Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By

by Lesley M.M. Blume

The Huffington Post's "Let's Bring Back..." columnist, Lesley M. M. Blume, invites you to consider whatever happened to cuckoo clocks? Or bed curtains? Why do we have so many "friends" but have done away with the much more useful word "acquaintance"? All of these things, plus hot toddies, riddles, proverbs, corsets, calling cards, and many more, are due for a revival. Throughout this whimsical, beautifully illustrated encyclopedia of nostalgia, Blume breathes new life into the elegant, mysterious, and delightful trappings of bygone eras, honoring the timeless tradition of artful living along the way. Inspired by her much loved column of the same name and featuring entries from famous icons of style and culture, Let's Bring Back leads readers to rediscover the things that entertained, awed, beautified, satiated, and fascinated in eras past.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Reference, Humor, Pop Culture, Language, Trivia

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2010

About the author

Lesley M. M. Blume is an author, columnist and journalist. She did her undergraduate work at WIlliams College and Oxford University, and took her graduate degree in history from Cambridge University.
She now regularly contributes to Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal and Departures magazine.

Reviews

[Antigone · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the topic is reminiscence, let's call to mind the Tiffany box.

A sturdy construction in robin's egg blue with stylish black print and a fine white ribbon, a gift so wrapped is recognizable on sight to every high society doyenne alive on the planet Earth. Many's the time I've heard a woman say, upon the appearance of such a treasure, "Well, it's certainly the right color." A hand deigns to extend and accept, the lovely crown of her head tipping slightly in acknowledgement of the trouble one's taken to remain in good graces. Out slips something, preferably another box, this one in black leather or velvet. If he's really lucky (and it's almost always a "he"), a tooth will snag a lower lip as her anticipation mounts. It's a big thing, this box. It is a box that portends greatness.

Chronicle Books is known for producing the literary equivalent of the Tiffany box. These are beautiful volumes expertly crafted from superior materials - the covers are lush, the pages thick, the print selected from a category of font easily imagined to fall under the heading: Lovely. Simply luxurious compositions; a grace to the eye, a pleasure to the hand, and often a clever idea with regard to subject matter...just don't go in expecting much more. It will be stunning the way a starlet is stunning. She may hold any number of fascinations, the meaning of life will not be among them.

Lesley M.M. Blume produces here a compendium of lost (and nearly lost) sundries, notions, practices and expressions. This is nostalgia writ large and lassoed for fond inspection. Entries include the likes of butler's pantries, dressing gowns, imperfect smiles, piano shawls and serenades. (I, myself, will support the return of answering services. There is something tremendously appealing about a gatekeeper standing as bulwark against all of those cheerfully offered surveys.)

The best line in the book comes not from its author but from the ever-so-acerbic Tallulah Bankhead who, upon seeing a former lover for the first time in years, had the temerity to quip: I thought I told you to wait in the car.

A fun bit of fluff...and very pretty.

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although Lesley M.M. Blume's Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By has not been quite as personally annoying and infuriating for and to me as her tome on supposedly forgotten and no longer in use words, idioms and expressions (and while I do indeed appreciate the inclusion of recipes for the diverse food and drink items), still Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By has generally once again been a rather major disappointment (and truth be told, I only ended up reading it because I happened to have it on my Kindle). For aside from the fact that there is no bibliography with suggestions for further reading included in Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By, Lesley M.M. Blume also far too often does not present nearly enough factual background information and details in her blurbs, in her sections describing her forgotten people, objects, words etc. For example, with 4711 Eau de Cologne, well it would need to also be mentioned that it is specifically named after the German city of Cologne (Köln), that 4711 is the Cologne, Germany house number where the scent was originally produced in the 1700s and that basically the word cologne itself for describing a type of scented perfumed water directly comes from the city of Cologne (where this type of less potent perfume was first created).

And thus, while Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By has been entertaining and fun enough to a certain point, the lack of source acknowledgements and the fact that often Lesely M.M. Blume has simply left out too much of what I personally would consider necessary factual information (not to mention that I have also found a very sizeable minority of the inclusions not all that forgotten and not all that uncommon in today's world anyhow), I really cannot consider more than a very grudging two stars for Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By and to only recommend it with some rather major reservations on my part (as I have equally found the author's tone of narrative voice more than a bit annoying and know-it-all at times, with in particular her at best dismissively nasty and snarky attitude towards breast feeding and calling it "fashionable" making me see red).

