Vols. for 1898-1968 include a directory of publishers.

Afternoon Tea: A History explores the development of the afternoon tea meal, diving deeper than the popular tale of the Duchess of Bedford’s afternoon gatherings to find the meals that inspired those early afternoon teas. Julia Skinner carefully separates the fact and lore around the meal and sets the story of afternoon tea within its historic contexts. Recognizing that a meal’s birth and life never happen in a vacuum, the book sets aside the already well-documented conversations surrounding tea etiquette, instead exploring the social contexts that made the meal possible and popular, moving it from one small subset of the population to a widespread and beloved phenomenon, one that nearly died out at the end of the 20th century before experiencing a resurgence in the 21st. Afternoon tea is a meal that came of age during the British Empire’s most aggressive expansion, and as such became a meal that was transported to new continents with colonial forces. The book explores how this movement took place and uncovers the different ways tea and colonialism intersect in both the colonial and postcolonial worlds. It also looks at afternoon tea in America, a country that broke from the Empire before the meal was established as a set ritual, but which still has its own complex relationship with the beverage and a continuing fascination with the meal. The book concludes by looking at afternoon tea today, including a handful of interviews that show the range of perspectives about the meal and its place in society, as well as its resurging popularity in the last decade.

Book 4 | The Debutants of the West It had been the perfect plan. No detail is left to chance. So, what went wrong? Marianne Sheffield is a practical woman who approaches every problem with a solid plan of action. So, when her identical twin sister needed help getting out of an arranged marriage, Mari took control. Confident she would have no problem outsmarting the ambitious Mr. Banks, she postponed the unwanted wedding until Christmas hoping to wreak havoc on the man’s life and force him to beg off and save her parents from embarrassment. Her plan failed and soon, she found herself married and on her way to Durango with her new husband for a Colorado Christmas. While they enjoyed the festive spirit of the small mountain town, she began to sense there was more to the man than just his rugged good looks and hefty bank account—much, much more. Now, Mari realizes she’s the one who may have been outsmarted. John Maximillian Banks is a man used to getting what he wants. And when it comes to women, he’s rarely disappointed. When he and Charles Sheffield agreed to merge their companies into one of the largest transportation companies in the region, it was no surprise when his new business partner sealed the deal by offering his eldest daughter to Max in marriage and making it a family affair. However, it didn’t take long to realize that something was amiss. The stunningly beautiful debutante seemed different than he remembered her. She had been sweet, soft-spoken, and kind then. Now, she was strong-willed. Bold. One could say even bossy. Certainly not the match he had hoped for, but there was something about the feisty, outspoken, dark-haired beauty that made him wish for more than their business arrangement. He had already won her hand. Now, all he wants is her heart for Christmas. Sometimes the most precious gifts aren’t found inside a pretty box under the Christmas tree.

The Book of Good Manners; a Guide to Polite Usage for All Social Functions by Walter Cox Green: "The Book of Good Manners" by Walter Cox Green is a comprehensive guide to etiquette and social decorum. This book provides valuable insights into polite behavior and proper conduct for various social occasions, making it an essential resource for those seeking to navigate social functions with grace. Key Aspects of the Book "The Book of Good Manners; a Guide to Polite Usage for All Social Functions by Walter Cox Green": Social Etiquette: Green's book covers a wide range of topics related to social etiquette, including greetings, table manners, and conversational skills. Practical Guidance: The book offers practical advice and examples to help individuals navigate social situations with confidence and courtesy. Timeless Wisdom: "The Book of Good Manners" provides timeless wisdom on the importance of civility and respect in interpersonal interactions. Walter Cox Green authored this guide to good manners, reflecting the social norms and conventions of his time. His work serves as a historical reference for understanding etiquette in the past.