Since
Downton Abbey - Series 1 [DVD], and then the Christmas special of
Upstairs Downstairs [DVD], there has been a gradual build-up of books about life 'In Service' appearing. Many of these books are reprints of past autobiographies and memoirs, but Alison Maloney has produced a new book, which is a brief overview of the whole system. I didn't know what exactly I was going to get with this, but it made a quick interesting read. I am from a traditional working class family, and my great great aunt was in service, plus when I was young I also knew an old woman who first started her working life as a household servant, thus I do have a good idea of the things that went on, plus I have read a lot on the subject.
If like me, you already know quite a lot about this subject you may not be that interested in yet another book, but if you don't know much or anything about what being in service meant, then this will give you a good basic understanding. Margaret Powell is quoted a lot here, and her book
Below Stairs: The Bestselling Memoirs of a 1920s Kitchen Maid is well worth reading.
For me the pricing tables were helpful, as I can now place how much people earned and the cost of things in today's money, plus there are some good illustrations in here and some of the old adverts that used to appear. This book won't be for everyone, but if you are interested in knowing about life in service, or know someone else who is, then this would make a great introduction to the whole subject.