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looking at the entries one by one, some are very interesting. Reading this book cover to cover is a chore. It’s weird too because I’m not sure of the best readership for this book. Some of the items and activities actually still exist. (Girl Scout cookies, heavy weight boxing, etc.) Some I remember from childhood (white gloves, middies, etc.) (that was kind of fun) and some are older than that, though many can be found today in some little part of the world. (gaslit streetlamps, and many others) Some of the blurbs are amusing and/or informative, but there is no real organization other than an alphabetical list. I’d have loved sections showing when & where in history these items and people existed. I thought I might find this book a lot of fun, but only certain entries were for me. It’s not a great book for research or for writers (due to its simple list format) and for so many of the listed things I had not one iota of interest in them. Most of the blurbs were fun though. So, for me star wise it’s between it was okay and I liked it. 2 ½ stars. I’m rounding down though because reading it wasn’t that enjoyable an experience. I kept borrowing it from the library and having to return it and taking it out again because I didn’t want to give up since I’d invested time in the reading of it. I feel like a curmudgeon as it may be others’ cups of tea more than it was mine.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering that I am known among my friends for drinking GIMLETS, writing with a FOUNTAIN PEN, and carrying a PARASOL on sunny summer days, it's not surprising that I enjoyed Lesley M. M. Blume's Let's Bring Back. Based on her popular Huffington Post column, it's an eclectic compendium of items, foods, phrases, and even qualities (ELEGANCE) that she'd like to see more of in the modern world.

Many of Blume's Let's Bring Back choices would be both easy and fun to revive (PENNY LOAFERS, ROCKING CHAIRS); a few are included for sheer outlandishness ("CHARIOTS: the ultimate status vehicle, especially when drawn by lions or elephants"); some have vanished from the earth and will never be seen again (THE FOX THEATER in San Francisco... sob!). Some of the entries feature historical trivia and straightforward arguments for why we should bring these things back; others are wryly amusing one-liners ("BUTLERS: they provide the household with an air of refinement, so you don't have to").

The nostalgia on display here mostly centers around Victorian quaintness (THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS) and early-20th-century glamour (SATIN PAJAMAS). Bold and stylish women like BANKHEAD, TALLULAH and VREELAND, DIANA get plenty of shout-outs. While Blume frequently bemoans how casual and sloppy modern life can be, it's also clear that she's grateful to be a 21st-century woman who can drink cocktails, wear trousers (preferably WIDE-LEGGED ones), and indulge her VICES ("I'd rather be Scarlett O'Hara than Melanie Wilkes any day of the week"). It's about bringing some sophistication and thoughtfulness into your everyday life, not about turning the clock back wholesale.

Organized alphabetically, Let's Bring Back is the kind of book that it's easy to dip into and out of -- ideal for keeping on your bedside table and reading a bit of every night before you go to sleep. (Perhaps it will bring you glamorous dreams.) And because it's all about nostalgia and things that stand the test of time, it won't go out of style any time soon.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was recently sorting through my books and consolidating bookshelves when I happened across this in a stack. I'm surprised I kept it after my feelings about it. I read this book years ago. Nearly a decade ago, actually, and I still remember the one entry that infuriated me so much that it spurred me to write this review.

WET NURSES: Breastfeeding one's own children is seriously in fashion today; still, it would be nice to have the option. Imagine: a happily breast-fed child, and you get your pretty small breasts back. It's the best of all worlds.

Best of both worlds for whom, Lesley Blume? What a trash take that drips with privilege and contempt for others. Wonderful job reducing a situation that historically pits privilege against poverty down to a socially acceptable bra size.

As for the rest of this book, I found it tedious to get through. The "people" entries are particularly bewildering, as were the entries about items that are still readily available. It's almost as if the author could not decide if this is a history book with notable contributions from humans, or a book about things and just said, "whatever." The content doesn't jive with the title or subtitle.

Could not throw this in the bin fast enough.

Two stars for the cover, though. I can tell the designer put some work into this book, at least.

[Tarissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A refreshing volume that provides the reader with an abundance of useful, fun, and witty wisdom from times gone by. I giggled so many times... found many new (old) favorite things... and was overall fascinated by Lesley M.M. Blume's knowledge of history.

The cons: The only reason I can't give this book 5 stars (no matter how much I wish I could!), is because of the author's lack of discretion. Foul language and inappropriate topics did ruin the book for me, and made it impossible to share with my friends. It's a pity that such a jewel of a book cannot be better relished in.

