A great compliment to "Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England" as it gives more detail into different areas. Those using this as a reference to your historical reading will find this very helpful.
My only complaint (as a writer) is that it doesn't distinguish between dates, and you may have a problem with the particulars. If you do decide to use this in your research, use it as a starting point, then flesh it out with further research into your era.

If you love 19th-century English literature, but sometimes feel at sea in the terminology of the period, Daniel Pool comes to your rescue with "What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew," a pleasant, sometimes shocking excursion down the Victorian memory lane. Quoting liberally from the works of Austen, Dickens, Trollope et. al., as well as from journalistic and non-fiction dispatches of the period, Pool clues us in on the intricacies of social rank (as vital to the Victorian Englishman as "The Book of Mormon" to the LDS Church), the relative value of money, the etiquette observed and dishes served at a formal dinner, the operations of Parliament, the tortures inflicted on the sick by the medical profession, and the miseries of the workhouse. So much of that society and its basic suppositions are so different from ours that it reminds us of the quote from the novelist L.P. Hartley: "The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there." However, some of the information Pool provides reminds us that the more things change, the more they stay the same. His definition of "Sabbatarians" on page 368 tells us that these were "VERY strict observers of Sunday who tried to close down shops and other `irreligious' activities on the Lord's Day." Discussing the actions of Sabbatarians to save the blasphemous populace from itself, he mentions, "There was also a parliamentary proposal to prevent the poor from using bakehouses to cook hot Sunday meals." In other words, the poor deserved to be punished for their impiety and profligacy in not being able to afford having their own kitchens. The Pharisees were just as rampant then as they were before and after those days, and the Sabbatarians would feel a righteous joy to know that their kind is still thriving in the 21st century.

This book is way beyond terrific! I have thumbed through it (researching facts for my own book) and enthusiastically read every page over and over again that I have literally worn out my copy. If you are a fan of the Jane Austen-Charles Dickens era I highly recommend you buy this book. History buffs will delight in learning many of the interesting facets of a forgotten time.

Anyone interested in Victoriana will treasure this book.

Unpretentious, broad-ranging, it serves as a handy reference for any layman wondering about just what a groat was worth, how you got into and out of debtor's prison, who could vote and how, what daily life was like at the different levels of Victorian society.

You won't find much in-depth technical information here, but the book is an invaluable first reference for all your questions about life in 19th Century England.

Ever wonder exactly how to play whist and when to get ready for the fox hunt? Look no further. Daniel Pool takes you through every level of English Society during Georgian/Victorian period. Fills in tons of blanks you may have after reading an Austen novel. Goes through the basics and the not so basics in a clear and concise manner.
Great read!

i suppose it takes someone interested in the content of this book to love it, but anyone can find it very interesting. i consider it a great resource, but also sometimes just pick it up to read a section at a time. it is amazing how much is known about the days and times of the writers of many of our classics. and it is intrigueing to delve into any other culture in that way. a great book to own and to love.

I don't typically read non-fiction, but this book is really great. It gives you everything you need to know to help you appreciate the works of Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, and other authors of that era. I am an actress and this is especially helpful to me. It gives me all the inside info into portraying someone of that century authentically. So if you are at all temped get it, you won't regret it. It's something I always go back to reference.

Although this book may be accurate about the time of Charles Dickens, it has many many inaccuracies about Jane Austen's time. Do not take Daniel Poole's word on anything Regency, but double-check.
A note to "Krista" who says that _Pride and Prejudice_ is one of her favorite Victorian novels -- That is ridiculous. Jane Austen died in 1817, 2 years before Victoria was even born and 20 years before she became queen. Jane Austen is a Regency novelist.

Put simply this is a book for those interested in how people lit their homes , cooked their meals , got from point A to point B etc. , in the days before "modern" technology started . It dwells mainly on the lives of the well-to-do and their priorities . Somewhat annoyingly written and disjointed but the subject matter is fascinating .

This book is a marvel, understandable to any person intelligent enough to enjoy Charles Dickens. Every aspect of life is within its scope. Easy to use, it is easily the best resource on my shelves. Indispensable to readers (and writers).

This book should be required reading for anyone interested in 19th century English literature, or even films made of this time period. At the very least, you will come away from it VERY THANKFUL you do not live in that time period. Unless you were in good society, your life would have been miserable and hard. I'm sure I would have been a scullerymaid!

i am a dickens, austen, bronte, hardy, wharton, etc. reader. this book relates the conditions of the times and the reasons things were done as they were. eye-opening, fun to read, very informative. even a glossary at the end of the book.

This is an error-ridden, foolish little book that is just fine for casual consumption but is a terrible place for anyone serious about history to try to learn anything. I write Victorian-set novels, and I really think that books like these are a major problem with my genre as they fool would-be writers into believing that they actually have actually done "research."

*sighs*

Read through George Eliot, Trollope, Austen, Dickens, the Eyres, and Thackeray. Then read articles from popular newspapers and real histories of the period. And then collect fashion plate images and discriptions. Buy copies of Mrs. Beeton and Mayhew. THEN you will have done some research about the 19th c.

This book is exactly what I always needed! It is very entertaining while at the same time equally informative. I discovered this book in the classroom of my sister-in-law who is a teacher. Once you start reading it's very hard to put down.

As a scholar of nineteenth-century novels, I can assure you that this is a bad reference: very superficial, poorly researched, and poorly fact-checked. It's bubble-gum history. Spit it out and go find some real food.

This was a really, really disappointing purchase. The information is scrappy, and the time-span spread over to olong a period. You canjust baout guarantee that any information you really want ( when did the huting season begin? what did Jane Austen eat?) won't be there. It's quite fun to read, but it's trivial.