A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style
by Susanna Salk
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Book Reviews of A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style
Book Review: Almost Thoroughly Love It
Summary: 4 Stars
I disagree with many of the negative reviews here; I really enjoy the book immensely and have ordered it as a 31st birthday present for our daughter (and it takes a lot for me to order any book - I borrow incessantly from the libraries)!
Yes, I've found a few spelling or grammatical errors and an incorrect year, and it's surprising these weren't caught, but there are so many great things one can say.
As for "Preppie Handbook" of 1980, sure it's MUCH more comprehensive but I've found a ton of inconsistencies - basically the author's whimsical images in many areas - e.g. clothing with no holes vs. wearing only old clothing, etc. Lots of ridiculous, over-the-top stuff but then it gives serious information on certain commercial chains, etc.
I'm not technically a W.A.S.P at all, but I've always identified in many ways with these individuals and the lifestyle, when and where I could afford it. It's certainly my taste much of the time (though at other times I'm in other moods and go in different directions).
The author had many very specific ideas in mind and elaborates on these but avoids others - e.g. politics. Not once is the word "Republican" mentioned, for example. Yes, the Kennedy's are shown and it is hinted some fitting within or connected with the mold could be different political persuasions as well as religions or ethnic origins, races, or income brackets, etc. Frankly, solid reason I've voted Republic in recent elections has to do with an overall lifestyle I've kept in my head..... I do identify with many of these things.
As for the comments here Salk uses her family too much I surely don't see it that way. She had easy access to these photos and using her own family as an example for many traits or furnishings, etc. described, she creates a perfect balance in self-depreciation of sorts with praise.
All in all I see an exquiste balance to the whole book - basically a work of art I find quite alluring in itself. Minus one star for a few true errors I've noticed but otherwise quite perfect!
P.S. I've seen on the web Salk's husband is a Jew; his father is - yes - but I don't believe his mother is, unless she converted. Technically Mr. Salk, the nephew of Dr. Jonas S., is not Jewish unless his mother was or he converted.
Book Review: I N F O R M A T I O N.......P L E A S E ....!
Summary: 3 Stars
This book, "A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style", by Susanna Salk, has many pretty pictures. And, if a picture is worth a thousand words -- then yes, this book is worth the price. However, specific information about the many, varying Wasp schools, businesses,
clubs, etc., is missing here. This is a PERSONAL book, about the life and lifestyle of the authoress, only. Many of the pictures are, thus, over 20 years old. (And many are even older!) If it's information you want, (about present, and even past Wasp hide-aways, schools, living areas, etc.), you'd be far better off with a subscription to TOWN & COUNTRY Magazine....or even taking out a few recent issues from the library! Another, (very!) helpful guide to the Lifestyles of The Rich & Famous, (in the first century of the 21st century), is 'THE OFFFICIAL FILTHY RICH HANDBOOK', by Christopher Tennant, available here on Amazon, (and for which, I must shamelessly here add, I have also written a review.) This book does NOT have lavish colour pictures, or even large black-and-white ones, (which the book here being described, does have) -- but "The Official Filthy Rich Handbook" DOES have many, many names (and addresses, and phone numbers, and WEBSITES!), of various
country-clubs, schools, yacht companies, etc., patronized by the super-rich -- amongst whom, of course, WASPS are a sizable majority, (even today!) Even the classic, "The Official Preppy Handbook", (an oldie but definitely a goodie!), gives more information than this book.
In sum, this is a book for those who (mainly) want (large) colour and black and white photos, only. There is also a text, which gives minimal information on the general WASP lifestyle, but only, largely, biographical info. on the authoress.
On the last pages of this book, is a drawing of a WASP family leaving their summer home, to go back to their main mansion. All the people in this drawing are carrying suitcases. I was shocked. REALLY rich people have servants to do this sort of thing...don't they?????
Book Review: A KINDER, GENTLER WAY OF LIFE
Summary: 5 Stars
Those were the days.... Yes, those were really the days for author Susanna Salk who with A Privileged Life extols the WASP style (sometimes called "preppy") Instead of celebrating it by focusing on wealth or position, Ms. Salk speaks of WASP style as not having anything to do with religion or money but rather as a time she remembers when there was something "profoundly comforting" in the "infinite consistency" of where she grew up. This constant was defined not only by the style of clothing worn but what was done and spoken, where they lived, how they played or entertained, and even what they ate.
Perhaps WASP style is most easily defined in the Foreword penned by Steven Stolman, a self described "nice Jewish boy from West Hartford, Connecticut." He describes it as a sensibility, a conservative ethic, "which was simply the way pretty much everyone dressed and conducted themselves in a traditional New England suburb." As well, I might add in many other suburbs including several in Michigan, Illinois, and other states.
Chapters are devoted to Wasp icons, lifestyle, Ivy League schools, fashion and homes. Each of the 150 beautiful photos (many full-page) is accompanied by a brief explanatory text. Some of these pictures feature Salk's family, others are film stills that exemplify the Wasp style, and many are of those we think of as personifying this style in their lives - Babe Paley, C. Z. Guest, John Cheever, Jackie Kennedy, and many more.
It goes without saying that WASP style has launched many of today's fashion trends (Ralph Lauren, J. Crew) and still bespeaks an elegant, casual way of dressing. More importantly, this affectionately rendered volume reminds us of a kinder, gentler way of life.
Highly recommended.
- Gail Cooke
Book Review: Walk (don't run) and borrow this book from your library
Summary: 1 Stars
I think the editor and the author had one too many G&T's when they thought up the name for this book. It's more of an obituary than celebration. But go ahead and take of a look at it ( borrow unless you want something as embarassing as this on your coffee table); especially since it has the stunning photo of C.Z. Guest, at her prettiest, on the cover. That is really what this book is -- nice photos of (sometimes attractive) waspy-looking people looking like they are having a good time. Admittedly, we all love to look at family and celebrity photos. However, textual content disappoints: it is thin and boils down to the whistfulness/bemoaning of times gone side-by-side with photos(but we all KNOW why there are no images of women in those days gone by at Yale/Harvard/Princeton and no images of people of color except that Ralph Lauren advertisement shot). There are historical/social realities that the author and the book requires us to have amnesia about in order to elevate the lifestyle (and the supposed instrinsic virtures that go along with it) portrayed in this book. This lifestyle, devoid of any consciousness, is depicted as admirable and its merits attributed to the Privileged as defined by the author. It is curious that the author seems to want to claim some Hollywood icons (who couldn't be more remotely a member of her set) as one of her own. But this is her book afterall, and she was able to talk some publisher into producing it. I recommend you buy The Preppy Handbook by Birnbaum, et al. -- a lot more fun and astute, written by real smart kids (at the time) -- they intuited what was on its way "out" would only endure and continue to inspire if everybody thought they could get in.Book Review: Big Ego, Little Info
Summary: 2 Stars
This book breaks the cardinal rule of WASP style-- discretion! The book is basically all about the author, how very WASPy her upbringing was, and what paragons of style her various family members were. As if being born in a rich New England family was some sort of personal achievement. I agree with another reviewer that it could have been really interesting minus the self-absorption and plus information to make it relevant to readers who aren't personal friends of the author or her family-- some discussion of history, architecture, design and so on. As it is, flipping through for five minutes at the bookstore or library should be plenty to get the full effect, there's no need to buy the book.