However, I did discover awesome tidbits among the pages of "Let's Bring Back". So many great people of historical significance become lost in time somewhere; so many buildings and wonderful places in the world that have been destroyed somehow. The world will never see them again, but only through the pages of a book like this.

Quizzing glasses... radio dramas... milk baths... Castle houses (not actually castles)... whispering chairs... cutting gardens... fern-hunting parties... fly-in movie theaters... walk-in fireplaces...

Let's bring them all back.

[Stef · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got through the As and realized if I read any more, I’d get truly pissed at myself for allowing such a waste of time. I have no idea what the author is talking about or why this book exists. “Let’s like this stuff again!” she says of bagels, fake vomit, and nighttime—things that have apparently decreased in importance but to whom? What are you talking about, “Let’s bring back this thing that is still here?” Seriously, what IS this collection except for an alphabetical list of unrelated items that the author likes and assumes no one knows about or remembers? There’s no explanation as why we ought to bring back wicker baby carriages, telegrams, and hipster shaving kits for men. Ugh, WHY DO YOU EXIST, BOOK???

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful book. Best read in short bursts. It can be picked up and put back down in between others. The author and I have some things we’d both bring back (Polaroid cameras, roller skates, formality and specific fun words). I also learned about a few cool things.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s Bring Back is simultaneously inspiring and offensive. The text consists of a number of alphabetized topics that are uncommon or lost in the current age, beginning with the term “Acquaintance” and concluding with Zinc Bars. Some topics are suggested seriously, like Heirlooms and Town Squares; others in jest, such as Roman and Greek Gods (“They were always up to something naughty” is the entire description); and others still are miniature biographies of historical figures.

Some of these entries are entirely benign; I found the recipes for foods and drinks that have fallen out of fashion to be enjoyable, especially. That said, the text includes some content that is at best irritating, and at worst disgusting. Because the author, Mrs. Lesley M. M. Bloom, listed “Poison-Penned Theater Critics” as an institution worth restoring, I feel somewhat encouraged to express my revulsion.

Consider for example the topics Patron Saints and Russian Icons. Mrs. Bloom treats these topics as mere provincial curiosities or fun superstitions that one may play with. However, such a view is certainly deeply offensive to the world’s Catholic and Orthodox Christians, who, despite being outnumbered by Protestants here in America, make up the largest and second-largest Christian bodies in the globe. (Icons, also, are not only Russian. They’re commonly found in churches east of the Rhine and anywhere in the Orthodox tradition.) On a stranger note, she addresses the as-of-yet-unfinished La Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona in the topic “Unfinished Castles by Eccentric Geniuses”, though I am confident she knows the distinction between a cathedral and a castle.

Perhaps the most thoroughly revolting topic the author mentions is, oddly enough, Punch Bowls! Under this innocuous heading, Mrs. Bloom has decided to use the language of pedophilia to describe their appeal. “Punch bowls,” she says, “are the Lolitas of serving ware: filled with pink party punch, they look dainty and sweet and innocent but portend all sorts of naughty behavior.” In the interest of charity, I will assume that the author is unaware of the book Lolita beyond a cursory knowledge that a young woman becomes intimately involved with an older man, and that she does not realize that young woman is prepubescent.

On a lighter note, some topics suggest Mrs. Bloom’s conception of bringing things back is merely anglophilia; her discussion of “Tea Time” suggests she might not be aware that such a practice is far from unheard of overseas. Furthermore, she refers to the term “holiday”, rather than “vacation”, as being a historic term, rather than a part of the British dialects.

Many items discussed suggest a subtle classism in the work. Constantly, she betrays an admiration for the elite of America’s Gilded Age, such as William Randolph Hearst’s unfinished compound, the hiring of wet nurses, and the Grand Tour without mention of the circumstances creating the wealth required for these things. This in itself is not necessarily a problem, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. This is perhaps also reflected in her seemingly feminist views, but her admiration for the term “harlot” as an insult (in the topic “Slattern”), which feels contradictory to me.

That said, these are relatively small issues. Other topics addressed were entirely agreeable, such as “The WPA” (FDR’s Works Progress Administration), “Formality” (in protest against the casual nature of modern American society), and “Latin” (though I am biased, as a Classics major), among others. However, the aforementioned flies in the ointment make the book as a whole less palatable.

[Htom_sirveaux · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a list of random stuff.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful encyclopedia is a wonderful collection of things from bygone times which the author, Lesley Blume believes we should bring back.

