A Book for the Modern Girl, 21 Oct 2008
As someone who didn't grow up with a housewife for a mum, I didn't know anything about organization or cleaning and I thought cooking meant jacket potatoes.
I really appreciate this book because it can be applied to anyone, even someone with absolutely no knowledge of how to keep house which is how I was. If you feel overwhelmed and you don't know where to even begin, then this book is for you. It is also for you if you have the house fairly under control, but just need some new ideas to inspire you. The book is divided into sections, which you can go through at your own pace. This enables you to take baby steps, and sort out your house around your own schedule.
Some people rubbish housework and think it is a menial job. But your surroundings do have a big impact on you, and if you can be organized at home, all other areas of your life will also improve.
I recommend the DVD series that this book accompanies also, they are very motivational and inspiring when you see the before and after's

A great Potters export-thumbs up for Anthea!, 11 Aug 2008
I often wish I had 36 hours rather than 24 in a day. The firt time I tuned into Antheas show I was expecting something like bootcamp however found it quite pleasant to watch.
I quickly ordered her 'manual' as soon as it become available and I must say I am very very impressed with the book.
I, like many busy people have a chest freezer which although seems to be full a full meal could never be cooked from its contents. Anthea has clear guidelines on what you can freeze and how to freeze it (e.g. you can freeze a cake-for simplicity just cut it beforehand). Since reading the kitchen chapter I have made some changes in my routine. My mum also makes shopping lists now and we often do our shopping at less busier times (to avoid queuing times).
Cleaning is now less of a chore-10 minutes spent in the bathroom cleaning the sink which you wait for the toilet cleaner to work its magic is nothing in the grand theme of things. It will save you time down the line (the less dirt, the easier it is to clean).
I'm even giving meal planning a shot!

A book I can recommend to any of the following:

men living alone (or in a big group)
students-male and female
anyone who has recently moved out of their parents home
newly weds moving in together (will save a lot of tears at cleaning time)
new mummies who have no time to do anything
work from home people who find it hard to find time to do daily chores
new stay at home mums/wives/husbands
...plus anyone else who is struggling to grasp the functions of their vacuum, duster and mop and bucket.

A great manual which will make a great housewarming present.

I have just purchased Antheas entertaining in style book and shall post a review soon.

Hail Queen Anthea!, 16 Jun 2008
My friends all laugh at me and say I have OCD cleaning issues, but Antheas book informed me that I am running a tidy household! Her tips are great, especially her spring cleaning list, which I am working through just now even though it is summer. The tips for cleaning out your wardrobes have inspired me to get a babysitter this week and devote a day to tackle my wardrobe problems. I found the book quite positive and inspirational in parts. I have read a lot of it previously in a 1950's book I found about home management and just wonder how much Anthea got from historical cleaning routines that have been written about. Nevertheless, this is a good book and tends itself well for the new housekeeper, it can be daunting if you are not quite as precise as Anthea and may leave you feeling you are 'not quite' meeting standards expected, but it gives you something to aim for, I loved Antheas TV series and bought the dvd to actually watch the tips in action, again, as another reviewer stated, it would have been nice to have some demonstration pics in the book. I have changed my opinion of Anthea, I did honestly think (sorry Anthea!) that she was a bit of a nobody, but my opinions have definately changed and I hope she does another series. I really do think that a lot more woman would like to devote more time to their households but the pace and way of life these days means woman are split in so many directions, I am just thankful my life allows me the freedom to work and also keep an orderly home.
4 stars Anthea!

Please don't buy this TV cash-in, 26 Dec 2007
Surely having a happy home is vastly more important than feeling inadequate because the never-seen-or-used upward facing sill of your doorframes are dusty. I agree very strongly with all the points made in the review by flingthecow in June 2007.

If you are thinking about buying this book, please consider that Anthea Turner makes her living from her public image and in this case by the humiliation of the "students" on this show. She is one of today's "celebrities" who appear on reality shows, sell photo rights of their wedding day to gossip magazines. I understand that the premise of the book and the tv series is that Anthea maintains the enormous mansion shown on TV to her exacting standards with no help, and that this "perfect housewife" image has been very helpful to Anthea in terms of combatting some of the less flattering media coverage. To me it seems somewhat implausible that she isn't employing someone, if only to allow her enough time for her media appearances etc. There has been a lot of public concern over other TV misrepresentaions of the truth recently and I wonder if the more subtle ones may be also be quite damaging.

Preachy rant over, I am very sorry to say that I am now about to buy a copy of this book and DVD for my sister-outlaw. Perhaps my bitterness is because she has rejected the present which we spent hours searching for and fixing up. So, faced with the prospect of moodiness at family get-togethers, and my partner getting to see his delightful nieces even less often than he already does, my ideological objections to this cheap TV cash-in have been banished in favour of express delivery.

sigh....


Inspiration & Motivation!, 01 Aug 2007
I find that books like this one (ie How Clean Is Your House, 10 Minute Housekeeping, Sink Reflections, etc.) as well as the related shows out there are motivators for me. I enjoy finding out new things about household management, organization, and cleaning just as I enjoy trying out new recipes. You may not use every single tip that's in the book but I'll bet you do find one or two things that you hadn't thought of or tried before! If in the long run it's going help me apply KISS (Keep It Supremely Simple) principles then I'm all for it.

While the book is catagorized very well, I find that I can pick it up and start reading anywhere. The book & show have inspired me and given me that theoretical "kick in the pants". Now I am definitely not going to win Homemaker of the Year but I can honestly say that Anthea & her book have given me food for thought and inspired me to want to do better. I will NEVER have a house as clean as hers but if I can use just a portion of the ideas and routines she presents, then maybe I won't have to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off when it comes time for the holidays, or company coming.

I don't think that a clean, well managed house and warm inviting home are mutually exclusive! It's just nice to know that if I WANT to use some special touches(like when mother-in-law visits) or need some practical information - I have a wonderful resource to guide me.

***** The only thing lacking is the same comment previous reviewers have had and that is I wish there were some detailed diagrams & photos to go along with some of the things she has demonstated on her show.

I am from the US and extremely envious that those of you in Region 2 are able to purchase and at least WATCH Anthea's DVD as well. I don't know if or when I'll see the show again on the BBCA channel.

Who do I need to talk to about getting some of your wonderful shows in the UK on DVDs that we can play here in the US??!!

A Book for the Modern Girl, 21 Oct 2008
As someone who didn't grow up with a housewife for a mum, I didn't know anything about organization or cleaning and I thought cooking meant jacket potatoes.
I really appreciate this book because it can be applied to anyone, even someone with absolutely no knowledge of how to keep house which is how I was. If you feel overwhelmed and you don't know where to even begin, then this book is for you. It is also for you if you have the house fairly under control, but just need some new ideas to inspire you. The book is divided into sections, which you can go through at your own pace. This enables you to take baby steps, and sort out your house around your own schedule.
Some people rubbish housework and think it is a menial job. But your surroundings do have a big impact on you, and if you can be organized at home, all other areas of your life will also improve.
I recommend the DVD series that this book accompanies also, they are very motivational and inspiring when you see the before and after's

A great Potters export-thumbs up for Anthea!, 11 Aug 2008
I often wish I had 36 hours rather than 24 in a day. The firt time I tuned into Antheas show I was expecting something like bootcamp however found it quite pleasant to watch.
I quickly ordered her 'manual' as soon as it become available and I must say I am very very impressed with the book.
I, like many busy people have a chest freezer which although seems to be full a full meal could never be cooked from its contents. Anthea has clear guidelines on what you can freeze and how to freeze it (e.g. you can freeze a cake-for simplicity just cut it beforehand). Since reading the kitchen chapter I have made some changes in my routine. My mum also makes shopping lists now and we often do our shopping at less busier times (to avoid queuing times).
Cleaning is now less of a chore-10 minutes spent in the bathroom cleaning the sink which you wait for the toilet cleaner to work its magic is nothing in the grand theme of things. It will save you time down the line (the less dirt, the easier it is to clean).
I'm even giving meal planning a shot!

A book I can recommend to any of the following:

men living alone (or in a big group)
students-male and female
anyone who has recently moved out of their parents home
newly weds moving in together (will save a lot of tears at cleaning time)
new mummies who have no time to do anything
work from home people who find it hard to find time to do daily chores
new stay at home mums/wives/husbands
...plus anyone else who is struggling to grasp the functions of their vacuum, duster and mop and bucket.

A great manual which will make a great housewarming present.

I have just purchased Antheas entertaining in style book and shall post a review soon.

