The Homecraft Book: The 1940's domestic guide

by Ann Hathaway, Thaddeus Lovecraft (Introduction)

First published in 1945, this book is a compendium of advice across a myriad of subjects for the post-war woman, wife and mother. By times hilarious, by times disconcerting but always entertaining, it offers bite-sized ampoules of advice on the subjects of house, health, beauty and dress.

Press for The Homecraft Book

The
“a handbook for saving the planet”
“you’ll have the price of the book paid back in no time”
“a right good read”

Woman’s Way
“Vintage advice”

The Irish Times Online Book Reviews
“Think life was easier in 1945? … discover a world of congested scalps, swollen knuckles and furred kettles”

Today with Sean O’Rourke, RTE Radio 1
“Fascinating and Fun”
“I love this woman’s approach”
“I was really impressed…the more I read, the more I enjoyed it.”
“Some of the ideas really did work.”
“She holds her own”
“simple but ingenious”
“entertaining and great fun to try them out”

Genres: Nonfiction

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2015

Reviews

[HattieB · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that shows while a lot of things have changed, in other ways they haven't changed at all.

[Brian Clegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I write this review, Christmas is approaching and many of us are looking for good presents for those difficult-to-buy-for people. I have done my bit for this cause with the science quiz book How Many Moons Does the Earth Have (traditional shameless plug), but even I, through gritted teeth, have to admit that not everyone would greet a science book in their stocking with a cheery smile. And if that's the case, you are recommended to get hold of The Homecraft Book by Ann Hathaway.

In case there's a suspicion that the Hollywood actress is following her colleague Ms Paltrow into telling us how to run our lives, this was the pseudonym of an Irish writer of home tips. Written at the end of the Second World War, the book has been edited by the author's grandson, who has the even more unlikely pseudonym of Thaddeus Lovecraft.

The reader knows that there is a fun trip ahead when seeing the 'mostly non-lethal advice' comment on the cover, reinforced by being informed that we won't need to have a maid (or a Hoover). Some sections are marvellous read aloud, preferably in a Joyce Grenfell voice, e.g. 'use two dusters at the same time - one in each hand when dusting your rooms. You'll find you can do your work much more quickly'. (And don't forget to 'paint your cork tablemat with enamel, cheerful and easy to keep clean.')

Realistically, this isn't the kind of book you are likely to sit and read from end to end as it does contain a lot of lists for advice, for instance on mending everything from the household bucket (using putty) to getting rid of cracks in china (the secret is an application of the anything but harmless quicklime). But it is a great title to dip into and to get a feel for a very different world from our disposable society. Back then, make do and mend was essential - an approach that arguably we can learn a lot from.

Appealing both to older readers for nostalgia reasons and younger trendy folk for its ironic appeal, I expect the book to do very nicely for Christmas. And you will be pleased to know that there is even a section on making the most of your Christmas festivities.

[Anna Katherina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a republished version of a Homemaker's Guide written in the 1940''s by Ann Hathaway; though this version is currently marketed as being for "for the Post War Woman", having been published in 1945 it more correctly would have been for the Pre-War and Wartime Woman- though it no doubt had relevancy for the Post-War Woman as well.

While it's not my era, this  was quite a rare and exciting find on Amazon during my last book haul, as books like these are hard to find in my experience; there are a plethora of Homemaker's Guides from the 1900's and earlier, but it seems very few from the 1930's to the 1950's are easy to get ahold of... My excitement, however, was quickly tempered as soon as I cracked it open.

This version of the book contains an Introduction written by one Mr. "Thaddeus Lovecraft", the apparent Grandson of Ann Hathaway... And Mr. Lovecraft is undoubtedly my least favorite part of this book on all levels; while the no-nonsense warning about the safety and efficiency of materials and methods suggested in the book was appreciated, the introduction that he contributed was ultimately poorly written- and in incredibly poor taste and humor.

Mr. Lovecraft's Introduction to the book provides no real insight into the 1940's, nor offers any real wisdom. Instead, it feels as if he chooses to poke fun at not only at people who take an interest in the era (though there is something to be said abotu those who think the era was legitimately better), but also the Women of the era and the suggestions within the book- and does so in a tone that I'm certainly no stranger to; it's the same one used by a lot of people that turn their nose up to this era, and it was a disappointing addition to such a truly exciting Amazon find.

Additionally, I have a sneaking suspicion that he has also tampered with the book in some areas. One example that smacks of tampering occurs quire early on in the book, and reads:

Every article you have to lift for dusting means so much time cut into your scanty (if any) leisure.