The entries range from Ambrosia to Mae West to Bing Crosby to Corsets to Doorbell Pulls to Opera Capes and beyond.

As a quick disclaimer, there is some adult language included in the book. It's few and far between, but included nonetheless, so this book is not for children.

While I must admit I am too young to have grown up with most everything in this book, a part of me has always felt that I was born into the wrong time period.

While most entries may be before my time, they are things I am (for the most part) familiar with nonetheless.

I really think this is a fantastic collection of things we have slowly lost over time that were wonderful.

Plus, the fact that Bing Crosby was included sold me immediately. If he wasn't already dead, I would marry that man! White Christmas, after all, is my holiday tradition every year!


But, back to the book.

I brought it home for Thanksgiving and found that my mom, her fiancé and I spent hours talking about the various things in the encyclopedia. We had such great conversations about each of the ideas within the book, and the conversation was filled with laughter and was quite entertaining.

I have to say that it was a much better way to spend family time together than if we had mindlessly watched tv together instead.

All-in-all, this delightful book is a great conversation piece and a cute, quaint, quick read.

I highly recommend you purchasing a copy for yourself or someone you love.

I am grateful to FSB Media for sending me a review copy. I am not required to write a positive review, but rather an honest one.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have written this review much closer to finishing Let’s Bring Back – sometime in July – as I would have been able to share more delightful specifics. The book is a celebration of nostalgia, of the manners and customs of a better time.

One aspect of the book that I loved was the broad definition of ‘a better time’. In skimming the book together, Mom and I both found aspects of our childhoods – hers from the 50s, mine from the 80s. My grandma, born in 1918, could have done the same. There are remembrances of early 20th century cultural figures – and entries advocating for the return of naps. There are recipes for drinks, and bon mots such as the following list of quotes attributed to Edith Head:

“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.”
“The cardinal sin is not being badly dressed, but wearing the right thing in the wrong place.”
“Your dresses should be tight enough to show you’re a woman and loose enough to prove you’re a lady.”
“Clothes not only can make the woman; they can make her several different women.”
“I say sacrifice style any day for becomingness.”

It was thanks to this book that I knew exactly what a remarkable find I’d made when I found a pair of Elsa Schiaparelli stockings in a lot of six pairs for $12. And thanks to this book, I have yet another argument in support of my favorite color scheme: brown and pink and cream, the colors of Neapolitan ice cream: “Strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate side by side: This combination of pink, white, and brown should be made into the flag of some languorous, pleasure-oriented country.”

A languorous, pleasure-oriented country. I like that. Let’s bring that back as well.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book inundates you in nostalgia, but was not as quirky as I expected. The items Blume selects mainly come from the 19th and 20th centuries, and a lot of them were selected for little more reason than they "looked" cool.

Like corsets? Let's not bring back corsets. They bring nothing but discomfort for the wearer and the extinction of whales. And chimney sweeps. That was pretty much hazardous child labor. How about we send children to the mines too, because those soot covered faces looked soooo cute!

It's worth noting that a lot of the positive trends from past eras are somewhat available. Performers of the days of yore have been immortalized in movies and music that we can download from the Internet, a lot of toys and items from the days of yore can be found fairly cheaply at thrift or antique stores, and not much can really stop one from pursuing the skill of calligraphy or the language of flowers. Our current age has made the past very accessible.

Sometimes the nostalgia can get a little too tiresome, like you've been dropped into a conversation with old retirees who are griping about how things were so much better in the past and everything today is crappy. You might want to take a few breaks from it or read Good Old Days, My Ass as a counterpoint.

[Leanne O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up totally judging it by the cover (the thing you aren't supposed to do) but was pleasantly surprised anyway. It's set up in a dictionary style sort of way with different descriptions of items/ideas/people/places that should be "brought back" into modern times. I'm a sucker for nostalgia/vintage/retro memorabilia and this book honors all of that. Let's bring back double features, playing cards, courtship, vanity tables, and picnics in graveyards!

This book gives a brief history on old traditions long forgotten and some already known but pushed on the back-burner. It's a fun read and a good inspiration for some new things to do or different things to seek out next time you are at a yard sale or antique store.

