Emily Post

Emily Post was America's foremost authority on etiquette and social conduct in the 20th century. Her landmark 1922 book "Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home" became the definitive guide to manners and proper behavior, going through numerous editions and remaining influential for decades. Born into privileged society as the daughter of prominent architect Bruce Price, Post leveraged her social standing and observant nature to become a renowned expert on social customs. After an early career writing novels and travelogues, she found her true calling in codifying and explaining the rules of etiquette for a rapidly changing modern world. The Emily Post Institute, which she founded in 1946, continues to adapt and promote standards of civil behavior and etiquette education. Post wrote extensively about social conduct across multiple books and newspaper columns, helping to democratize good manners by making etiquette accessible and practical for the growing American middle class. Though known primarily for her etiquette expertise, Post was also a successful novelist and architecture enthusiast who maintained high standards in both her personal and professional life. Her name became synonymous with proper behavior, and her influence on American social customs and manners education extends well beyond her lifetime.

Readers appreciate Post's clear, practical advice that makes etiquette accessible rather than stuffy. Many note her surprising humor and wit, with one Amazon reviewer calling her writing "entertaining and often funny, not at all the dusty Victorian rules I expected." Readers value how Post emphasizes consideration for others over rigid rules. A Goodreads review states: "She focuses on the spirit of courtesy rather than memorizing which fork to use." Common criticisms include dated gender roles and class assumptions. Some find the detailed social protocols tedious or irrelevant to modern life. As one reader noted: "Too much about calling cards and formal dinner parties, not enough about everyday situations." Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.4/5 (950+ ratings for "Etiquette") - Google Books: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) Her etiquette guide continues to sell well, with readers noting they consult it for weddings, business events, and social occasions. Reviews frequently mention Post's enduring principles about treating others with respect and consideration.

Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home (1922) The definitive guide to American manners and social conduct covering a comprehensive range of situations from formal dinners to business interactions.

By Motor to the Golden Gate (1916) A detailed travelogue documenting Post's cross-country journey from New York to San Francisco by automobile.

The Title Market (1909) A novel exploring American heiresses marrying into European nobility, based on Post's observations of high society.

Woven in the Tapestry (1908) A novel examining social dynamics and relationships in New York's elite society.

The Flight of a Moth (1904) A romantic novel set in New York society depicting the social challenges faced by a young woman.

Purple and Fine Linen (1906) A work of fiction portraying the lifestyle and social conventions of America's upper class.

The Emily Post Book of Etiquette for Young People (1929) An adaptation of Post's etiquette principles specifically written for youth and teenagers.

The Personality of a House (1930) A comprehensive guide to home design, architecture, and decoration drawing from Post's architectural background.

How to Behave Though a Debutante (1928) A handbook focusing on social etiquette specifically for young women entering society.

Amy Vanderbilt Her 1952 "Complete Book of Etiquette" rivaled Post's work as a comprehensive guide to social conduct. She continued Post's mission of making etiquette accessible to the middle class through books and media appearances.

Letitia Baldrige As Jackie Kennedy's Social Secretary and Chief of Staff, she modernized etiquette protocols for the White House and American society. Her books focused on business etiquette and social conduct for working women in the late 20th century.

Judith Martin Writing as "Miss Manners," she addresses modern social dilemmas through newspaper columns and books since 1978. Her work combines etiquette expertise with analysis of changing social norms and expectations.

Florence Hartley Her 1860 book "The Ladies' Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness" predated Post's work in codifying American social customs. She wrote extensively about proper conduct for women in Victorian society.

Mary Elizabeth Wilson Sherwood Her 1884 work "Manners and Social Usages" established guidelines for American social conduct during the Gilded Age. She documented the social customs of elite society while making etiquette instruction available to a broader audience.