Don'ts for Wives

More than 900,000 copies sold!Don'ts for Wives is a facsimile of the original 1913 edition, containing hundreds of snippets of entertaining advice for a happy marriage. While some are quirkily of their time, and rich with fascinating insights into the history of relations between the sexes, many contain wisdom that rings true more than 100 years after they were written.Inside you can find advice on topics such as evenings at home, jealousy, food or even household management. There is much wisdom to be taken from this little book to ensure matrimonial bliss:‘Don’t permit yourself to forget for a single instant that nothing is more annoying to a tired man than the sight of a half-finished laundry work.’‘Don’t let him have to search the house for you. Listen for his latch-key and meet him on the threshold.’‘Don’t nag your husband. If he won’t carry out your wishes for love of you, he certainly won’t because you nag him.’This charming pocket-sized edition is perfect as a Christmas stocking filler, or as a gift (along with the matching Don’ts for Husbands) for newly-weds, engagements and anniversaries.

“'Words of wisdom for a happy marriage from nearly a century ago...; The advice comes from a set of guidebooks on marriage written on the eve of the First World War which are predicted to shoot to the top of the bestseller list. The somewhat old-fashioned 'Don'ts for Husbands and Wives' penned by Blanche Ebbutt in 1913 were first published at a time when women stayed at home while their husbands went out to work. Times have changed since then, but the advice could be considered as relevant today as ever.'”

Words of wisdom for a happy marriage from nearly a century ago... The advice comes from a set of guidebooks on marriage written on the eve of the First World War which are predicted to shoot to the top of the bestseller list. The somewhat old-fashioned ‘Don'ts for Husbands and Wives' penned by Blanche Ebbutt in 1913 were first published at a time when women stayed at home while their husbands went out to work. Times have changed since then, but the advice could be considered as relevant today as ever. Daily Mail
Tips for a happy marriage published nearly a century ago look set to be a hit this year. The guidebooks are seen now as amusing and wise - and relevant in 2007. Daily Express
[The author's] wit and wisdom are set to find a new audience... [they] evoke a world where domestic servants were taken for granted and men viewed women as second-class citizens, to be patronised or set to work on domestic tasks. Wives receive sisterly instructions designed to make them the best possible partners for the flawed, often ridiculous men they have married. The Times
Today they are enough tomes about men being from Mars and weird rules of dating... so it is expected that Blanche Ebbutt's oeuvre will provide more comedy value than useful advice. And yet... there are eternal verities there... There are plenty of gloriously retro bits about women censoring their men's socks and husbands learning to "lead" rather than "drive" their wives; but who could argue when Ebbutt says that there is an art in being married, and that you should not "exhaust your artistic power in getting married" but put some effort into staying that way... What is required, Ebbutt hints from the grave, is simple niceness: be as considerate towards a life partner as towards a friend... So, go on: clear up those pencil sharpenings, chaps. And women, tell Him Indoors that his hair looks nice. Can't hurt, can it? -- Libby Purves The Times
her words on kindness and consideration are as useful today as they were nearly a century ago - and the books themselves, tiny little volumes, are adorable. The Times
Really charming but ultimately wise little books, great ad hoc wedding gifts and also very funny. -- Matthew Perren I-on
After reading it, I was also very surprised that after more than 100 years, how true quite a few of them still rang. Elephant Journal
The publication fits in with the current nostalgia for the spiffing traditions and mannerisms of an earlier era — good punctuation, sound table manners, hand-written letters and afternoon tea. Independant.ie

Blanche Ebbutt (née Berry) was born in 1866 in Hyde, Cheshire. Her two successful advice manuals, Don'ts for Wives and Don'ts for Husbands were published in 1913.

Don'ts for Husbands and Don'ts for Wives are facsimile editions of the original books published by A&C Black in 1913. Each pocket-sized book contains hundreds of snippets of entertaining advice for a happy marriage, which rings true almost 100 years after it was written...The reissued titles are ideal gifts for weddings, engagements and anniversaries. Advice appears under the following chapters:..1.Personalities 2. How to Avoid Discord 3. Habits 4. Financial Matters 5. Evenings at Home 6. Jealousy 7. Recreation 8. Food 9. Dress 10. Entertaining 11. Household Management 12. Children

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