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Bright Young Things: Life in the Roaring Twenties
Bright Young Things is a thoroughly entertaining non-fiction account of 'the real Downton Abbey', which brings to life the historical backdrop of the series in an informative, fun and engaging book.
So step into a time of hot jazz and even hotter all-night dance halls, as Alison Maloney shares the gossip about life in the Roaring Twenties. Read all about it: high society's scandalous exploits, fresh new fashions, the Charleston dance craze, costume parties, talking movies and, of course, the feisty flapper.
With chapters such as Makin' Whoopee, Cocktail Hour and Upstairs, Downstairs, Bright Young Things takes a sweeping look at the changing society of the Jazz Age, as life below stairs vanished forever, loose morals ran riot, and new inventions made it seem anything was possible. Peppered with first-person accounts that convey the spirit of the era in the words of those who lived it, Bright Young Things is a scintillating celebration of a truly iconic decade.
So step into a time of hot jazz and even hotter all-night dance halls, as Alison Maloney shares the gossip about life in the Roaring Twenties. Read all about it: high society's scandalous exploits, fresh new fashions, the Charleston dance craze, costume parties, talking movies and, of course, the feisty flapper.
With chapters such as Makin' Whoopee, Cocktail Hour and Upstairs, Downstairs, Bright Young Things takes a sweeping look at the changing society of the Jazz Age, as life below stairs vanished forever, loose morals ran riot, and new inventions made it seem anything was possible. Peppered with first-person accounts that convey the spirit of the era in the words of those who lived it, Bright Young Things is a scintillating celebration of a truly iconic decade.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 25, 2023
A fun, beautifully illustrated and formatted handbook to the 1920s with segments on fashion, pop-culture, music, movies, and the effect of Prohibition on the social scene. A great overview of the era with a few vintage cocktail recipes scattered throughout. While this isn’t an in-depth resource, I’d recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the Roaring Twenties.
April 11, 2015
This was a super short and super sweet introducion to the unique culture of the 1920s. The informatio was all super interesting and definitely piqued my interest in finally reading some more of F. Scott Fitzgeralds books as well as finally tackling some Waugh. I definitely wished it was longer or more detailed though! Obviously that's not what the book was meant to be, but I kept reading 2 sentences about someone, falling madly in love with them, and then getting frustrated when we moved onto the next topic suddenly. More detail, more! Definitely good as a very general intro though.
May 7, 2013
Awesome. I learned a lot about the Roaring Twenties and the Flapper attitude (did you know the term flapper originally meant a young girl learning how to soar but then the word made it's transition to mean loose woman? Hmmm. Interesting). Also, did you know that bathtub gin was literally poisonous. One type of brew, distilled from ordinary fruits and plants, was so strong it made your insides bleed. The cocktail recipes are nice but they all contain a lot of sugar to mask the taste of this deadly liquor. I did get some good book, song, and movie recs though. Also, I will be drinking champagne out of tea cups from now on.
September 18, 2017
Cute and quick read. Gave me a lot of cocktail recipes and other books to read.
December 28, 2012
A friend received a review copy of this and passed it on to me as she knows I am a 1920s nut. While it was certainly an interesting enough read, it was a bit too lightweight for me I think - as I say, I am a total obsessive about this era and it didn't cover any new ground for me.
That said, if you're a newcomer to the era of the bright young things and want an introductory book to have a browse through, it certainly covers a lot of ground. It's the ideal book to dip in and out of - particularly over Christmas, which is when I read it. Everything is touched on - from celebrities and key characters of the era to cocktails, crime and literature.
There's no more than about a paragraph on every subject, with lots of lists and short profiles of key characters. This means it covers plenty of ground, although I suspect that if you were a newcomer to this era it would leave you wanting to know more aout some of the stories covered.
All in all, it's a light enough read and fun to browse through, but is really a very basic introduction to what I consider to be a fascinating era.
If you do read this and find yourself wanting more, I highly recommend Bright Young People: The Rise and Fall of a Generation 1918-1940 :)
That said, if you're a newcomer to the era of the bright young things and want an introductory book to have a browse through, it certainly covers a lot of ground. It's the ideal book to dip in and out of - particularly over Christmas, which is when I read it. Everything is touched on - from celebrities and key characters of the era to cocktails, crime and literature.
There's no more than about a paragraph on every subject, with lots of lists and short profiles of key characters. This means it covers plenty of ground, although I suspect that if you were a newcomer to this era it would leave you wanting to know more aout some of the stories covered.
All in all, it's a light enough read and fun to browse through, but is really a very basic introduction to what I consider to be a fascinating era.
If you do read this and find yourself wanting more, I highly recommend Bright Young People: The Rise and Fall of a Generation 1918-1940 :)
June 3, 2017
Quite the fun little "how-to" guide to the Twenties!! Flappers and fashion, drinks and dancing, movies and music. Recommended to all who are nostalgic for this glamorous decade!
March 5, 2023
This is a short and visually entertaining book that covers highlights of the 1920’s and the scene involving The Bright Young Things; a term describing the generation that decided to break out of conventional behaviors that had essentially trapped people in roles. After the WW1, people had had it.
