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Downton Abbey: Rules for Household Staff Kindle Edition

by Carson (Author, Introduction) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 731 ratings

Inspired by the Emmy Award-winning television series--and now feature film--Downton Abbey: Rules for Household Staff is a grand gift book for fans that reveals the proper etiquette and techniques required for those working in the manor or on the grounds of the Grantham estate.

The household staff of Downton Abbey carries out their duties with effortless dignity, finesse and pride. Yet how do they know how exactly to lay the table, when to leave the room to give Lord and Lady Grantham their privacy, how to care for Lady Mary's furs and which uniform to wear when? This recently recovered and fascinating staff handbook answers all of these questions and more.

Covering all the main positions of the Downton household—footman, lady's maid, housekeeper, groundsman and more—and with a general introduction for new members of staff from Carson the Butler, this book tells you everything you need to know about working below stairs in the grand estate of Downton Abbey.

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  1. Print length
    136 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St. Martin's Griffin
  4. Publication date
    March 26, 2024
  5. File size
    4.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Introduction by Mr. Carson, the butler at Downton Abbey.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00K9NWSE4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin (March 26, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 136 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 731 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
731 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this Downton Abbey book entertaining and informative, particularly enjoying the rules and fascinating facts about proper behavior. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback as a gift and for its historical accuracy, with one customer noting its true-to-the-era content. However, several customers mention issues with the print size, noting the font is small and the book is smaller than anticipated.

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94 customers mention "Readability"85 positive9 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, particularly as a fun read for Downton Abbey fans.

"Fun book!..." Read more

"I absolutely love this book. I had this books an ebook. But to have a physical copy in my home, is Devine...." Read more

"...Other than that, I love the book, it's very informative. If I ever cosplay a servant, I'll definitely be using this book as reference. :)" Read more

"...explanation about the honor of being a servant, which was uplifting to read. He had a way of making it sound noble, which it is...." Read more

31 customers mention "Information quality"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative and interesting, particularly enjoying the fun reading about all the rules, with one customer noting it provides a wealth of information on proper behavior.

"...Casual reading will provide additional context with which to approach the show..." Read more

"...Other than that, I love the book, it's very informative. If I ever cosplay a servant, I'll definitely be using this book as reference. :)" Read more

"...I enjoyed learning about the hierarchy of the staff and the different duties of each servant...." Read more

"Fascinating information, written as though by Carson the Butler...." Read more

8 customers mention "Gift value"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a great gift, with one mentioning it's an inexpensive Christmas option.

"Fun, inexpensive Christmas gift for a Downton Abbey fan...." Read more

"Makes a nice gift for your Downton Abbey Fan. Very informative" Read more

"Ideal Christmas gift for a real Downton fan!" Read more

"Got as a present for my mom who loves Downton. A great gift for fans of the show." Read more

7 customers mention "Book content"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's content, with one mentioning it's a must-read for Downton Abbey fans.

"Great Addition to any Downton Abbey Fans Home. Place it on the bookshelf or on a side table and enjoy hours or fun facts for the household staff...." Read more

"This was a gift for my sister. She is a big fan of Downton Abbey. She loved this book!" Read more

"Not exactly what I was expecting. It was written for Downton Abbey fans." Read more

"A must for Downton fans." Read more

5 customers mention "Historical accuracy"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical accuracy, with one customer noting it is true to the era, while another describes it as a fascinating look back into the past.

"...Fans will probably enjoy this book. It is also nostalgic." Read more

"Factual historical account of the rules and protocol that governed servant behavior in this era...." Read more

"Excellent!!!! A must read for any Downton Abbey fan. Also true to the era, so an interesting read for anyone." Read more

"Not just a joke. Fascinating look back into the past." Read more

12 customers mention "Print size"0 positive12 negative

Customers express dissatisfaction with the book's print size, noting that the font is small and the book itself is much smaller than anticipated.

"...The print was smaller than standard print but not difficult for me to read. Now I will have to share it with my sister, another fan of Downton." Read more

"...with the other review indicating, essentially, that the font used for this is far too small...." Read more

"Very interesting and entertaining. However, the book is much smaller than I anticipated, and the print is tiny." Read more

"...The only reason I did not give 5 stars is because the print is very small. The cover and paper are of good quality." Read more

A Marvelous Manuscript
5 out of 5 stars
A Marvelous Manuscript
I absolutely love this book. I had this books an ebook. But to have a physical copy in my home, is Devine. I fell in love with the show Downton Abbey. Since than I been longing for anything that is from Edwardian era or Victorian era. Plus this book is filled with great advice that helps you to better yourself. If you love Downton Abbey. Please pick up this book. Now that I have I feel like I can have Class, and Decorum. I feel like upper class with beer pocket money. 😊
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Lily Olsen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book, quick read!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Fun book! Big fan of the included cleaning recipes & garment care tips, which line up pretty well with other ones I've read in Actual Household Manuals of the era, so whoever was ghostwriting for Mr Carson did their research. ;-) Everything I know about wine circa the 1920s (very little) I learned from this book.

    A solid 25% of the text reads like a passive aggressive personal attack on Thomas Barrow, but so do most of the words that come out of Carson's mouth, so props for accuracy.

    I cannot imagine this would appeal to anyone who isn't already very into Downton Abbey, but they're not the target audience. Casual reading will provide additional context with which to approach the show (what do the servants spend all their time doing when they're not on screen?); close reading will give you Word-of-God insight into the downstairs characters (Carson, like his long-term protégé already aforementioned, has some unresolved daddy issues). If you've got the money (or the digital credit) to spare and a prior vested interest I don't think you can really go wrong here.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Arthur DeStefano
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Manuscript
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely love this book. I had this books an ebook. But to have a physical copy in my home, is Devine. I fell in love with the show Downton Abbey. Since than I been longing for anything that is from Edwardian era or Victorian era. Plus this book is filled with great advice that helps you to better yourself. If you love Downton Abbey. Please pick up this book. Now that I have I feel like I can have Class, and Decorum. I feel like upper class with beer pocket money. 😊
    Customer image
    Arthur DeStefano
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A Marvelous Manuscript

    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2022
    I absolutely love this book. I had this books an ebook. But to have a physical copy in my home, is Devine. I fell in love with the show Downton Abbey. Since than I been longing for anything that is from Edwardian era or Victorian era. Plus this book is filled with great advice that helps you to better yourself. If you love Downton Abbey. Please pick up this book. Now that I have I feel like I can have Class, and Decorum. I feel like upper class with beer pocket money. 😊
    Images in this review
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    9 people found this helpful
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  • Sarah Ives
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it, but one tiny issue
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I really do love this book. While the rating is 5 stars, I would like to mention one thing that would make it truly better: NO FREAKING STICKER ON THE BACK! I like my books to not have a sticker on it and while it's nice to know that the book costs $14.99 USD, taking off the sticker is not fun. Especially when it rips off the back off the book as well when it comes off. I don't know how to get the sticker off without ruining the back of the book, but that would be something nice to think about. So, if they could leave off the sticker next time, that would be great. Other than that, I love the book, it's very informative. If I ever cosplay a servant, I'll definitely be using this book as reference. :)
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Anita Valle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Author Research!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    As an author, I found this book wonderful for research. I write medieval / fairy tale stories and even though this was written for a different century, there was still much that I could use. I enjoyed learning about the hierarchy of the staff and the different duties of each servant. Also, in the introduction, Carson gives a beautiful explanation about the honor of being a servant, which was uplifting to read. He had a way of making it sound noble, which it is. Just because your job may require mundane tasks does not lessen you as a person, it is something you can take pride in because you are bettering life for others. Certainly when I watch Downton Abbey I feel the servants deserve so much more respect than the Granthams! Lady Mary is such a waste of space, isn't she? :D

    -Anita Valle, author of The Nine Princesses Novellas
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Marcia
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, poor cover choice
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating information, written as though by Carson the Butler. It is unfortunate that the cover is made from a paper-like material that peels easily. This would not be a problem if the distributors would refrain from placing bar code stickers on the cover. The publishers need to rethink their choice of cover material for any future editions and distributors would serve us well by not using stickers on the cover.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Suzanne E. Ford
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and informative
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I found this book quite interesting and full of information. I have even more respect now for those who were "in service" back then. The print was smaller than standard print but not difficult for me to read. Now I will have to share it with my sister, another fan of Downton.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • 0
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as it provides all the information on each servants position, such as what they are to wear and what all their duties are, along with much more. It doesn’t directly talk about Downton Abbey, other than the dropping of lord granthems name here or there, and it is written to look like a rule book made by Carson, which I find adorable. It’s very cute, very informative, and very interesting for anyone wondering more about life below stairs!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Megan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a glorious book. Love it
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book is written with Mr. Carson’s approval which I thought was a great touch. Lots of helpful tips for writers everywhere.
    Customer image
    Megan
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Such a glorious book. Love it

    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2022
    This book is written with Mr. Carson’s approval which I thought was a great touch. Lots of helpful tips for writers everywhere.
    Images in this review
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    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Monika Schaffrann
    5.0 out of 5 stars very good
    Reviewed in Germany on October 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    very good
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  • markus hacker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Hacks
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on April 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Nice read with some interesting household hacks that still work today!
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  • Lars
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intressant.
    Reviewed in Sweden on October 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Vad jag ville ha.
    Report
  • sed18
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... keeping the house and the upstairs folks looking their best at all times
    Reviewed in Canada on September 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating look into all the work and household savvy that went into keeping the house and the upstairs folks looking their best at all times. For example,rugs, furs, jackets, gloves and hunting clothes were not sent out to the dry-cleaners ( if there was such a thing in those days) they were cleaned at home by household staff using household materials and a lot of elbow grease. The book is full of practical advice on how to manage the household without such modern conveniences as each large house had to be quite self-sufficient. I learned a lot! Now, if only I had staff...
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  • Annette
    3.0 out of 5 stars Downtown abbey rules
    Reviewed in France on November 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Permet de se replonger dans l'ambiance de la célèbre série télévisée. Permet de connaître les usages de la société edwardienne dont certains sont encore en vigueur de nos jours.
    Report

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