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leanneymu's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A fascinating journey through Tudor and Stuart morals. The first chapter was a little dull, but stick with it! The chapters on fighting, drinking and corousing are worth the wait!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, and Vomit
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
Obviously I am a nerd who loves the minutiae of daily life in historical periods, so this was right up my alley. Moreover, I listened to the audiobook which is delightfully narrated. My only real complaint is that although I attempted many of the gaits, gestures, and other physical movements described herein, I probably haven't internalized them enough to actually use rude Elizabethan gestures in a quarrel in the street. I am certainly going to make better use of the word 'knave' though.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This book takes a humorous look into various insults, language, manners, etc from the Elizabethan era. I am here to confirm that today's insults are terribly lacking when compared with the eloquence of insults back in the day. This book also featured sermons and court records with statements made in the time to illustrate insults, criminal offenses, and language.
I LOVED this book. I thought it was educational and hilarious. It is really neat to see how language changes and evolves over time, as well as how it is utilized. This was a take on history that I really appreciated. I am looking forward to other works by this author. I personally have the Audible version, which was about 8 hours or so to listen to. The physical copy is just over 300 pages, so if you are interested in a quick, funny, historical read...try this one out.
I LOVED this book. I thought it was educational and hilarious. It is really neat to see how language changes and evolves over time, as well as how it is utilized. This was a take on history that I really appreciated. I am looking forward to other works by this author. I personally have the Audible version, which was about 8 hours or so to listen to. The physical copy is just over 300 pages, so if you are interested in a quick, funny, historical read...try this one out.
cupiscent's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
Delightful, informative, nicely delivered with broader context and nice comparisons with modern life to really aid understanding. The only slight niggle I had was that the structure was often repetitious--presenting by areas and categories of "misbehaviour" meant that similar drivers and considerations were repeated in each section, such as the dissonance of Quaker behaviour. I don't know that there's any better way to arrange things, though, and this was tremendously readable, tremendously easy to understand, and just plain good fun very often.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Goodman has clearly brought a lot of detail and minutiae of daily Tudor- and Stewart-era life (the title is a bit of a misnomer) and it’s kind of interesting how mores have or haven’t changed over the years. But wow, does this read like molasses. Slow, really slow.
I haven’t read her earlier Tudor book, but I did read her Victorian book and that was laid out really well.
I haven’t read her earlier Tudor book, but I did read her Victorian book and that was laid out really well.
hmalagisi's review against another edition
4.0
In many books about the different mannerisms and routines of different dynasties, we tend to see how the average person lived in the most prim and proper manner. How they avoided trouble at all costs to provide the best life that they could for their families. Yet, we know that there were those who did not adhere to the rules. They chose to rebel against the natural way of life. Every social echelon had their own rule-breakers, but what were these rules that they chose to break? How are these troublemakers of the past similar and different from our modern-day rebels? Famed experimental archeologist and historian Ruth Goodman takes her readers on a journey through the Elizabethan and the early Stuart eras to show how the drunkards, thieves, and knaves made a name for themselves. The name of this rather imaginative book is “How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England: A Guide for Knaves, Fools, Harlots, Cuckolds, Drunkards, Liars, Thieves, and Braggarts”.
I have enjoyed Ruth Goodman’s books in the past and her knowledge about how those from different periods of history lived. When I saw this particular title on the shelf at my local bookstore, I knew I wanted to read it. The title was so compelling to me as it seems to break the mold of what normal “How to Live in (certain time period)” books are supposed to be like.
Goodman’s structure for this book is very unique. She takes a look at different aspects which made a person a lawbreaker in the Elizabethan and Stuart eras. Things like insulting language, gestures that could be taken out of context, the way someone mimicked their betters in society, drinking too much or too little, and their cleanliness. To understand why certain behaviors were considered bad during these times, Goodman examines what was deemed acceptable in every level of society. Some of the rules and regulations seem rather self-explanatory, while others will be a bit foreign for modern readers.
