A review by andipants
How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England: A Guide for Knaves, Fools, Harlots, Cuckolds, Drunkards, Liars, Thieves, and Braggarts by Ruth Goodman

4.0

Where Goodman's previous "How to..." books focus on the rhythms and minutiae of daily life in their respective time periods, this one specifically spotlights bad behavior — harsh words, bad manners, disgusting habits, and even violence and crime. As in the previous books, she provides a high level of detail and specificity, including careful descriptions and period woodcuts for illustration. I found it mostly fascinating, although my attention did wander a few times, particularly in the sections about modes of walking and about the changing fashions of personal weaponry — I suspect this is more down to my own personal interests than any fault on the part of the author. Overall though, if you enjoyed her other books, or if you have a particular interest in Elizabethan social norms or social history in general, this is a thoroughly fascinating read.