Hail Queen Anthea!, 16 Jun 2008
My friends all laugh at me and say I have OCD cleaning issues, but Antheas book informed me that I am running a tidy household! Her tips are great, especially her spring cleaning list, which I am working through just now even though it is summer. The tips for cleaning out your wardrobes have inspired me to get a babysitter this week and devote a day to tackle my wardrobe problems. I found the book quite positive and inspirational in parts. I have read a lot of it previously in a 1950's book I found about home management and just wonder how much Anthea got from historical cleaning routines that have been written about. Nevertheless, this is a good book and tends itself well for the new housekeeper, it can be daunting if you are not quite as precise as Anthea and may leave you feeling you are 'not quite' meeting standards expected, but it gives you something to aim for, I loved Antheas TV series and bought the dvd to actually watch the tips in action, again, as another reviewer stated, it would have been nice to have some demonstration pics in the book. I have changed my opinion of Anthea, I did honestly think (sorry Anthea!) that she was a bit of a nobody, but my opinions have definately changed and I hope she does another series. I really do think that a lot more woman would like to devote more time to their households but the pace and way of life these days means woman are split in so many directions, I am just thankful my life allows me the freedom to work and also keep an orderly home.
4 stars Anthea!

Please don't buy this TV cash-in, 26 Dec 2007
Surely having a happy home is vastly more important than feeling inadequate because the never-seen-or-used upward facing sill of your doorframes are dusty. I agree very strongly with all the points made in the review by flingthecow in June 2007.

If you are thinking about buying this book, please consider that Anthea Turner makes her living from her public image and in this case by the humiliation of the "students" on this show. She is one of today's "celebrities" who appear on reality shows, sell photo rights of their wedding day to gossip magazines. I understand that the premise of the book and the tv series is that Anthea maintains the enormous mansion shown on TV to her exacting standards with no help, and that this "perfect housewife" image has been very helpful to Anthea in terms of combatting some of the less flattering media coverage. To me it seems somewhat implausible that she isn't employing someone, if only to allow her enough time for her media appearances etc. There has been a lot of public concern over other TV misrepresentaions of the truth recently and I wonder if the more subtle ones may be also be quite damaging.

Preachy rant over, I am very sorry to say that I am now about to buy a copy of this book and DVD for my sister-outlaw. Perhaps my bitterness is because she has rejected the present which we spent hours searching for and fixing up. So, faced with the prospect of moodiness at family get-togethers, and my partner getting to see his delightful nieces even less often than he already does, my ideological objections to this cheap TV cash-in have been banished in favour of express delivery.

sigh....


Inspiration & Motivation!, 01 Aug 2007
I find that books like this one (ie How Clean Is Your House, 10 Minute Housekeeping, Sink Reflections, etc.) as well as the related shows out there are motivators for me. I enjoy finding out new things about household management, organization, and cleaning just as I enjoy trying out new recipes. You may not use every single tip that's in the book but I'll bet you do find one or two things that you hadn't thought of or tried before! If in the long run it's going help me apply KISS (Keep It Supremely Simple) principles then I'm all for it.

While the book is catagorized very well, I find that I can pick it up and start reading anywhere. The book & show have inspired me and given me that theoretical "kick in the pants". Now I am definitely not going to win Homemaker of the Year but I can honestly say that Anthea & her book have given me food for thought and inspired me to want to do better. I will NEVER have a house as clean as hers but if I can use just a portion of the ideas and routines she presents, then maybe I won't have to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off when it comes time for the holidays, or company coming.

I don't think that a clean, well managed house and warm inviting home are mutually exclusive! It's just nice to know that if I WANT to use some special touches(like when mother-in-law visits) or need some practical information - I have a wonderful resource to guide me.

***** The only thing lacking is the same comment previous reviewers have had and that is I wish there were some detailed diagrams & photos to go along with some of the things she has demonstated on her show.

I am from the US and extremely envious that those of you in Region 2 are able to purchase and at least WATCH Anthea's DVD as well. I don't know if or when I'll see the show again on the BBCA channel.

Who do I need to talk to about getting some of your wonderful shows in the UK on DVDs that we can play here in the US??!!

Pleasantly surprised!, 14 Nov 2008
Having already had Anthea's 'How to be the Perefct Housewife' book, I was expecting a soft cover instructional manual again. But this book is beautiful with it's hard cover, dust jacket and plenty of colourful photographs. Sure, some things might be obvious, however with everything to think about before Christmas this is the perfect book to remind me what to do, when to do it and how to do it best. It has made me feel very Christmassy indeed and I'm sure I will use this book time and time again in the run up to Chrsitmas. Nigella's book is great for food, this book is great for planning and being organised, I'm pleased I bought it.

The Perfect Christmas for Some?, 05 Oct 2008
The look of this book and the premise behind (and the other reviews!) convinced me to buy it. And I am (frankly) a little disappointed. If this was the first Christmas that you were putting together then I can see the appeal, but I can't say that it's really inspired me. Many of the suggestions are, quite honestly, a little obvious. Maybe that is what this book is about, and I've missed the point - I wanted pages of gorgeousness sprinkled with lots of ideas for Christmas. Anthea has included numerous projects, very few of which inspire me (putting your old glittery brooches on the Christmas tree when you've run out of decorations). Her recipes aren't up to patch of someone like Nigella Lawson (and neither would I expect them to be), and the decorating/crafting/wrapping ideas are pretty simplistic with results that fail to hit the mark for me. It doesn't make me feel Christmassy at all. Maybe if the book was entitled 'First Christmas' rather than 'Perfect Christmas' I'd be more impressed. However, perfect is something different to everyone! I'd recommend you buy Nigella's Christmas and the Christmas Book by Sheherazade Goldsmith instead - or wait for Sarah Raven's Christmas Book due out at the end of this month which looks utterly gorgeous (an interior shot can be seen on her website).


An ideal gift, 02 Oct 2008
I ordered this as a gift for someone but liked it so much I kept it! It's a real gem. The book covers all kinds of things from wrapping awkward shaped gifts to party games and what to do if you overcook the turkey. It's well illustrated and has some fresh ideas for decoration. Whether you are well organised at Christmas or a complete disaster this book make a nice gift.

Perfect!, 04 Sep 2008
Fantastic book. Full of great tips, receipes & ideas. This book is perfect for someone who is attempting christmas for the first time or for someone who has done it many times.
I love it - Worth every penny

A Book for the Modern Girl, 21 Oct 2008
As someone who didn't grow up with a housewife for a mum, I didn't know anything about organization or cleaning and I thought cooking meant jacket potatoes.
I really appreciate this book because it can be applied to anyone, even someone with absolutely no knowledge of how to keep house which is how I was. If you feel overwhelmed and you don't know where to even begin, then this book is for you. It is also for you if you have the house fairly under control, but just need some new ideas to inspire you. The book is divided into sections, which you can go through at your own pace. This enables you to take baby steps, and sort out your house around your own schedule.
Some people rubbish housework and think it is a menial job. But your surroundings do have a big impact on you, and if you can be organized at home, all other areas of your life will also improve.
I recommend the DVD series that this book accompanies also, they are very motivational and inspiring when you see the before and after's

A great Potters export-thumbs up for Anthea!, 11 Aug 2008
I often wish I had 36 hours rather than 24 in a day. The firt time I tuned into Antheas show I was expecting something like bootcamp however found it quite pleasant to watch.
I quickly ordered her 'manual' as soon as it become available and I must say I am very very impressed with the book.
I, like many busy people have a chest freezer which although seems to be full a full meal could never be cooked from its contents. Anthea has clear guidelines on what you can freeze and how to freeze it (e.g. you can freeze a cake-for simplicity just cut it beforehand). Since reading the kitchen chapter I have made some changes in my routine. My mum also makes shopping lists now and we often do our shopping at less busier times (to avoid queuing times).
Cleaning is now less of a chore-10 minutes spent in the bathroom cleaning the sink which you wait for the toilet cleaner to work its magic is nothing in the grand theme of things. It will save you time down the line (the less dirt, the easier it is to clean).
I'm even giving meal planning a shot!

A book I can recommend to any of the following:

men living alone (or in a big group)
students-male and female
anyone who has recently moved out of their parents home
newly weds moving in together (will save a lot of tears at cleaning time)
new mummies who have no time to do anything
work from home people who find it hard to find time to do daily chores
new stay at home mums/wives/husbands
...plus anyone else who is struggling to grasp the functions of their vacuum, duster and mop and bucket.

