A Butler's Life: Scenes from the Other Side of the Silver Salver

by Kimberly Burton Allen, Christopher Allen

Overview

Part memoir, part how-to, A Butler's Life -- the account of Christopher Allen's real-life duties Behind The Silver Salver-- offers a contemporary peek into this fascinating, yet demanding profession.

Those for whom the mental picture of a British butler is the impeccable Jeeves or Remains of the Day's prim Mr. Stevens will find Christopher Allen a surprise and a delight. The engaging Englishman, while no less a paragon of service than his literary peers, is charmingly human in his ongoing endeavor to master a profession whose most perfect representative is invisible.

And, for those whose homes might not be staffed with live-in servants but who would enjoy benefiting from their expertise, nearly two dozen sidebars reveal tips of the trade--everything from hints for seamless entertaining to advice on household management.

Far from a relic of a past era, Christopher Allen demonstrates that being a butler -- in villas on the Cote d'Azur and in California, on luxury yachts in England and estates in the Hamptons -- is still a very viable, rewarding way to make a living in the twenty-first century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780595165193
Publisher:	iUniverse, Incorporated
Publication date:	02/06/2001
Pages:	228
Sales rank:	906,100
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Christopher Allen, the subject of A Butler's Life, has worked in private service for over twenty years. Born in England and trained formally, his career allowed him to live and work in various parts of Europe before relocating to the U.S. in 1985. He now trains and consults on issues of household management.

A Butler's Life is Kimberly Burton Allen's second published book, following the 1996 publication of Wedding Wonders: Tales & Traditions, Customs & Curiosities. She and Christopher live on Long Island, where she is currently at work on her second novel.

Table of Contents

	Preface	vii
	Acknowledgments	ix
	Introduction	xi
1.	Silver Service	1
2.	Serving on Sea Legs	13
3.	Moored in the Mediterranean	28
4.	Private Service	39
5.	Journeyman Butler	49
6.	Lifestyles of the Rich and Not-So-Famous	67
7.	Life "Below Stairs"	82
8.	The Urban Cowboy	100
9.	Coming to America	119
10.	A Butler's-eye View of American Holidays	135
11.	"Part of the Show"	148
12.	Contract Butlering	167
13.	The Long Road Home	185
14.	Some Thoughts on Being a Butler	201
	Bibliography	209

Editorial Reviews

[A Butler’s Life] features anecdotes about the people [Christopher Allen] has worked for during his 20 years ‘in service’…gives the reader some insights into the habits of the rich and not-so-famous…and details just what the modern butler does.”
—A Butler's Life, 12/30/1999

Barbara Delatiner

’Upstairs-Downstairs’ stories have considerable fascination for most people…Christopher Allen is the real thing, a butler who worked 80 hour weeks without complaint, put up with the frugality and absurd whims of his privileged employers, and continued to hone his craft. This is an offbeat little book…I recommend it, heartily.”
—A Butler's Life, 12/30/1999

Elain K.G. Benson

A Butler’s Life is a fun book which gives behind-the-scenes views of moneyed lifestyles…Mr. Allen could teach some of his employers a thing or two about the manners side of elegant living, and his approach to work is one we could all learn from.”
—A Butler's Life, 12/30/1999

Anne Aldrich