This book seems somewhat dated, but that may be because it has inspired so much research on the importance of marriage and ceremony that the ideas appear familiar. One easily forgets that this is the book that opened the way to new approaches to Shakespeare's plays. When my students want to write about the importance of ceremony or about women or about marriage in Shakespeare's plays, I first send them to *Broken Nuptials*. It's nicely written with no twisted inane jargon to trip up even a novice reader. Most readers, in fact, may end the book thinking "I knew that!" (although they probably didn't know it when they started the book). The insights appear to be so self-evident (and so colored by work done after the book's publication) that I believe readers and scholars, while recognizing the book's importance, have underrated its quality. This book is an excellent tool that stands the test of time.

One cannot help but notice that in 19th Century English literature a lot of drinking (and eating) is the order of the day. Especially in the works of Charles Dickens, one is either in the local, gin shop, or having a "cordial" in a character's house. Convivial Dickens is the reference guide to the waxing and waning popularity of beer, gin and mixed drinks in Victorian England-specifically the England of Dickens. Each chapter covers a specific drink, beer or gin for example, gives the story of its popularization/decline, and includes recipes taken directly from 19th Century bartending guides. These allow the reader to do some "research" on their own, to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the times.
A pretty useful companion to any of Dickens' works, recommended.

I have had the first edition for 15 years now, and it is still one of my favourite cookbooks. Preparation time and cooking time are clearly indicated, and you'll find most ingredients in your pantry. Metric measurements will help. But apart from that, this IS fast food.

This book is very childish and the author often forgets that he's suppose to give us information on kissing. Sometimes, he just goes off into wild romance-style passages. I didn't buy the book for that. I want info, info and more info. There are some things that are interesting, but the author seems to have little to offer himself. He shares very little of his own experiences and constantly quotes anonymous school-girls throughout the lamo-book. I don't hate the book, it's just not informative enouph. The author constantly seems to take the woman's side in most issues. What I hated most about this book was that if your ever in a jam with something, lie to get out of it. What happened to honesty? If your going to be in a relationship and be a phony then you may as well not be in one.

I did find a few useful kisses that look intresting...I can't wait to try the finger-kissing on my boyfriend.

This book was ok for entertainment purposes but lacked useful advice. I would not recommend this book for anyone who really wants to know about kissing.

A catalogue from an exhibition held at the Folger Library. Despite its name, many of the subjects are post-Bard: he died in 1616, and quite a few items are dated 1650 to 1700. The exhibition was very broadly focused - everything from plates and cups, recipe books, paintings of diners, and so forth. There are lots of good pictures. The appendix transcribes "Mrs. Sarah Longe her Receipt Booke", published around 1610. It combines recipes ("To make rice-puddings") and dubious medicinal tips ("To stop the bleeding of a wound: Take a peece of an Old hatt, and burne it in the fire to a Cole then grind it to powser, and straw it into the wound."

This is a catalogue that was prepared to accompany an exhibition of books and manuscripts that was shown at the Folger Shakespeare Library from September - December 1999. This is not a history of Tudor/Elizabethan food, nor is it a comprehensive bibliography of Tudor/Elizabethan cookbooks. It very much reflects what the Folger owns. The essay by Joan Thirsk is quite good, and it does contain a literal transcription of a c1610 manuscript belonging to a Mrs. Sarah Longe. If you like exhibition catalogues, it's quite a nice one, but certainly not as essential to food history as say C. Anne Wilson's Food and Drink in Britain.