A great manual which will make a great housewarming present.

I have just purchased Antheas entertaining in style book and shall post a review soon.

Hail Queen Anthea!, 16 Jun 2008
My friends all laugh at me and say I have OCD cleaning issues, but Antheas book informed me that I am running a tidy household! Her tips are great, especially her spring cleaning list, which I am working through just now even though it is summer. The tips for cleaning out your wardrobes have inspired me to get a babysitter this week and devote a day to tackle my wardrobe problems. I found the book quite positive and inspirational in parts. I have read a lot of it previously in a 1950's book I found about home management and just wonder how much Anthea got from historical cleaning routines that have been written about. Nevertheless, this is a good book and tends itself well for the new housekeeper, it can be daunting if you are not quite as precise as Anthea and may leave you feeling you are 'not quite' meeting standards expected, but it gives you something to aim for, I loved Antheas TV series and bought the dvd to actually watch the tips in action, again, as another reviewer stated, it would have been nice to have some demonstration pics in the book. I have changed my opinion of Anthea, I did honestly think (sorry Anthea!) that she was a bit of a nobody, but my opinions have definately changed and I hope she does another series. I really do think that a lot more woman would like to devote more time to their households but the pace and way of life these days means woman are split in so many directions, I am just thankful my life allows me the freedom to work and also keep an orderly home.
4 stars Anthea!

Please don't buy this TV cash-in, 26 Dec 2007
Surely having a happy home is vastly more important than feeling inadequate because the never-seen-or-used upward facing sill of your doorframes are dusty. I agree very strongly with all the points made in the review by flingthecow in June 2007.

If you are thinking about buying this book, please consider that Anthea Turner makes her living from her public image and in this case by the humiliation of the "students" on this show. She is one of today's "celebrities" who appear on reality shows, sell photo rights of their wedding day to gossip magazines. I understand that the premise of the book and the tv series is that Anthea maintains the enormous mansion shown on TV to her exacting standards with no help, and that this "perfect housewife" image has been very helpful to Anthea in terms of combatting some of the less flattering media coverage. To me it seems somewhat implausible that she isn't employing someone, if only to allow her enough time for her media appearances etc. There has been a lot of public concern over other TV misrepresentaions of the truth recently and I wonder if the more subtle ones may be also be quite damaging.

Preachy rant over, I am very sorry to say that I am now about to buy a copy of this book and DVD for my sister-outlaw. Perhaps my bitterness is because she has rejected the present which we spent hours searching for and fixing up. So, faced with the prospect of moodiness at family get-togethers, and my partner getting to see his delightful nieces even less often than he already does, my ideological objections to this cheap TV cash-in have been banished in favour of express delivery.

sigh....


Inspiration & Motivation!, 01 Aug 2007
I find that books like this one (ie How Clean Is Your House, 10 Minute Housekeeping, Sink Reflections, etc.) as well as the related shows out there are motivators for me. I enjoy finding out new things about household management, organization, and cleaning just as I enjoy trying out new recipes. You may not use every single tip that's in the book but I'll bet you do find one or two things that you hadn't thought of or tried before! If in the long run it's going help me apply KISS (Keep It Supremely Simple) principles then I'm all for it.

While the book is catagorized very well, I find that I can pick it up and start reading anywhere. The book & show have inspired me and given me that theoretical "kick in the pants". Now I am definitely not going to win Homemaker of the Year but I can honestly say that Anthea & her book have given me food for thought and inspired me to want to do better. I will NEVER have a house as clean as hers but if I can use just a portion of the ideas and routines she presents, then maybe I won't have to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off when it comes time for the holidays, or company coming.

I don't think that a clean, well managed house and warm inviting home are mutually exclusive! It's just nice to know that if I WANT to use some special touches(like when mother-in-law visits) or need some practical information - I have a wonderful resource to guide me.

***** The only thing lacking is the same comment previous reviewers have had and that is I wish there were some detailed diagrams & photos to go along with some of the things she has demonstated on her show.

I am from the US and extremely envious that those of you in Region 2 are able to purchase and at least WATCH Anthea's DVD as well. I don't know if or when I'll see the show again on the BBCA channel.

Who do I need to talk to about getting some of your wonderful shows in the UK on DVDs that we can play here in the US??!!

Pleasantly surprised!, 14 Nov 2008
Having already had Anthea's 'How to be the Perefct Housewife' book, I was expecting a soft cover instructional manual again. But this book is beautiful with it's hard cover, dust jacket and plenty of colourful photographs. Sure, some things might be obvious, however with everything to think about before Christmas this is the perfect book to remind me what to do, when to do it and how to do it best. It has made me feel very Christmassy indeed and I'm sure I will use this book time and time again in the run up to Chrsitmas. Nigella's book is great for food, this book is great for planning and being organised, I'm pleased I bought it.

The Perfect Christmas for Some?, 05 Oct 2008
The look of this book and the premise behind (and the other reviews!) convinced me to buy it. And I am (frankly) a little disappointed. If this was the first Christmas that you were putting together then I can see the appeal, but I can't say that it's really inspired me. Many of the suggestions are, quite honestly, a little obvious. Maybe that is what this book is about, and I've missed the point - I wanted pages of gorgeousness sprinkled with lots of ideas for Christmas. Anthea has included numerous projects, very few of which inspire me (putting your old glittery brooches on the Christmas tree when you've run out of decorations). Her recipes aren't up to patch of someone like Nigella Lawson (and neither would I expect them to be), and the decorating/crafting/wrapping ideas are pretty simplistic with results that fail to hit the mark for me. It doesn't make me feel Christmassy at all. Maybe if the book was entitled 'First Christmas' rather than 'Perfect Christmas' I'd be more impressed. However, perfect is something different to everyone! I'd recommend you buy Nigella's Christmas and the Christmas Book by Sheherazade Goldsmith instead - or wait for Sarah Raven's Christmas Book due out at the end of this month which looks utterly gorgeous (an interior shot can be seen on her website).


An ideal gift, 02 Oct 2008
I ordered this as a gift for someone but liked it so much I kept it! It's a real gem. The book covers all kinds of things from wrapping awkward shaped gifts to party games and what to do if you overcook the turkey. It's well illustrated and has some fresh ideas for decoration. Whether you are well organised at Christmas or a complete disaster this book make a nice gift.

Perfect!, 04 Sep 2008
Fantastic book. Full of great tips, receipes & ideas. This book is perfect for someone who is attempting christmas for the first time or for someone who has done it many times.
I love it - Worth every penny

more of a reference book of stains, 29 Jul 2007
I did like this book but for me it's more of a dip in and out book and isn't as nearly as motivational as say Anthea turners perfect housewife I find this book good for getting stains out of things i.e carpets and furniture rather thanka "right lets get going" book!!!

Better than How Clean is Your House, 22 Jun 2007
This book is great, it goes through everything in such detail, it really is a complete guide, with tips that you would never think of, that come from years of experience of cleaning.....this book is an inspiration

these people know clean., 18 Apr 2007
if you know someone who is just about to leave home. buy them this book.
dissapointingly there is only about a 1/4 of it dedicated to cleaning. however it deals with everything!
getting insurance
dealing with emergencies
looking after visitors
choosing decor and flooring
dealing with pet mess
how cleaners actually work and what works with what stains
what tools you really need

an in depthe wonderfully detailed book, punctuated by short tales of kims experience of cleaning homes for a living.

too often we look down on cleaners as people who can do nothing else and housework as something awful. but this book shows that you should try to enjoy the process because of the rewards you will reap from it.

if you are living in a huge scary mess or tidying and then getting messy in a day you may need to sort that out first, although this book sort of deals with clutter and tries to set up a schedule i have found much better help through "sink reflections" by marla cilley but now my home is emptier and more organised the cleaning bible is taking over and i can now keep my tidy home sparkling.


also i love that kim and aggie don't advocate faddy cleaneres and there is a very basic list of what you need and it's all cheap, better for you and the environment and fits in a small cupboard.

but sorry aggie i can't see me ironing tea towels and dishclothes lol.

this is a wonderful book and a good read a great resource that i am sure i will turn to time and time again.

An absolute godsend, 26 Oct 2006
Before buying the Cleaning Bible, I always struggled with keeping things clean and tidy. To say this book has changed my life may seem a little overdramatic but it wouldn't be far from the truth. It is extremely user friendly the way it breaks things down into bitesize chunks of priceless guidance and advice. As a reference book it is second to none and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a helping hand around the house.

