Why Manners Matter

"Witty, well-reasoned, and, yes, occasionally potty mouthed, the fiercely talented Lucinda Holdforth may be doing more to save civilization than anyone I know. Holdforth has held forth, and for this I bow down low before her." -Henry Alford, author of How To Live

In this age of global warming and warfare, aren't manners frivolous? Do manners really matter? Yes! Lucinda Holdforth passionately exclaims. Holdforth wonderfully manages to show that manners are not about saying please and thank you, or about teaching your children to address people by Mr. or Mrs. Citing everyone from Erasmus, Tocqueville, T.S. Elliot to George Orwell and Proust and Borat, Holdforth shows how manners- which many of us might think are inconsequential-are actually the cornerstone to civilization."Lucinda Holdforth (what a perfect name!) is the Marcus Aurelius of manners. She's a genius at how to live. Why Manners Matter is a wonderful, enticing, brash, deep, witty book. Read it. It will make you the nicest person of your generation." -E.Jean Carroll, Elle columnist

"Don't miss this small but compelling book." -P. M. Forni, author of The Civility SolutionLucinda Holdforth has been a researcher at ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) television, an official in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a speechwriter to former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley, and a communications specialist for a management consulting firm. She lives in Sydney.