This is not a deep dive into the 1920’s psychology etc…. This is a fun book that gives you a taste of the era in giving you the names of those who led this party as well as a literal recipe of various drinks of the time. The slang, the movies, the writers, the music, the clubs, the parties… are all touched upon. It’s great book to give someone to pique their interest and give them names and references if they want to dive a little deeper into the time.
A quick, and fun dive into the world. Generations today who do many of these things are indebted to this generation who broke a lot of social mores and brought about a lot of changes for women and artists/musicians of color.
This is not a deep dive into the 1920’s psychology etc…. This is a fun book that gives you a taste of the era in giving you the names of those who led this party as well as a literal recipe of various drinks of the time. The slang, the movies, the writers, the music, the clubs, the parties… are all touched upon. It’s great book to give someone to pique their interest and give them names and references if they want to dive a little deeper into the time.
A quick, and fun dive into the world. Generations today who do many of these things are indebted to this generation who broke a lot of social mores and brought about a lot of changes for women and artists/musicians of color.
November 17, 2018
What a fun, pretty little book. Full of great facts, stories, and art. I could have done without the recipes/games/weird directions, but I loved this basic overview of the 1920s.
I went into this with research in mind... Came out of it a bit obsessed with Josephine Baker. Seriously, listen to this:
"Born in Missouri, Josephine Baker was introduced to vaudeville after she was spotted dancing for money on street corners at the age of fifteen. After a spell in Harlem, she moved to Paris to star at the Folies Bergère, causing a stir with her sensual dancing, comedic talent, uninhibited routines, and barely-there costumes. She was the first African American woman to become an international entertainer, and was showered with gifts from admirers, including motorcars, precious gems, and more than 1,500 marriage proposals. She went on to become a leading supporter of the civil rights movement in the United States, and an active member of the French Resistance during the Second World War. She also raised twelve adopted children from various ethnic backgrounds."
What. A. Queen.
I went into this with research in mind... Came out of it a bit obsessed with Josephine Baker. Seriously, listen to this:
"Born in Missouri, Josephine Baker was introduced to vaudeville after she was spotted dancing for money on street corners at the age of fifteen. After a spell in Harlem, she moved to Paris to star at the Folies Bergère, causing a stir with her sensual dancing, comedic talent, uninhibited routines, and barely-there costumes. She was the first African American woman to become an international entertainer, and was showered with gifts from admirers, including motorcars, precious gems, and more than 1,500 marriage proposals. She went on to become a leading supporter of the civil rights movement in the United States, and an active member of the French Resistance during the Second World War. She also raised twelve adopted children from various ethnic backgrounds."
What. A. Queen.
November 14, 2021
I love the 1920s and I loved this little book. This is a little "help" guide for all those who love the roaring twenties and would like to relive those moments. This book tells it all. I don't know what it is about the 20s, but to me there is something magical about that era. This little book is a very cute guide to everything that makes the twenties roar!
From describing the ultimate in flapper fashion, the drop waist, sleeveless dresses to what games were played at parties, drinks served and even what slang was spoken, there is a little of everything here. All the more to guide you to throw an authentic twenties party. It even tells you what kind of parties were thrown, what music played and what movies were watched. You can dress like a flapper, make-up and hat, and even host a scavenger hunt like the outrageous ones hosted by some of the more daring groups.
I recommend this fun little book to any who want an ultimate guide to the twenties. Great fun!
From describing the ultimate in flapper fashion, the drop waist, sleeveless dresses to what games were played at parties, drinks served and even what slang was spoken, there is a little of everything here. All the more to guide you to throw an authentic twenties party. It even tells you what kind of parties were thrown, what music played and what movies were watched. You can dress like a flapper, make-up and hat, and even host a scavenger hunt like the outrageous ones hosted by some of the more daring groups.
I recommend this fun little book to any who want an ultimate guide to the twenties. Great fun!
February 25, 2018
Really only one for the total novice of the period. I picked this up in 3 for £1 at the library booksale and I'm glad I didn't spend any more than that because, sadly, I knew pretty much everything in here (and more about most of the featured personalities). If you want a basic introduction to the period, this will do that for you, but you'll probably be left wanting more. I was hoping that I'd be able to get more reading ideas from the bibliography at the back, and I did get a couple, but I'd also read 7 of the 25 books on the bibliography already and could think of another couple of books that would make good additions to it that were out when it was published - and another couple that have come out since.
Hey ho.
Hey ho.
February 7, 2023
I read this for novel research as I'm working on something set in a Jazz age fantasy world. This didn't quite have enough for what I needed. It's sort of a combined short history on the 20s paired with tips for throwing your own Roaring 20's themed party. I needed a little more history and less party-planning, but if I ever decide to throw an epic theme party, this book has me covered with drink recipes and fashion tips. I really enjoyed the design of this book, which is what drove me to pick it up. It would be a nice coffee table book or something to keep at our bar for cocktail recipes.
April 2, 2020
A great introductory book into the wild world that was the 1920s. Covers everything from slang words, fashion, influencers and Hollywood stars of the day as well as cocktail recipes, films and music for you to try and enjoy.