Great reference book for any home!, 19 Sep 2006
I haven't actually seen this series, just know that it has been seen in most UK homes (I live abroad) and was curious to know more about Kim and Aggie. The book is beautifully presented and perfect for dipping in to find the piece of advice you need. Explains tips, wrinkles and general housekeeping.
A great gift for a new home / wedding present. A perfect reference for any home. Impossible not to improve something around your home after reading this.

A Book for the Modern Girl, 21 Oct 2008
As someone who didn't grow up with a housewife for a mum, I didn't know anything about organization or cleaning and I thought cooking meant jacket potatoes.
I really appreciate this book because it can be applied to anyone, even someone with absolutely no knowledge of how to keep house which is how I was. If you feel overwhelmed and you don't know where to even begin, then this book is for you. It is also for you if you have the house fairly under control, but just need some new ideas to inspire you. The book is divided into sections, which you can go through at your own pace. This enables you to take baby steps, and sort out your house around your own schedule.
Some people rubbish housework and think it is a menial job. But your surroundings do have a big impact on you, and if you can be organized at home, all other areas of your life will also improve.
I recommend the DVD series that this book accompanies also, they are very motivational and inspiring when you see the before and after's

A great Potters export-thumbs up for Anthea!, 11 Aug 2008
I often wish I had 36 hours rather than 24 in a day. The firt time I tuned into Antheas show I was expecting something like bootcamp however found it quite pleasant to watch.
I quickly ordered her 'manual' as soon as it become available and I must say I am very very impressed with the book.
I, like many busy people have a chest freezer which although seems to be full a full meal could never be cooked from its contents. Anthea has clear guidelines on what you can freeze and how to freeze it (e.g. you can freeze a cake-for simplicity just cut it beforehand). Since reading the kitchen chapter I have made some changes in my routine. My mum also makes shopping lists now and we often do our shopping at less busier times (to avoid queuing times).
Cleaning is now less of a chore-10 minutes spent in the bathroom cleaning the sink which you wait for the toilet cleaner to work its magic is nothing in the grand theme of things. It will save you time down the line (the less dirt, the easier it is to clean).
I'm even giving meal planning a shot!

A book I can recommend to any of the following:

men living alone (or in a big group)
students-male and female
anyone who has recently moved out of their parents home
newly weds moving in together (will save a lot of tears at cleaning time)
new mummies who have no time to do anything
work from home people who find it hard to find time to do daily chores
new stay at home mums/wives/husbands
...plus anyone else who is struggling to grasp the functions of their vacuum, duster and mop and bucket.

A great manual which will make a great housewarming present.

I have just purchased Antheas entertaining in style book and shall post a review soon.

Hail Queen Anthea!, 16 Jun 2008
My friends all laugh at me and say I have OCD cleaning issues, but Antheas book informed me that I am running a tidy household! Her tips are great, especially her spring cleaning list, which I am working through just now even though it is summer. The tips for cleaning out your wardrobes have inspired me to get a babysitter this week and devote a day to tackle my wardrobe problems. I found the book quite positive and inspirational in parts. I have read a lot of it previously in a 1950's book I found about home management and just wonder how much Anthea got from historical cleaning routines that have been written about. Nevertheless, this is a good book and tends itself well for the new housekeeper, it can be daunting if you are not quite as precise as Anthea and may leave you feeling you are 'not quite' meeting standards expected, but it gives you something to aim for, I loved Antheas TV series and bought the dvd to actually watch the tips in action, again, as another reviewer stated, it would have been nice to have some demonstration pics in the book. I have changed my opinion of Anthea, I did honestly think (sorry Anthea!) that she was a bit of a nobody, but my opinions have definately changed and I hope she does another series. I really do think that a lot more woman would like to devote more time to their households but the pace and way of life these days means woman are split in so many directions, I am just thankful my life allows me the freedom to work and also keep an orderly home.
4 stars Anthea!

Please don't buy this TV cash-in, 26 Dec 2007
Surely having a happy home is vastly more important than feeling inadequate because the never-seen-or-used upward facing sill of your doorframes are dusty. I agree very strongly with all the points made in the review by flingthecow in June 2007.

If you are thinking about buying this book, please consider that Anthea Turner makes her living from her public image and in this case by the humiliation of the "students" on this show. She is one of today's "celebrities" who appear on reality shows, sell photo rights of their wedding day to gossip magazines. I understand that the premise of the book and the tv series is that Anthea maintains the enormous mansion shown on TV to her exacting standards with no help, and that this "perfect housewife" image has been very helpful to Anthea in terms of combatting some of the less flattering media coverage. To me it seems somewhat implausible that she isn't employing someone, if only to allow her enough time for her media appearances etc. There has been a lot of public concern over other TV misrepresentaions of the truth recently and I wonder if the more subtle ones may be also be quite damaging.

Preachy rant over, I am very sorry to say that I am now about to buy a copy of this book and DVD for my sister-outlaw. Perhaps my bitterness is because she has rejected the present which we spent hours searching for and fixing up. So, faced with the prospect of moodiness at family get-togethers, and my partner getting to see his delightful nieces even less often than he already does, my ideological objections to this cheap TV cash-in have been banished in favour of express delivery.

sigh....


Inspiration & Motivation!, 01 Aug 2007
I find that books like this one (ie How Clean Is Your House, 10 Minute Housekeeping, Sink Reflections, etc.) as well as the related shows out there are motivators for me. I enjoy finding out new things about household management, organization, and cleaning just as I enjoy trying out new recipes. You may not use every single tip that's in the book but I'll bet you do find one or two things that you hadn't thought of or tried before! If in the long run it's going help me apply KISS (Keep It Supremely Simple) principles then I'm all for it.

While the book is catagorized very well, I find that I can pick it up and start reading anywhere. The book & show have inspired me and given me that theoretical "kick in the pants". Now I am definitely not going to win Homemaker of the Year but I can honestly say that Anthea & her book have given me food for thought and inspired me to want to do better. I will NEVER have a house as clean as hers but if I can use just a portion of the ideas and routines she presents, then maybe I won't have to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off when it comes time for the holidays, or company coming.

I don't think that a clean, well managed house and warm inviting home are mutually exclusive! It's just nice to know that if I WANT to use some special touches(like when mother-in-law visits) or need some practical information - I have a wonderful resource to guide me.

***** The only thing lacking is the same comment previous reviewers have had and that is I wish there were some detailed diagrams & photos to go along with some of the things she has demonstated on her show.

I am from the US and extremely envious that those of you in Region 2 are able to purchase and at least WATCH Anthea's DVD as well. I don't know if or when I'll see the show again on the BBCA channel.

Who do I need to talk to about getting some of your wonderful shows in the UK on DVDs that we can play here in the US??!!

Pleasantly surprised!, 14 Nov 2008
Having already had Anthea's 'How to be the Perefct Housewife' book, I was expecting a soft cover instructional manual again. But this book is beautiful with it's hard cover, dust jacket and plenty of colourful photographs. Sure, some things might be obvious, however with everything to think about before Christmas this is the perfect book to remind me what to do, when to do it and how to do it best. It has made me feel very Christmassy indeed and I'm sure I will use this book time and time again in the run up to Chrsitmas. Nigella's book is great for food, this book is great for planning and being organised, I'm pleased I bought it.

The Perfect Christmas for Some?, 05 Oct 2008
The look of this book and the premise behind (and the other reviews!) convinced me to buy it. And I am (frankly) a little disappointed. If this was the first Christmas that you were putting together then I can see the appeal, but I can't say that it's really inspired me. Many of the suggestions are, quite honestly, a little obvious. Maybe that is what this book is about, and I've missed the point - I wanted pages of gorgeousness sprinkled with lots of ideas for Christmas. Anthea has included numerous projects, very few of which inspire me (putting your old glittery brooches on the Christmas tree when you've run out of decorations). Her recipes aren't up to patch of someone like Nigella Lawson (and neither would I expect them to be), and the decorating/crafting/wrapping ideas are pretty simplistic with results that fail to hit the mark for me. It doesn't make me feel Christmassy at all. Maybe if the book was entitled 'First Christmas' rather than 'Perfect Christmas' I'd be more impressed. However, perfect is something different to everyone! I'd recommend you buy Nigella's Christmas and the Christmas Book by Sheherazade Goldsmith instead - or wait for Sarah Raven's Christmas Book due out at the end of this month which looks utterly gorgeous (an interior shot can be seen on her website).


