An almost forgotten classic though a founding text of Victorian middle-class identity Mrs. Beeton s Book of Household Management is a volume of insight and common sense. Written by what one might now describe as a Victorian Martha Stewart the book offers advice on fashion child-care animal husbandry poisons and the management of servants. To the modern reader expecting stuffy verbosity or heavy moralizing Beeton s book is a revelation: it explores the foods of Europe and beyond suggesting new food stuffs and techniques mixing domestic advice with discussions of science religion class industrialism and gender roles. Alternately frugal and fashionable anxious and self confident the book highlights the concerns of the growing Victorian middle-class at a key moment in its history. This abridged edition serves as a cookery book while documenting a significant aspect of Victorian social and cultural history. About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World s Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford s commitment to scholarship providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features including expert introductions by leading authorities voluminous notes to clarify the text up-to-date bibliographies for further study and much more.