A Butler's Life: Scenes from the Other Side of the Silver Salver

by Kimberly Allen

Part memoir, part how-to, A Butler's Life -- the account of Christopher Allen’s real-life duties Behind The Silver Salver -- offers a contemporary peek into this fascinating, yet demanding profession. Those for whom the mental picture of a British butler is the impeccable Jeeves or Remains of the Day’s prim Mr. Stevens will find Christopher Allen a surprise and a delight. The engaging Englishman, while no less a paragon of service than his literary peers, is charmingly human in his ongoing endeavor to master a profession whose most perfect representative is invisible. And, for those whose homes might not be staffed with live-in servants but who would enjoy benefiting from their expertise, nearly two dozen sidebars reveal tips of the trade--everything from hints for seamless entertaining to advice on household management. Far from a relic of a past era, Christopher Allen demonstrates that being a butler -- in villas on the Cote d’Azur and in California, on luxury yachts in England and estates in the Hamptons -- is still a very viable, rewarding way to make a living in the twenty-first century.

228 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

In another world, one in which I was better at cooking, I could totally see myself having this job. [grin] This is a collection of no-shit-there-I-was stories, told with dry understatement and considerable humor. I enjoyed watching Christopher go from stumbling into a beginning service job to remaking himself into an estate managing executive with style and efficiency... and humor. People who didn't intend to make their life in the career they ended up with (I suspect this is most of us!) may particularly find a lot to love here, as the glamorous setting and not-so-glamorous tasks combine to make a pretty fine series of opportunities for our hero. I don't think I would have had the patience to take the live-in jobs that he did, I need more time to myself than that, but one of the interesting parts is getting to speculate on what it would be like to have this be your life.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insights to a largely mysterious/misunderstood occupation. Complete with an index of various common duties (how to seat guests and serve at a formal dinner, how to clean crystal, clean a luxury car etc.)

[Jill E. Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is well-written and offers a delightful behind-the scenes peek at the life and work of a professional butler. Full of interesting ancedotes as well as practical information for anyone who likes to entertain in their home.