An ideal gift, 02 Oct 2008
I ordered this as a gift for someone but liked it so much I kept it! It's a real gem. The book covers all kinds of things from wrapping awkward shaped gifts to party games and what to do if you overcook the turkey. It's well illustrated and has some fresh ideas for decoration. Whether you are well organised at Christmas or a complete disaster this book make a nice gift.

Perfect!, 04 Sep 2008
Fantastic book. Full of great tips, receipes & ideas. This book is perfect for someone who is attempting christmas for the first time or for someone who has done it many times.
I love it - Worth every penny

more of a reference book of stains, 29 Jul 2007
I did like this book but for me it's more of a dip in and out book and isn't as nearly as motivational as say Anthea turners perfect housewife I find this book good for getting stains out of things i.e carpets and furniture rather thanka "right lets get going" book!!!

Better than How Clean is Your House, 22 Jun 2007
This book is great, it goes through everything in such detail, it really is a complete guide, with tips that you would never think of, that come from years of experience of cleaning.....this book is an inspiration

these people know clean., 18 Apr 2007
if you know someone who is just about to leave home. buy them this book.
dissapointingly there is only about a 1/4 of it dedicated to cleaning. however it deals with everything!
getting insurance
dealing with emergencies
looking after visitors
choosing decor and flooring
dealing with pet mess
how cleaners actually work and what works with what stains
what tools you really need

an in depthe wonderfully detailed book, punctuated by short tales of kims experience of cleaning homes for a living.

too often we look down on cleaners as people who can do nothing else and housework as something awful. but this book shows that you should try to enjoy the process because of the rewards you will reap from it.

if you are living in a huge scary mess or tidying and then getting messy in a day you may need to sort that out first, although this book sort of deals with clutter and tries to set up a schedule i have found much better help through "sink reflections" by marla cilley but now my home is emptier and more organised the cleaning bible is taking over and i can now keep my tidy home sparkling.


also i love that kim and aggie don't advocate faddy cleaneres and there is a very basic list of what you need and it's all cheap, better for you and the environment and fits in a small cupboard.

but sorry aggie i can't see me ironing tea towels and dishclothes lol.

this is a wonderful book and a good read a great resource that i am sure i will turn to time and time again.

An absolute godsend, 26 Oct 2006
Before buying the Cleaning Bible, I always struggled with keeping things clean and tidy. To say this book has changed my life may seem a little overdramatic but it wouldn't be far from the truth. It is extremely user friendly the way it breaks things down into bitesize chunks of priceless guidance and advice. As a reference book it is second to none and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a helping hand around the house.

Great reference book for any home!, 19 Sep 2006
I haven't actually seen this series, just know that it has been seen in most UK homes (I live abroad) and was curious to know more about Kim and Aggie. The book is beautifully presented and perfect for dipping in to find the piece of advice you need. Explains tips, wrinkles and general housekeeping.
A great gift for a new home / wedding present. A perfect reference for any home. Impossible not to improve something around your home after reading this.

Brilliant Every Day Food, 18 Feb 2008
This book says everything in it's title ""Every Day" .. If you're looking for good, honest, tasty family food that can be eaten at any time of year with easy to follow recipes that don't take too long to prepare, or cook, then this is the book for you. We can't rate it - or another of Bill's books, Simply Bill - highly enough. In fact, we've just bought two more, and after a hard day at work we're just about to cook his "Fragrant Chicken and Spinach Curry". Delicious!!

Good Day, 30 Jan 2008
Great book and intresting receipes, purchased the book after watch most recent series on television and after reading other feedback. must by

I love Bill, but this isn't his best, 13 Jan 2008
Bill Granger's recipes are very simple to follow and often produce divine results. He has a knack for combining fresh flavours for stunning results. My favourite of his recipe books is "Sydney Food" - so often I buy recipe books and only ever cook a handful of the recipes (if that!) but I've probably made and enjoyed about a third of that book. Unfortunately "Everyday" has not become a staple for me.

For starters, the concept seems forced. Most of Bill's other books are broken into dayparts - breakfast ideas, morning tea, lunch etc. "Everyday" is divided by day of the week. This probably seemed like a great idea when it was first proposed. For example, "Sunday" includes big breakfasts, sunday roasts and soup suppers. Monday kicks off with energizing breakfasts and friends come for dinner on Thursdays. However all too quickly it becomes a matter of "where can we put glam salads?" and "easy weekday dinners?". If you're looking for ideas for dinner, they can be anywhere. Thankfully the index is well laid out, because that's what I end up browsing through for ideas.

The recipes that we have cooked have been fine - delicious even - but they feel like variations on recipes that I have seen from Bill before. There are a few standouts that we've loved and will cook again: the fragrant chicken and spinach curry is great, stir fried chicken with peanuts and cucumber was also good and the flavours in the haloumi open sandwich are superb. But others disappointed: his caramel salmon recipe is okay but nowhere near as divinely delicious as the one written by Jill Dupleix in "Simple Food". Berry hotcakes are okay, but a poor second to the ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter from "Sydney Food".

What I do really like about this book is the suggestions that Bill makes for entertaining, grouping several recipes together under a theme, such as a summer dinner party or a chinese dinner party.

One comment: Bill's children are far more adventurous eaters than mine - and probably than the average child. There was little in the kids' meals section that worked for my family, only the baked tomato and mozzarella pasta (which was fine, but very bland and expensive to make, for what it is).



Easy to do and easy to eat!, 29 Nov 2007
As always with a cookery book I've marked out all the receipes I might make and I can say for the first time ever I've cooked more than half of them. Bill uses such simple ingredients and easy methods its fun to cook the receipes. For someone who doesn't eat fish there are actually some really nice receipes and I'm learning to enjoy foods I wouldn't normally try.
The breakfast bars are the best for a morning treat.


Excellent every day food!, 15 Jul 2007
This book is excellent for providing foods which go together well, which your average person may have in the cupboard and can get together quickly and speedily after a long day at work, even if you have young children, and for those that don't!! They say that the average person only cooks 2 recipes out of each cook book they buy, i've had this for about 2 weeks and already done that!! - and there's plenty more to go at! Refreshing recipes that are not for the cookery snob, but for your every day person. Fantastic!!

A Book for the Modern Girl, 21 Oct 2008
As someone who didn't grow up with a housewife for a mum, I didn't know anything about organization or cleaning and I thought cooking meant jacket potatoes.
I really appreciate this book because it can be applied to anyone, even someone with absolutely no knowledge of how to keep house which is how I was. If you feel overwhelmed and you don't know where to even begin, then this book is for you. It is also for you if you have the house fairly under control, but just need some new ideas to inspire you. The book is divided into sections, which you can go through at your own pace. This enables you to take baby steps, and sort out your house around your own schedule.
Some people rubbish housework and think it is a menial job. But your surroundings do have a big impact on you, and if you can be organized at home, all other areas of your life will also improve.
I recommend the DVD series that this book accompanies also, they are very motivational and inspiring when you see the before and after's

A great Potters export-thumbs up for Anthea!, 11 Aug 2008
I often wish I had 36 hours rather than 24 in a day. The firt time I tuned into Antheas show I was expecting something like bootcamp however found it quite pleasant to watch.
I quickly ordered her 'manual' as soon as it become available and I must say I am very very impressed with the book.
I, like many busy people have a chest freezer which although seems to be full a full meal could never be cooked from its contents. Anthea has clear guidelines on what you can freeze and how to freeze it (e.g. you can freeze a cake-for simplicity just cut it beforehand). Since reading the kitchen chapter I have made some changes in my routine. My mum also makes shopping lists now and we often do our shopping at less busier times (to avoid queuing times).
Cleaning is now less of a chore-10 minutes spent in the bathroom cleaning the sink which you wait for the toilet cleaner to work its magic is nothing in the grand theme of things. It will save you time down the line (the less dirt, the easier it is to clean).
I'm even giving meal planning a shot!

A book I can recommend to any of the following:

men living alone (or in a big group)
students-male and female
anyone who has recently moved out of their parents home
newly weds moving in together (will save a lot of tears at cleaning time)
new mummies who have no time to do anything
work from home people who find it hard to find time to do daily chores
new stay at home mums/wives/husbands
...plus anyone else who is struggling to grasp the functions of their vacuum, duster and mop and bucket.

A great manual which will make a great housewarming present.

I have just purchased Antheas entertaining in style book and shall post a review soon.

Hail Queen Anthea!, 16 Jun 2008
My friends all laugh at me and say I have OCD cleaning issues, but Antheas book informed me that I am running a tidy household! Her tips are great, especially her spring cleaning list, which I am working through just now even though it is summer. The tips for cleaning out your wardrobes have inspired me to get a babysitter this week and devote a day to tackle my wardrobe problems. I found the book quite positive and inspirational in parts. I have read a lot of it previously in a 1950's book I found about home management and just wonder how much Anthea got from historical cleaning routines that have been written about. Nevertheless, this is a good book and tends itself well for the new housekeeper, it can be daunting if you are not quite as precise as Anthea and may leave you feeling you are 'not quite' meeting standards expected, but it gives you something to aim for, I loved Antheas TV series and bought the dvd to actually watch the tips in action, again, as another reviewer stated, it would have been nice to have some demonstration pics in the book. I have changed my opinion of Anthea, I did honestly think (sorry Anthea!) that she was a bit of a nobody, but my opinions have definately changed and I hope she does another series. I really do think that a lot more woman would like to devote more time to their households but the pace and way of life these days means woman are split in so many directions, I am just thankful my life allows me the freedom to work and also keep an orderly home.
4 stars Anthea!

Please don't buy this TV cash-in, 26 Dec 2007
Surely having a happy home is vastly more important than feeling inadequate because the never-seen-or-used upward facing sill of your doorframes are dusty. I agree very strongly with all the points made in the review by flingthecow in June 2007.

If you are thinking about buying this book, please consider that Anthea Turner makes her living from her public image and in this case by the humiliation of the "students" on this show. She is one of today's "celebrities" who appear on reality shows, sell photo rights of their wedding day to gossip magazines. I understand that the premise of the book and the tv series is that Anthea maintains the enormous mansion shown on TV to her exacting standards with no help, and that this "perfect housewife" image has been very helpful to Anthea in terms of combatting some of the less flattering media coverage. To me it seems somewhat implausible that she isn't employing someone, if only to allow her enough time for her media appearances etc. There has been a lot of public concern over other TV misrepresentaions of the truth recently and I wonder if the more subtle ones may be also be quite damaging.

Preachy rant over, I am very sorry to say that I am now about to buy a copy of this book and DVD for my sister-outlaw. Perhaps my bitterness is because she has rejected the present which we spent hours searching for and fixing up. So, faced with the prospect of moodiness at family get-togethers, and my partner getting to see his delightful nieces even less often than he already does, my ideological objections to this cheap TV cash-in have been banished in favour of express delivery.

sigh....


Inspiration & Motivation!, 01 Aug 2007
I find that books like this one (ie How Clean Is Your House, 10 Minute Housekeeping, Sink Reflections, etc.) as well as the related shows out there are motivators for me. I enjoy finding out new things about household management, organization, and cleaning just as I enjoy trying out new recipes. You may not use every single tip that's in the book but I'll bet you do find one or two things that you hadn't thought of or tried before! If in the long run it's going help me apply KISS (Keep It Supremely Simple) principles then I'm all for it.

While the book is catagorized very well, I find that I can pick it up and start reading anywhere. The book & show have inspired me and given me that theoretical "kick in the pants". Now I am definitely not going to win Homemaker of the Year but I can honestly say that Anthea & her book have given me food for thought and inspired me to want to do better. I will NEVER have a house as clean as hers but if I can use just a portion of the ideas and routines she presents, then maybe I won't have to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off when it comes time for the holidays, or company coming.

I don't think that a clean, well managed house and warm inviting home are mutually exclusive! It's just nice to know that if I WANT to use some special touches(like when mother-in-law visits) or need some practical information - I have a wonderful resource to guide me.

***** The only thing lacking is the same comment previous reviewers have had and that is I wish there were some detailed diagrams & photos to go along with some of the things she has demonstated on her show.

I am from the US and extremely envious that those of you in Region 2 are able to purchase and at least WATCH Anthea's DVD as well. I don't know if or when I'll see the show again on the BBCA channel.

Who do I need to talk to about getting some of your wonderful shows in the UK on DVDs that we can play here in the US??!!

Pleasantly surprised!, 14 Nov 2008
Having already had Anthea's 'How to be the Perefct Housewife' book, I was expecting a soft cover instructional manual again. But this book is beautiful with it's hard cover, dust jacket and plenty of colourful photographs. Sure, some things might be obvious, however with everything to think about before Christmas this is the perfect book to remind me what to do, when to do it and how to do it best. It has made me feel very Christmassy indeed and I'm sure I will use this book time and time again in the run up to Chrsitmas. Nigella's book is great for food, this book is great for planning and being organised, I'm pleased I bought it.

The Perfect Christmas for Some?, 05 Oct 2008
The look of this book and the premise behind (and the other reviews!) convinced me to buy it. And I am (frankly) a little disappointed. If this was the first Christmas that you were putting together then I can see the appeal, but I can't say that it's really inspired me. Many of the suggestions are, quite honestly, a little obvious. Maybe that is what this book is about, and I've missed the point - I wanted pages of gorgeousness sprinkled with lots of ideas for Christmas. Anthea has included numerous projects, very few of which inspire me (putting your old glittery brooches on the Christmas tree when you've run out of decorations). Her recipes aren't up to patch of someone like Nigella Lawson (and neither would I expect them to be), and the decorating/crafting/wrapping ideas are pretty simplistic with results that fail to hit the mark for me. It doesn't make me feel Christmassy at all. Maybe if the book was entitled 'First Christmas' rather than 'Perfect Christmas' I'd be more impressed. However, perfect is something different to everyone! I'd recommend you buy Nigella's Christmas and the Christmas Book by Sheherazade Goldsmith instead - or wait for Sarah Raven's Christmas Book due out at the end of this month which looks utterly gorgeous (an interior shot can be seen on her website).


An ideal gift, 02 Oct 2008
I ordered this as a gift for someone but liked it so much I kept it! It's a real gem. The book covers all kinds of things from wrapping awkward shaped gifts to party games and what to do if you overcook the turkey. It's well illustrated and has some fresh ideas for decoration. Whether you are well organised at Christmas or a complete disaster this book make a nice gift.

Perfect!, 04 Sep 2008
Fantastic book. Full of great tips, receipes & ideas. This book is perfect for someone who is attempting christmas for the first time or for someone who has done it many times.
I love it - Worth every penny

more of a reference book of stains, 29 Jul 2007
I did like this book but for me it's more of a dip in and out book and isn't as nearly as motivational as say Anthea turners perfect housewife I find this book good for getting stains out of things i.e carpets and furniture rather thanka "right lets get going" book!!!

Better than How Clean is Your House, 22 Jun 2007
This book is great, it goes through everything in such detail, it really is a complete guide, with tips that you would never think of, that come from years of experience of cleaning.....this book is an inspiration

these people know clean., 18 Apr 2007
if you know someone who is just about to leave home. buy them this book.
dissapointingly there is only about a 1/4 of it dedicated to cleaning. however it deals with everything!
getting insurance
dealing with emergencies
looking after visitors
choosing decor and flooring
dealing with pet mess
how cleaners actually work and what works with what stains
what tools you really need

an in depthe wonderfully detailed book, punctuated by short tales of kims experience of cleaning homes for a living.

too often we look down on cleaners as people who can do nothing else and housework as something awful. but this book shows that you should try to enjoy the process because of the rewards you will reap from it.

if you are living in a huge scary mess or tidying and then getting messy in a day you may need to sort that out first, although this book sort of deals with clutter and tries to set up a schedule i have found much better help through "sink reflections" by marla cilley but now my home is emptier and more organised the cleaning bible is taking over and i can now keep my tidy home sparkling.


also i love that kim and aggie don't advocate faddy cleaneres and there is a very basic list of what you need and it's all cheap, better for you and the environment and fits in a small cupboard.

but sorry aggie i can't see me ironing tea towels and dishclothes lol.

this is a wonderful book and a good read a great resource that i am sure i will turn to time and time again.

An absolute godsend, 26 Oct 2006
Before buying the Cleaning Bible, I always struggled with keeping things clean and tidy. To say this book has changed my life may seem a little overdramatic but it wouldn't be far from the truth. It is extremely user friendly the way it breaks things down into bitesize chunks of priceless guidance and advice. As a reference book it is second to none and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a helping hand around the house.

Great reference book for any home!, 19 Sep 2006
I haven't actually seen this series, just know that it has been seen in most UK homes (I live abroad) and was curious to know more about Kim and Aggie. The book is beautifully presented and perfect for dipping in to find the piece of advice you need. Explains tips, wrinkles and general housekeeping.
A great gift for a new home / wedding present. A perfect reference for any home. Impossible not to improve something around your home after reading this.

Brilliant Every Day Food, 18 Feb 2008
This book says everything in it's title ""Every Day" .. If you're looking for good, honest, tasty family food that can be eaten at any time of year with easy to follow recipes that don't take too long to prepare, or cook, then this is the book for you. We can't rate it - or another of Bill's books, Simply Bill - highly enough. In fact, we've just bought two more, and after a hard day at work we're just about to cook his "Fragrant Chicken and Spinach Curry". Delicious!!

Good Day, 30 Jan 2008
Great book and intresting receipes, purchased the book after watch most recent series on television and after reading other feedback. must by

I love Bill, but this isn't his best, 13 Jan 2008
Bill Granger's recipes are very simple to follow and often produce divine results. He has a knack for combining fresh flavours for stunning results. My favourite of his recipe books is "Sydney Food" - so often I buy recipe books and only ever cook a handful of the recipes (if that!) but I've probably made and enjoyed about a third of that book. Unfortunately "Everyday" has not become a staple for me.

For starters, the concept seems forced. Most of Bill's other books are broken into dayparts - breakfast ideas, morning tea, lunch etc. "Everyday" is divided by day of the week. This probably seemed like a great idea when it was first proposed. For example, "Sunday" includes big breakfasts, sunday roasts and soup suppers. Monday kicks off with energizing breakfasts and friends come for dinner on Thursdays. However all too quickly it becomes a matter of "where can we put glam salads?" and "easy weekday dinners?". If you're looking for ideas for dinner, they can be anywhere. Thankfully the index is well laid out, because that's what I end up browsing through for ideas.

The recipes that we have cooked have been fine - delicious even - but they feel like variations on recipes that I have seen from Bill before. There are a few standouts that we've loved and will cook again: the fragrant chicken and spinach curry is great, stir fried chicken with peanuts and cucumber was also good and the flavours in the haloumi open sandwich are superb. But others disappointed: his caramel salmon recipe is okay but nowhere near as divinely delicious as the one written by Jill Dupleix in "Simple Food". Berry hotcakes are okay, but a poor second to the ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter from "Sydney Food".

What I do really like about this book is the suggestions that Bill makes for entertaining, grouping several recipes together under a theme, such as a summer dinner party or a chinese dinner party.

One comment: Bill's children are far more adventurous eaters than mine - and probably than the average child. There was little in the kids' meals section that worked for my family, only the baked tomato and mozzarella pasta (which was fine, but very bland and expensive to make, for what it is).



Easy to do and easy to eat!, 29 Nov 2007
As always with a cookery book I've marked out all the receipes I might make and I can say for the first time ever I've cooked more than half of them. Bill uses such simple ingredients and easy methods its fun to cook the receipes. For someone who doesn't eat fish there are actually some really nice receipes and I'm learning to enjoy foods I wouldn't normally try.
The breakfast bars are the best for a morning treat.


Excellent every day food!, 15 Jul 2007
This book is excellent for providing foods which go together well, which your average person may have in the cupboard and can get together quickly and speedily after a long day at work, even if you have young children, and for those that don't!! They say that the average person only cooks 2 recipes out of each cook book they buy, i've had this for about 2 weeks and already done that!! - and there's plenty more to go at! Refreshing recipes that are not for the cookery snob, but for your every day person. Fantastic!!

wonderfull vinegar, 21 Sep 2008
Vinegar is amazing, and until I read this gem of a book I didn't realise just how amazing it is, true I knew about cleaning windows, deodorising the microwave etc. But the amount of different uses the humble vinegar has is mind boggling and they work ! especially in the garden. A gold star for Ms Briggs for an excellent "must" for every homebody. I highly recommend it.
Ros. Moore

Vinegar 1001 practical uses by Margaret Briggs , 19 Jun 2007
This is an essential book for all occasions, not only do you get a brief history of vinegar in general, but you find how it can be used in the laundry, in the garden; gets rid of slugs for example. In the home for decorating and renovation, for personal health, cleaning and odour control and of course in cooking.
This is easy and interesting reading, yet a reference book which I feel every home should have. A perfect present for male or female.

A Book for the Modern Girl, 21 Oct 2008
As someone who didn't grow up with a housewife for a mum, I didn't know anything about organization or cleaning and I thought cooking meant jacket potatoes.
I really appreciate this book because it can be applied to anyone, even someone with absolutely no knowledge of how to keep house which is how I was. If you feel overwhelmed and you don't know where to even begin, then this book is for you. It is also for you if you have the house fairly under control, but just need some new ideas to inspire you. The book is divided into sections, which you can go through at your own pace. This enables you to take baby steps, and sort out your house around your own schedule.
Some people rubbish housework and think it is a menial job. But your surroundings do have a big impact on you, and if you can be organized at home, all other areas of your life will also improve.
I recommend the DVD series that this book accompanies also, they are very motivational and inspiring when you see the before and after's

A great Potters export-thumbs up for Anthea!, 11 Aug 2008
I often wish I had 36 hours rather than 24 in a day. The firt time I tuned into Antheas show I was expecting something like bootcamp however found it quite pleasant to watch.
I quickly ordered her 'manual' as soon as it become available and I must say I am very very impressed with the book.
I, like many busy people have a chest freezer which although seems to be full a full meal could never be cooked from its contents. Anthea has clear guidelines on what you can freeze and how to freeze it (e.g. you can freeze a cake-for simplicity just cut it beforehand). Since reading the kitchen chapter I have made some changes in my routine. My mum also makes shopping lists now and we often do our shopping at less busier times (to avoid queuing times).
Cleaning is now less of a chore-10 minutes spent in the bathroom cleaning the sink which you wait for the toilet cleaner to work its magic is nothing in the grand theme of things. It will save you time down the line (the less dirt, the easier it is to clean).
I'm even giving meal planning a shot!

A book I can recommend to any of the following:

men living alone (or in a big group)
students-male and female
anyone who has recently moved out of their parents home
newly weds moving in together (will save a lot of tears at cleaning time)
new mummies who have no time to do anything
work from home people who find it hard to find time to do daily chores
new stay at home mums/wives/husbands
...plus anyone else who is struggling to grasp the functions of their vacuum, duster and mop and bucket.

A great manual which will make a great housewarming present.

I have just purchased Antheas entertaining in style book and shall post a review soon.

Hail Queen Anthea!, 16 Jun 2008
My friends all laugh at me and say I have OCD cleaning issues, but Antheas book informed me that I am running a tidy household! Her tips are great, especially her spring cleaning list, which I am working through just now even though it is summer. The tips for cleaning out your wardrobes have inspired me to get a babysitter this week and devote a day to tackle my wardrobe problems. I found the book quite positive and inspirational in parts. I have read a lot of it previously in a 1950's book I found about home management and just wonder how much Anthea got from historical cleaning routines that have been written about. Nevertheless, this is a good book and tends itself well for the new housekeeper, it can be daunting if you are not quite as precise as Anthea and may leave you feeling you are 'not quite' meeting standards expected, but it gives you something to aim for, I loved Antheas TV series and bought the dvd to actually watch the tips in action, again, as another reviewer stated, it would have been nice to have some demonstration pics in the book. I have changed my opinion of Anthea, I did honestly think (sorry Anthea!) that she was a bit of a nobody, but my opinions have definately changed and I hope she does another series. I really do think that a lot more woman would like to devote more time to their households but the pace and way of life these days means woman are split in so many directions, I am just thankful my life allows me the freedom to work and also keep an orderly home.
4 stars Anthea!

Please don't buy this TV cash-in, 26 Dec 2007
Surely having a happy home is vastly more important than feeling inadequate because the never-seen-or-used upward facing sill of your doorframes are dusty. I agree very strongly with all the points made in the review by flingthecow in June 2007.

If you are thinking about buying this book, please consider that Anthea Turner makes her living from her public image and in this case by the humiliation of the "students" on this show. She is one of today's "celebrities" who appear on reality shows, sell photo rights of their wedding day to gossip magazines. I understand that the premise of the book and the tv series is that Anthea maintains the enormous mansion shown on TV to her exacting standards with no help, and that this "perfect housewife" image has been very helpful to Anthea in terms of combatting some of the less flattering media coverage. To me it seems somewhat implausible that she isn't employing someone, if only to allow her enough time for her media appearances etc. There has been a lot of public concern over other TV misrepresentaions of the truth recently and I wonder if the more subtle ones may be also be quite damaging.

