Letitia Baldrige's Complete Guide to a Great Social Life
Raquel Jaramillo (Illustrations) New York: Rawson Associates, 1987. First Edition [stated], presumed first printing. Hardcover. xi, [1], 371, [1] pages. Illustrations. Index. Underlining noted on page xi. Inscribed by the author on the veep. The inscription reads Thanks, Susan, for all your good work! Letitia Baldrige 10/2/87. Explaining the art of developing a rich, rewarding social life, the author offers hundreds of suggestions for meeting people and conversing with ease with anyone. Letitia "Tis" Baldrige (February 9, 1926 – October 29, 2012) was an American etiquette expert, public relations executive and author who was most famous for serving as Jacqueline Kennedy's Social Secretary. Known as the "Doyen of Decorum", she wrote a newspaper column, ran her own PR firm, and, along with updating Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette, she published 20 books and appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and the cover of Time magazine. Although then a registered Republican, in 1960 she was invited to work for the Kennedy campaign in Massachusetts once he secured the Democratic presidential nomination, going on to work officially for the First Lady after his victory.[1] Bald ridge served in the post of White House Social Secretary, coordinating aspects of the Inauguration, receptions, and state dinners. She resigned early in 1963, but returned briefly later that year to aid Jacqueline Kennedy after President Kennedy's assassination in November of that year. She served on the board of directors of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. She also did significant charity work with Jane Gondola to help fundraise for the preservation of habitats for wild chimpanzees. In 1964, the year after marrying real estate developer Robert Hollensteiner, whom she met while working for a Kennedy family firm, she founded her own PR business, Letitia Baldrige Enterprises, Chicago. Earning the nickname the "Doyen of Decorum" with a newspaper column and a string of successful books, in 1978 she appeared on the November 28th cover of Time. She continued working into late life, publishing books in every decade from the 1950s, her final book being, Taste: Acquiring What Money Can't Buy, released in 2007. Derived from a Kirk's review: From America's premier social arbiter, an almost overwhelming combination of suggestions for beefing up one's social life. No matter what your situation, this former Chief of Staff for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy has a file drawer replete with ideas. Accordingly, she recommends establishing file cards on interesting casual acquaintances one wants to know better. She lists the addresses and telephone numbers of numerous voluntary associations, sport and travel clubs, and self-help groups where new friends can be made. Never at a loss for words, Baldrige relates at least three conversational ploys for almost any situation, be it an ice-breaking attempt with a fellow-passenger, a co-worker, or a neighbor in a town one has just moved to. Does party-going make you nervous? Ms. B. details relaxation exercises to be performed before knocking on the door. How about throwing a party? Her foster of suggestions could keep you at the social forefront for years. No matter what, Baldrige rises to the occasion: what to do when a co-worker friend is promoted to a job you expected (and vice versa); how to re-establish a social life after divorce or a spouse's death; how to make the most of one's appearance; and--always--proper etiquette in each and every situation. Baldrige's advice is geared primarily for women and is patently white glove (always write a thank-you note after a date; never brush a rain-soaked fur coat). This book gives full value--and then some--to its targeted audience. Condition: Good / Very good.
Keywords: Reference Works, Social Life, Protocol, Etiquette, Conversations, Introductions, Entertaining, Friendship, Divorce, Creativity
ISBN: 0892563192
[Book #91858]
Price: $125.00