The Proper Bostonians (American society series)

This is a delightful book, but some of Amory's assertions are a bit one-size-fits-all. Not all Brahmins behaved the way he describes. Also the book has dated. He states that Exeter, Andover, Nobles and Roxbury Latin are less select than St. Grottlesex schools, but today all four schools are powerhouses both academically and socially. What a shame that no one has written a serious, scholarly study on the Boston Brahmin examinining both the good and the bad.

It is amazing how little has changed since this book was written. The changes that have taken place are interesting to note. A great light read and a good joke gift for the snobby Bostonian on your list.

Cleveland Amory, best known for his writings for his love of animals, first wrote this most interesting view of the city of Boston. Boston is one of America's most well known cities, and Amory gives an insight into the fabric that makes up the social framework of the city. Gilded with facts that give the reader a chance to see how Boston thinks (such as tearing down the historical home of John Hancock when the taxes went unpaid), this book is fascinating because it is real. Truth is stranger than fiction, and Boston as presented here rings true. The main drawback to the book is that one wishes an update on the world of the Proper Bostonians was available.