[Joni Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chosen as my "tea-time reading material", I worked through this book front to back and found entertainment on every page. There were some listings that I could view nostalgically (such as music boxes, malteds, bookplates, or punch bowls) but mostly this encyclopedia gave me the joy of cluing me in on things of whimsy that I hadn't even thought of or known before. And now that I have discovered them, I give a hearty echoing vote of "Yes, let's bring (them) back!" Also, Blume's writing alone is witty and charming to the point that I would request that SHE come back with more for me to read and delight in.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the other Let's Bring Back book I've read and reviewed here, this is fun and informative. I got both to use as references in writing fiction. However, this is a great book to sit and browse through. One interesting note: this book is apparently in fairly high demand - I ordered it online, only to get an email from the bookstore apologizing that they'd sold their last copy and refunding my money. Six times!

Recommended, if you're the kind of reader who finds things like those turn-of-the-20th-century Sears catalogues fascinating, and who could think they aren't?

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent walk down "Nostalgia Lane", but quite a lot of these once popular or commonplace items should fall back into fashion. And more than a few of them (terms and words in particular) I myself use. My favorite is the word "wipersnapper". It is so much fun to say and usually fits the obnoxious child / young adult / person I am forced to work with or associate with, to a tea.

"Old" doesn't mean useless! "New" doesn't mean better!

But this "new" book, full of "old" things is a fun read.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I love this author. Not just her skills with the pen. Not just her writing. I love her. At least, I love her public persona. Click here and watch this really cool video for the book. It's wonderful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg9Hbf...

I vote Lesley M.M. Blume as the living author I'd most like to meet. OK, she ties with Sherman Alexie.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun quick book. It is about stuff that is no longer considered modern or is in danger of not being considered modern. It is arranged alphabetically and contains people, places, words, and objects. There were a huge amount of things I had never heard of, and a few I didn't care about, but overall, I enjoyed this book.

[MW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put: I loved this book. I was also delighted to find out that most people fancied that these ideas and social norms of yesteryear make a come back and for the sake of today's society, I hope they do! Thank you, Ms. Blume for making us realize that we do have the ability to exude civility even in modern times.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's bring back more books like these...

[MarinnaC · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a deliciously sentimental book Written as an alphabetical list of items, clothing, people, buildings, etc. that are no longer around/common place, it's delightful.
It is 100% personal opinion, but Blume has good opinions.
And honestly, have a computer near you (yes, I see the irony) because she mentions some neat stuff you'll want to check out. Who knew my favorite modern fasion designer was an Italian woman loathed by Coco Channel? And Tula furniture is dope, how can we not have that in this age of Instagram? And you know what, whatever did happen to laundry chutes?
It's a fun read, definitely quality material for your coffee table or bathroom, whatever floats your boat.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I alternated this book with the one on medical experiments I reviewed earlier. In between, I read a a mystery and a romance novel and started a romantic suspense.
The book is based on the witty "Bring Back" column of the Huffington Post.
It reminds us of all the things we once thought were essential, but are now part of out pasts, i.e., corsets, parasols, hot toddies, bed curtains, cuckoo clocks, etc. It asks the question of whether they are worth our reviving them. It comes in at 256 pages.

[Sam (Bookpaperraven) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly not a book to sit down and binge, but fun to pick up from time to time. As someone who very much enjoys vintage, I thought I would enjoy this more. However, I did find it contained many entries that perhaps only people from a very privileged status would experience, or know about, which gave the book a bit of a snooty tone. My favourite entries were the recipes.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this in a free book box and it was as interesting as I thought it would be. I like the included ribbon bookmark. I DNF not because I didn't enjoy it, but it's just a lot to read at once. This a perfect book to keep in your bathroom - you can read a paragraph, learn something new, then put it down without missing out on continuity.

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this book and read a few of the entries. It's full of interesting activities, items, and fact that make this a great resource book if you're looking for a little old fashioned charm or something new to add to your daily routine.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's basically a book about a list—a list of manners, books, clothing, entertainment, politics, recipes, household products, and various and sundry ordinary things that were once common, but have now gone out of vogue. It was originally part of a a Facebook feed, so it's easy to imagine its content. It's fun.

[Maxine Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I did read this straight through and very much enjoyed it as a little history lesson. I stopped at various points along the way to look more into different entries. I'm a nostalgic and love learning and remembering things of the past. I have a list of new things to read and watch.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some cute inclusions but many questionable ones (e.g. teepees and wampum, and saying Josephine Baker was chocolate-coloured, and bringing back wet nurses so you get your cute little breasts back... just no)

[Allison Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then I read this incredibly entertaining book. I had to google a lot of stuff I couldn't visualize in my mind and I wanted to explore some of the things in it in greater detail. Full of charming things! I've got about thirty plus markers in to copy down quotes and recipes and whatnot. 😊