The book is quite short and doesn’t go into much detail but it gives you a great starting point for further research. Plus it has beautiful typography reminiscent of the era.
The book is quite short and doesn’t go into much detail but it gives you a great starting point for further research. Plus it has beautiful typography reminiscent of the era.
February 25, 2018
This is mostly just a cute little coffee table kind of book that briefly highlights some of the famous fun parts of 1920s western culture. Nothing very in depth. It does include some fun drink recipes and party ideas though.
July 12, 2018
A sweet little book that takes you to a vibrant decade of glamour, jazz, cocktails and cultural turbulence. Well written, with curious bits and pieces about music, fashion, famous characters and cocktail recipes. Perfect for a rainy afternoon
May 18, 2017
Fun, brief review of the roaring twenties with examples from the U.S. and the U.K. Includes cocktail recipes and sample films to watch.
January 24, 2018
Loved it. Light and airy, a perfect weekend "getaway". Never considered The Doctor's real name was not actually David Tennant til now.
February 28, 2018
A short, fun read about this transformative time between the First World War and the 1929 Crash. Booze, jazz, dancing, fashion and cocktails ushered in modern times in many ways.
January 13, 2020
A quick, cute read.
July 6, 2021
Amazing! For any 20's buff I highly recommend!
October 23, 2025
Fun and engaging, but better as a reference or book to dip into than a survey one might read straight through. There were a few factual mistakes.
December 31, 2014
This frothy bubbly book tells the history of the "bright young things" of the Roaring 20s and gives tips on how to drink, dress, talk & party like a flapper. Among the short vignettes about the "It" people of the decade, you'll find recipes for Prohibition-era cocktails, quotable quips, tips for throwing themed parties, a how-to guide for dancing the Charleston and applying lipstick in a perfect Cupid's bow, a list of jazz hits for your next mix, instructions for a Roaring 20s scavenger hunt, a list of books written during the era and tons more stuff you didn't know you *wanted* to know! It's a fun, breezy (and educational…shhh!!!) read perfect for any fan of the 1920s. This book is the cat's pajamas ;)
May 21, 2013
A short introduction to the 1920s, Bright Young Things gives a brief cultural history of the 1920s complete with instructions on how to act, speak, dress, apply make-up and host parties like the flappers of the roaring twenties. This would be a nice addition to a classroom library to pique student interest in the decade, but is not extensive enough to be a detailed account of the important figures and events of the 1920s.
December 31, 2013
The book was a short, fun, light read. The book's appeal comes from mini facts about various aspects of the 1920 's, such as the lifestyle of flappers (drinks, the hollywood crowd, the fashions worn, etc). I also liked how the author gave examples of replicating the time period for today. There are recipes for cocktails, tips on flapper makeup, and advice on how to throw a party the way a flapper had (music of the time period included).
March 4, 2015
I really liked this book. I wasn’t expecting much since it’s small but it’s packed full of information. The chapters are short and I would have loved for them to be longer but it was still a nice read. I loved how it included book lists, music, slang, dress code, movies, people and lots of info on where to get more books on certain subjects. I found myself looking up a lot of the books it mentioned. I’m giving it 5 stars because, well it’s so full of good info I’ll be hanging onto this one.
November 8, 2014
I was expecting something with a little more content before I started reading this book. It's very much an overview of the 1920's with cute little "dress like a flapper!" type pages. However it's such a gorgeous book, all those art deco patterns in blue and gold, and an enjoyable read. The best part must be the cocktail recipes, can't wait to try some of them out.
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November 4, 2013Interesting little book read in about 1/2 an hour. Less about history, and more about how to throw a good themed party, with some interesting trivia in it as well. Fun coffee table book with anecdotes, that can also make for a really fun party if you want to try. Next time I go to the Library I am going to write down the one of 12 Drink recipes which looked really good.
February 16, 2014
Gotta admit that I went into this book for a quick read. I am behind on my books and this nice short read was able to be done in 1 hour.
On that note, this was actually an enjoyable, well researched, light read on a wild period of time. To boot, the author offers plenty of ideas for going back in time and hosting your own roaring 20's party complete with drink ideas.
On that note, this was actually an enjoyable, well researched, light read on a wild period of time. To boot, the author offers plenty of ideas for going back in time and hosting your own roaring 20's party complete with drink ideas.
May 24, 2015
A short guide to the roaring twenties that focuses on the lifestyle of the bright young people. The book contains recommendactions for music, movies, literature and cocktails from the 1920s and gives advice on popular leisure activities of the day.
July 19, 2015
A delightful little primer on the 20s, and one I can see being used as a tool in my history classes. Mind you, I think it gets a bit carried away with its desire to be a mixologist's handbook...and it goes a touch overboard on the art deco fonts when using quotes.
October 5, 2016
Full of eye-popping Art Deco illustrations and typography, this colorful collection of quotes, cocktails, and clothes is an artistic guide to the Jazz Age, from speakeasies to the silent screen. This book is not only informative, it's fun to read (and just plain look at!).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews