Shapely Ankle Preferr'd: A History of the Lonely Hearts Ad 1695 - 2010

Francesca Beauman

Open the book

(Enlarge Image)

Published by Vintage, part of Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback

Click below to buy direct from us or from
a selection of other retailers

Buying options

This book is also available as:

Availability

Any Available for dispatch within 1-2 working days

Details

EAN: 9780099513346
Published: 2 Feb 2012

About the book

Synopsis

What do women look for in a man? And what do men look for in a woman? And how and why has this changed over the centuries?

Every week thousands of people advertise for love either in newspapers, magazines or online. But if you think this is a modern phenomenon, think again - the ads have been running for over three hundred years. From the first ad in 1695 from a young gentleman who 'would willingly Match himself to some Good Young Gentlewoman, that has a Fortune of £3000 or thereabouts' to the GSOH, WLTM and online dating of more recent years, each ad is a snapshot of its age. The result is a startling history of sex, marriage and society over three centuries - hilarious and heartbreaking by turn.

About the Author

Francesca Beauman is a writer, historian and television presenter. Born in London in 1977, she was educated at Cheltenham Ladies College then Cambridge University, graduating with a First Class degree in History. She divides her time between London and Los Angeles.