This struck me as being incredibly out of place as, a bit later in the book, there is an entire two paragraphs dedicated to the importance of maintaining your routine in order to provide you with the most late afternoon or evening leisure possible- considering it an especially important part of being efficient as a Housewife; sticking to a rigorous routine, being efficient in that routine, getting it done (and done fast), and not skimping on it.

The programme already suggested in these little pars., packing the greater part of the Housewife’s duties into the morning and early afternoon will be difficult to manage in many cases. It is a fact, nevertheless, that going all out to achieve results early in the day will be rewarded by the evening’s rest and freedom. Even when some jobs overflow, and have got to be taken out of their time, they may be handled in a more leisurely way than when done under the duress imposed by the lack of a methodical routine. Keep the prospect of the care free evening in mind when the work of the day tends to pall. It will make things easier.

The whole objective of our planning and plotting is to try to ensure that some little part of the day may be claimed as her own by the efficient Housewife. To be able to sit down for a couple of hours every evening with a book to read, or to indulge in any other restful pastime, is a necessity; to be able to do so in the knowledge that no duty has been neglected is a comfort and a joy. Then may the cares and the worries of the day be put aside and the luxury of complete relaxation enjoyed to the full. In the presence of friends company, the desultory family conversation and fireside dreaming, may be found every recompense for the day’s extra efforts and the rigid adherence to rules.

As a result, I feel like the tasteless humor of Mr. Lovecraft’s Introduction may have been injected elsewhere in the book- though I would genuinely need to find an unaltered copy to cross reference it against in order to prove such. (I did find one at a lovely archive in Ireland, but unfortunately they don't take american cashier checks and I don't know anyone who would be willing to pay them for me in the UK).

With that being said, however, I genuinely did enjoy the book; from a purely historical perspective, it was nice to see that a majority of the information presented in Sheila Hardy’s A 1950s Housewife stood up against a Homemaker’s Manual from roughly the same era- particularly as it pertains to how much time was actually spent on the Housework, communal aid in Housework (especially when the Housework got out of Hand), and many other tidbits that people seem to ignore when focusing on the propaganda as opposed to the reality.

From the perspective of a Homemaker, though? Obviously, as with anything old and out of date, there are some safety concerns when it comes to ingredients and methods used throughout the book. But if you are intelligent, you should logically already know to take the methods with both a grain of salt and a little bit of research. But still, I was surprised at just how many of the tips were still relevant to a Modern home. More than that, I found that I already practiced a good number of them in my own day to day routine- though there are still more that I may incorporate.

By and by, it is an interesting historical gem that I thoroughly enjoyed and will actually be keeping in my collection- though I might prefer to buckle down and find a copy without Mr. Lovecraft’s ridiculous contributions. And if you’re like me, are interested in 1940’s to 1950’s Domesticity, and enjoy a good Vintage Homemaker Manual? I’d definitely recommend that you do so as well.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got halfway through, but this isn’t really that helpful of a home maintenance manual. Many of the items mentioned are no longer in regular use. I have no idea where I would get my hands on bluing, for example. Also not helpful: this is written like a collection of ideas that haven’t been checked for truthfulness or even authoritatively rewritten cohesively. A newspaper write-in column was just mined for material. You’ll find different answers to the same question scattered through the book. The introduction is hilarious, but the grandson who rereleased his grandma’s book doesn’t seem to have done anything new except make fun of the dangerous chemicals people cleaned with in the 40s in the introduction.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read for anyone interested in the history of home making. It’s also a picture into a society that threw very little away. Things that broke were mended and things that wore out were used to make something else. You can see the effects of a decade long depression followed by a world war. There was no guarantee you could find or afford anything new, so you better take care of what you had.

My only complaint was there were a lot of transcription errors in the text.

[Willow Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book - or pamphlet is a recreation of tips from the 1940s on how to look after the home. Whilst some of the tips are inevitably out of date and feature chemicals which can no longer be purchased; some of the tips are still applicable to today.
This feels like a study in social history - and how much work was to be done by the average housewife.
Overall, a great read and definitely worth keeping on the bookshelves.

[MARSHA · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to do everything but...

I like to learn how things used to be done however the tips found in this book are worth noting. I found a few tips that I actually do instinctively, including categorizing my chores. I also made note of 2 recipes I am going to try.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book to read.😊😊😊

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

How much homemaking has changed in 75 years. As the child of children of WWII it was fascinating to read some of the techniques people used to get by.

[Jill LaSalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Fun book. I love reading vintage homemaking, fashion, and beauty books. Some of these ideas would be fun to try out, like honey and rosewater for hands.