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The Butler Speaks

A Return to Proper Etiquette, Stylish Entertaining, and the Art of Good Housekeeping

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Hardcover
$27.95 US
7.3"W x 9.3"H x 1.02"D   | 28 oz | 18 per carton
On sale Apr 23, 2013 | 288 Pages | 9780449015919
Host a dinner party * Make a bed * Set a table * Use the proper fork * Polish silver * Prepare high tea * Present a calling card * Make conversation * Fold a shirt ... all with the charm, ease and sophistication of a butler.
     Now in its fifth printing, this beautifully illustrated style, etiquette and entertainment guide lays out the essentials of entertaining and household management in a clear, straightforward style. For anyone who rents or owns--be it a small urban condo or a lavish country estate--The Butler Speaks includes everything you need to know to simplify, organize and care for your home. Charles MacPherson offers modern advice on personal style and etiquette--how to receive guests; present your business card; make polite dinner conversation-- and advice on entertaining at home--how to make a cheese plate; hold your cutlery; set a table--all with the flair, charm and unpretentious grace of the butler.
“This definitive work fairly oozes the polish and poise of proper butlering, etiquette and household management. MacPherson (founder of Charles MacPherson Associates), neatly lays out the fundamentals of his business into five sections. Part one covers the oddly fascinating history of the service industry, including tidbits such as a footmen’s typical pay scale—based on height and good looks, not competence. Part two sets the etiquette standards with butlering how-tos and dos and don’ts. This is the part that will turn your brewed tea into an art form and your introductions into a statement about your pedigree, real or not. Part three is all about throwing the ultimate shebang, complete with the requisite cutlery, dishes, and glasses. Illustrations ensure you never use a three-tined dessert fork for your salad again. Mothers will appreciate part four, in which MacPherson exhorts readers not to put their elbows on the table, among other rules of table manners. A yearly cleaning calendar is just one aspect of the art of housekeeping discussed in part five. With wit and panache, MacPherson jams in reams of tips that will have you cultured in no time.”
Publishers Weekly

“This [book] everything you never paid attention to while living at home: stylish entertaining, etiquette and the art of good housekeeping. Read this book and you will become the chicest domestic expert around.”
Metro

“All warmth and charm, Charles takes the stuffiness out of butlering. When Charles the Butler speaks, I listen! He presents the ‘old school’ lessons of etiquette, entertaining and housekeeping in a way that everyone can learn. I am proud he is a Master Trainer at my school.”
—Pamela Eyring, President of The Protocol School of Washington

“One of my favourite guests, Charles the Butler gives great advice on managing your life, loving laundry and pursuing good manners.”
—Marilyn Denis, host of The Marilyn Denis Show

“Charles has been my go-to resource for nearly a decade now. His expertise, elegance, and thoughtful tips are an unbeatable combination. I am thrilled that he is sharing his in-depth knowledge with the public in this handy resource."
—Benjamen Douglas, Former Household Manager to Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee

“Charles the Butler taught me to truly understand what luxury is. He alone deserves the fifth highly coveted luxury hotel star.”
—Olivier Cremont, former Head Butler, Fouquet’s Barriere Hotel, Paris

“The Butler Speaks is your definitive guide to the art of living well, delivered with the wit, charm, style—and simple common sense—that you have come to expect from Charles’ columns in Metro. Keep it handy and you’ll never miss a step!”
—Charlotte Empey, Editor-in-Chief, Metro
 
“Anyone who takes pride in their home and in entertaining their family and friends will find within these pages the tips and tricks that a professional butler uses to achieve the ultimate standard of a privately staffed house.”
—John Robertson, butler to Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle
A world authority in household management and butlering, CHARLES MacPHERSON is the founder of Charles MacPherson Associates Inc., North America's only registered school for butlers and household managers. He brings over 26 years of experience in his field and is the resident butler for The Marilyn Denis Show. Charles has been featured as a columnist in the National Post and in Metro. Visit Charles at

www.charlesmacpherson.com. View titles by Charles MacPherson

About

Host a dinner party * Make a bed * Set a table * Use the proper fork * Polish silver * Prepare high tea * Present a calling card * Make conversation * Fold a shirt ... all with the charm, ease and sophistication of a butler.
     Now in its fifth printing, this beautifully illustrated style, etiquette and entertainment guide lays out the essentials of entertaining and household management in a clear, straightforward style. For anyone who rents or owns--be it a small urban condo or a lavish country estate--The Butler Speaks includes everything you need to know to simplify, organize and care for your home. Charles MacPherson offers modern advice on personal style and etiquette--how to receive guests; present your business card; make polite dinner conversation-- and advice on entertaining at home--how to make a cheese plate; hold your cutlery; set a table--all with the flair, charm and unpretentious grace of the butler.

Praise

“This definitive work fairly oozes the polish and poise of proper butlering, etiquette and household management. MacPherson (founder of Charles MacPherson Associates), neatly lays out the fundamentals of his business into five sections. Part one covers the oddly fascinating history of the service industry, including tidbits such as a footmen’s typical pay scale—based on height and good looks, not competence. Part two sets the etiquette standards with butlering how-tos and dos and don’ts. This is the part that will turn your brewed tea into an art form and your introductions into a statement about your pedigree, real or not. Part three is all about throwing the ultimate shebang, complete with the requisite cutlery, dishes, and glasses. Illustrations ensure you never use a three-tined dessert fork for your salad again. Mothers will appreciate part four, in which MacPherson exhorts readers not to put their elbows on the table, among other rules of table manners. A yearly cleaning calendar is just one aspect of the art of housekeeping discussed in part five. With wit and panache, MacPherson jams in reams of tips that will have you cultured in no time.”
Publishers Weekly

“This [book] everything you never paid attention to while living at home: stylish entertaining, etiquette and the art of good housekeeping. Read this book and you will become the chicest domestic expert around.”
Metro

“All warmth and charm, Charles takes the stuffiness out of butlering. When Charles the Butler speaks, I listen! He presents the ‘old school’ lessons of etiquette, entertaining and housekeeping in a way that everyone can learn. I am proud he is a Master Trainer at my school.”
—Pamela Eyring, President of The Protocol School of Washington

“One of my favourite guests, Charles the Butler gives great advice on managing your life, loving laundry and pursuing good manners.”
—Marilyn Denis, host of The Marilyn Denis Show

“Charles has been my go-to resource for nearly a decade now. His expertise, elegance, and thoughtful tips are an unbeatable combination. I am thrilled that he is sharing his in-depth knowledge with the public in this handy resource."
—Benjamen Douglas, Former Household Manager to Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee

“Charles the Butler taught me to truly understand what luxury is. He alone deserves the fifth highly coveted luxury hotel star.”
—Olivier Cremont, former Head Butler, Fouquet’s Barriere Hotel, Paris

“The Butler Speaks is your definitive guide to the art of living well, delivered with the wit, charm, style—and simple common sense—that you have come to expect from Charles’ columns in Metro. Keep it handy and you’ll never miss a step!”
—Charlotte Empey, Editor-in-Chief, Metro
 
“Anyone who takes pride in their home and in entertaining their family and friends will find within these pages the tips and tricks that a professional butler uses to achieve the ultimate standard of a privately staffed house.”
—John Robertson, butler to Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle

Author

A world authority in household management and butlering, CHARLES MacPHERSON is the founder of Charles MacPherson Associates Inc., North America's only registered school for butlers and household managers. He brings over 26 years of experience in his field and is the resident butler for The Marilyn Denis Show. Charles has been featured as a columnist in the National Post and in Metro. Visit Charles at

www.charlesmacpherson.com. View titles by Charles MacPherson