Society as I Have Found It (ePub)

In 'Society as I Have Found It,' Ward McAllister presents his reflections and analyses of the social customs and elite gatherings of his era. His work is a meticulous account of high society life, expressed through a narrative that combines anecdotal evidence with a satirical edge. McAllister's writing style is both flamboyant and instructional, offering a unique vantage point on the ostentatious mores of the American upper echelons. Within its pages emerges a tapestry of Gilded Age etiquette, as the author provides a window into the traditions that defined social standings in a time where class demarcations were both pronounced and paramount. DigiCat Publishing, in this special edition, revives the text in a modern format, respecting the tome's status in the annals of societal commentary and classic American literature.

Ward McAllister's journey into authorship with this particular work is deeply rooted in his own experience within the circles he meticulously describes. A prominent figure of New York society, known for coining the phrase 'the Four Hundred', McAllister was a self-appointed arbiter of social taste and elegance. His intimate knowledge of the lives of America's most affluent families allowed him to craft a detailed and occasionally sardonic guide to the opulent customs of the time. His insights aim to both share and critique the insular world of old money, thus providing a dual perspective as both participant and observer.

This edition of 'Society as I Have Found It' is recommended for readers interested in social history, the dynamics of class, and the American Gilded Age. It is a window through which one can observe the workings of a bygone societal hierarchy. Scholars and enthusiasts of American history and culture will find McAllister's anecdotes and perspectives an invaluable resource for understanding the intricate and often unspoken rules that governed the highest tiers of turn-of-the-century America. As a classic that has shaped our comprehension of American social strata, it endures not only as a historical document but also as a guide to the complex social etiquette that characterizes an era of extravagance and exclusivity.