Miss Manners Rescues Civilization - Hardcover

Martin, Judith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0517701642 ISBN 13: 9780517701645

Publisher: Crown, 1996

Synopsis

In an era of American history that has shown a heightened sensitivity toward the ideals of democracy, self-expression, freedom, and individual rights, we are paradoxically experiencing a breakdown in our nation's ability to function as a civil people.

From athletes who shout obscenities on national television to surgeons who blast their favorite music while operating, from gang members who kill those who've "dissed" them to mourners who treat funerals casually, we trample over the rights of others in a savage pursuit of individual agendas. We have cashed in etiquette (yes, the "E word") for a generous helping of self-importance, and the exchange is crippling our ability to function as a civil society.

In her ground-breaking new book,MISS MANNERS RESCUES CIVILIZATION: From Sexual Harassment, Frivolous Lawsuits, Dissing and Other Lapses in Civility, Judith Martin puts etiquette on the public agenda in response to our nation's cry for a return to civility.

A thought-provoking book that calls on etiquette to champion the quest for civil decency, MISS MANNERS RESCUES CIVILIZATION discusses the futility of using the law to correct our ever-increasing list of societal offenses cluttering the courts and declaring new laws has proved to be both costly and ineffective. However, a rebirth of good manners places the privileges and challenges of a civil society back where it belongs in the hands of the individual. This witty, thoughtful, and timely book responds to the public cry for a return to civility and puts etiquette on an equal plane with morality as society's most powerful guiding force.

About this title

Review

From Miss Manners, the long-time oracle on matters of etiquette and social relationships, here is a contemporary guide to being civilized in the modern world, based on her replies to real letters from readers of her celebrated syndicated newspaper column. Although some of her advice has an old-fashioned ring to it--she favors politeness, school uniforms and careful courtship, and rather disapproves of too much television--she can handle herself on very up-to-date problems like date rape and online etiquette. For problems from the trivial to the life-shattering, Miss Manners has answers that are rarely superficial, and usually fun.

From the Publisher

"With charm and wit,...[Miss Manners]... minutely examines the rents in the social fabric since the 1960s, when many traditional guidelines for civility were abandoned with little to replace them but self-interest or confusion.

More than a book on etiquette, this is both entertaining and serious social commentary."
--Publishers Weekly

About this edition

• Publisher: Crown
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0517701642
• ISBN 13: 9780517701645
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 497