There seems to be a needless dispute going on here.
This book is both a helpful guide to both the hazards of etiquette for those of us baffled by place settings and such AND it is a work of comic genius describing, with the barest flicker of irony though the author clearly subscribes to them, the more lunatic codes of a pampered class.
I have always felt that manners are to do with courtesy and making your fellow man or woman feel at ease, whereas etiquette is more to do with putting the other person on the back foot, but this volume will help you with both : alerting you to the needs and perceptions of others as well as protecting the unwary from seemingly impenetrable social obstacles.
If you are one of those people who keep small volumes in their smallest room then this is far more valuable and browseable than most of the "novelty" books you will end up getting as Christmas presents.