What makes this book truly special is Goodman’s experiences with the different mannerisms. As an experimental archeologist, Goodman has practiced as much as she could to give the readers a bit more depth to what they are studying. It is one thing to study the actions of those who lived the past, but to act out those actions gives you a new appreciation of the time period you are studying. I actually took my time to copy the different bows and walks that Goodman outlined, which felt a bit awkward at first, but it gave me a different level of respect for the past.
The one problem that I had with this book is with the US title of this book. It is a bit misleading since it is not solely about Elizabethan England. It does dive into the complex nature of the Stuart dynasty, including the English Civil War between the Roundheads (the Parliamentarians) and the Cavaliers (the Royalists). As someone who mainly stays with medieval and Tudor England, I did have to take my time when Goodman mentioned the Stuarts to make sure I understood fully the transition from the Elizabethans in the way of mannerisms.
I found this book quirky, educational, and just pure fun to read. It’s one of those books that you can tell Goodman has wanted to write for a very long time. Goodman captures her audience’s attention with such an engaging writing style and vivid details. It is a wonderfully imaginative read for academics and novices alike. If you want to know what could get you into trouble in the past, check out Ruth Goodman’s latest nonfiction triumph, “How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England”.
I have enjoyed Ruth Goodman’s books in the past and her knowledge about how those from different periods of history lived. When I saw this particular title on the shelf at my local bookstore, I knew I wanted to read it. The title was so compelling to me as it seems to break the mold of what normal “How to Live in (certain time period)” books are supposed to be like.
Goodman’s structure for this book is very unique. She takes a look at different aspects which made a person a lawbreaker in the Elizabethan and Stuart eras. Things like insulting language, gestures that could be taken out of context, the way someone mimicked their betters in society, drinking too much or too little, and their cleanliness. To understand why certain behaviors were considered bad during these times, Goodman examines what was deemed acceptable in every level of society. Some of the rules and regulations seem rather self-explanatory, while others will be a bit foreign for modern readers.
What makes this book truly special is Goodman’s experiences with the different mannerisms. As an experimental archeologist, Goodman has practiced as much as she could to give the readers a bit more depth to what they are studying. It is one thing to study the actions of those who lived the past, but to act out those actions gives you a new appreciation of the time period you are studying. I actually took my time to copy the different bows and walks that Goodman outlined, which felt a bit awkward at first, but it gave me a different level of respect for the past.
The one problem that I had with this book is with the US title of this book. It is a bit misleading since it is not solely about Elizabethan England. It does dive into the complex nature of the Stuart dynasty, including the English Civil War between the Roundheads (the Parliamentarians) and the Cavaliers (the Royalists). As someone who mainly stays with medieval and Tudor England, I did have to take my time when Goodman mentioned the Stuarts to make sure I understood fully the transition from the Elizabethans in the way of mannerisms.
I found this book quirky, educational, and just pure fun to read. It’s one of those books that you can tell Goodman has wanted to write for a very long time. Goodman captures her audience’s attention with such an engaging writing style and vivid details. It is a wonderfully imaginative read for academics and novices alike. If you want to know what could get you into trouble in the past, check out Ruth Goodman’s latest nonfiction triumph, “How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England”.
betsyrisen's review against another edition
5.0
I remember the first series I saw with Ruth Goodman presenting and my interest being immediately piqued about who she is and what she's about. It took a few years before I started to wonder, "hey, I wonder if she's written any books?"
She is accessible and relatable, and as far as I've been able to tell, has more experience with history than being an actual historian (and that's ok, as long as you don't claim to be something you aren't).
This was a nice review of a large span on time (the "Elizabethan England" title was misleading in that way, as it covers a longer span of time). Overall, a really interesting book full of very interesting anecdotes.
She is accessible and relatable, and as far as I've been able to tell, has more experience with history than being an actual historian (and that's ok, as long as you don't claim to be something you aren't).
This was a nice review of a large span on time (the "Elizabethan England" title was misleading in that way, as it covers a longer span of time). Overall, a really interesting book full of very interesting anecdotes.