Preachy rant over, I am very sorry to say that I am now about to buy a copy of this book and DVD for my sister-outlaw. Perhaps my bitterness is because she has rejected the present which we spent hours searching for and fixing up. So, faced with the prospect of moodiness at family get-togethers, and my partner getting to see his delightful nieces even less often than he already does, my ideological objections to this cheap TV cash-in have been banished in favour of express delivery.

sigh....


Inspiration & Motivation!, 01 Aug 2007
I find that books like this one (ie How Clean Is Your House, 10 Minute Housekeeping, Sink Reflections, etc.) as well as the related shows out there are motivators for me. I enjoy finding out new things about household management, organization, and cleaning just as I enjoy trying out new recipes. You may not use every single tip that's in the book but I'll bet you do find one or two things that you hadn't thought of or tried before! If in the long run it's going help me apply KISS (Keep It Supremely Simple) principles then I'm all for it.

While the book is catagorized very well, I find that I can pick it up and start reading anywhere. The book & show have inspired me and given me that theoretical "kick in the pants". Now I am definitely not going to win Homemaker of the Year but I can honestly say that Anthea & her book have given me food for thought and inspired me to want to do better. I will NEVER have a house as clean as hers but if I can use just a portion of the ideas and routines she presents, then maybe I won't have to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off when it comes time for the holidays, or company coming.

I don't think that a clean, well managed house and warm inviting home are mutually exclusive! It's just nice to know that if I WANT to use some special touches(like when mother-in-law visits) or need some practical information - I have a wonderful resource to guide me.

***** The only thing lacking is the same comment previous reviewers have had and that is I wish there were some detailed diagrams & photos to go along with some of the things she has demonstated on her show.

I am from the US and extremely envious that those of you in Region 2 are able to purchase and at least WATCH Anthea's DVD as well. I don't know if or when I'll see the show again on the BBCA channel.

Who do I need to talk to about getting some of your wonderful shows in the UK on DVDs that we can play here in the US??!!

Pleasantly surprised!, 14 Nov 2008
Having already had Anthea's 'How to be the Perefct Housewife' book, I was expecting a soft cover instructional manual again. But this book is beautiful with it's hard cover, dust jacket and plenty of colourful photographs. Sure, some things might be obvious, however with everything to think about before Christmas this is the perfect book to remind me what to do, when to do it and how to do it best. It has made me feel very Christmassy indeed and I'm sure I will use this book time and time again in the run up to Chrsitmas. Nigella's book is great for food, this book is great for planning and being organised, I'm pleased I bought it.

The Perfect Christmas for Some?, 05 Oct 2008
The look of this book and the premise behind (and the other reviews!) convinced me to buy it. And I am (frankly) a little disappointed. If this was the first Christmas that you were putting together then I can see the appeal, but I can't say that it's really inspired me. Many of the suggestions are, quite honestly, a little obvious. Maybe that is what this book is about, and I've missed the point - I wanted pages of gorgeousness sprinkled with lots of ideas for Christmas. Anthea has included numerous projects, very few of which inspire me (putting your old glittery brooches on the Christmas tree when you've run out of decorations). Her recipes aren't up to patch of someone like Nigella Lawson (and neither would I expect them to be), and the decorating/crafting/wrapping ideas are pretty simplistic with results that fail to hit the mark for me. It doesn't make me feel Christmassy at all. Maybe if the book was entitled 'First Christmas' rather than 'Perfect Christmas' I'd be more impressed. However, perfect is something different to everyone! I'd recommend you buy Nigella's Christmas and the Christmas Book by Sheherazade Goldsmith instead - or wait for Sarah Raven's Christmas Book due out at the end of this month which looks utterly gorgeous (an interior shot can be seen on her website).


An ideal gift, 02 Oct 2008
I ordered this as a gift for someone but liked it so much I kept it! It's a real gem. The book covers all kinds of things from wrapping awkward shaped gifts to party games and what to do if you overcook the turkey. It's well illustrated and has some fresh ideas for decoration. Whether you are well organised at Christmas or a complete disaster this book make a nice gift.

Perfect!, 04 Sep 2008
Fantastic book. Full of great tips, receipes & ideas. This book is perfect for someone who is attempting christmas for the first time or for someone who has done it many times.
I love it - Worth every penny

more of a reference book of stains, 29 Jul 2007
I did like this book but for me it's more of a dip in and out book and isn't as nearly as motivational as say Anthea turners perfect housewife I find this book good for getting stains out of things i.e carpets and furniture rather thanka "right lets get going" book!!!

Better than How Clean is Your House, 22 Jun 2007
This book is great, it goes through everything in such detail, it really is a complete guide, with tips that you would never think of, that come from years of experience of cleaning.....this book is an inspiration

these people know clean., 18 Apr 2007
if you know someone who is just about to leave home. buy them this book.
dissapointingly there is only about a 1/4 of it dedicated to cleaning. however it deals with everything!
getting insurance
dealing with emergencies
looking after visitors
choosing decor and flooring
dealing with pet mess
how cleaners actually work and what works with what stains
what tools you really need

an in depthe wonderfully detailed book, punctuated by short tales of kims experience of cleaning homes for a living.

too often we look down on cleaners as people who can do nothing else and housework as something awful. but this book shows that you should try to enjoy the process because of the rewards you will reap from it.

if you are living in a huge scary mess or tidying and then getting messy in a day you may need to sort that out first, although this book sort of deals with clutter and tries to set up a schedule i have found much better help through "sink reflections" by marla cilley but now my home is emptier and more organised the cleaning bible is taking over and i can now keep my tidy home sparkling.


also i love that kim and aggie don't advocate faddy cleaneres and there is a very basic list of what you need and it's all cheap, better for you and the environment and fits in a small cupboard.

but sorry aggie i can't see me ironing tea towels and dishclothes lol.

this is a wonderful book and a good read a great resource that i am sure i will turn to time and time again.

An absolute godsend, 26 Oct 2006
Before buying the Cleaning Bible, I always struggled with keeping things clean and tidy. To say this book has changed my life may seem a little overdramatic but it wouldn't be far from the truth. It is extremely user friendly the way it breaks things down into bitesize chunks of priceless guidance and advice. As a reference book it is second to none and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a helping hand around the house.

Great reference book for any home!, 19 Sep 2006
I haven't actually seen this series, just know that it has been seen in most UK homes (I live abroad) and was curious to know more about Kim and Aggie. The book is beautifully presented and perfect for dipping in to find the piece of advice you need. Explains tips, wrinkles and general housekeeping.
A great gift for a new home / wedding present. A perfect reference for any home. Impossible not to improve something around your home after reading this.

Brilliant Every Day Food, 18 Feb 2008
This book says everything in it's title ""Every Day" .. If you're looking for good, honest, tasty family food that can be eaten at any time of year with easy to follow recipes that don't take too long to prepare, or cook, then this is the book for you. We can't rate it - or another of Bill's books, Simply Bill - highly enough. In fact, we've just bought two more, and after a hard day at work we're just about to cook his "Fragrant Chicken and Spinach Curry". Delicious!!

Good Day, 30 Jan 2008
Great book and intresting receipes, purchased the book after watch most recent series on television and after reading other feedback. must by

I love Bill, but this isn't his best, 13 Jan 2008
Bill Granger's recipes are very simple to follow and often produce divine results. He has a knack for combining fresh flavours for stunning results. My favourite of his recipe books is "Sydney Food" - so often I buy recipe books and only ever cook a handful of the recipes (if that!) but I've probably made and enjoyed about a third of that book. Unfortunately "Everyday" has not become a staple for me.

For starters, the concept seems forced. Most of Bill's other books are broken into dayparts - breakfast ideas, morning tea, lunch etc. "Everyday" is divided by day of the week. This probably seemed like a great idea when it was first proposed. For example, "Sunday" includes big breakfasts, sunday roasts and soup suppers. Monday kicks off with energizing breakfasts and friends come for dinner on Thursdays. However all too quickly it becomes a matter of "where can we put glam salads?" and "easy weekday dinners?". If you're looking for ideas for dinner, they can be anywhere. Thankfully the index is well laid out, because that's what I end up browsing through for ideas.

The recipes that we have cooked have been fine - delicious even - but they feel like variations on recipes that I have seen from Bill before. There are a few standouts that we've loved and will cook again: the fragrant chicken and spinach curry is great, stir fried chicken with peanuts and cucumber was also good and the flavours in the haloumi open sandwich are superb. But others disappointed: his caramel salmon recipe is okay but nowhere near as divinely delicious as the one written by Jill Dupleix in "Simple Food". Berry hotcakes are okay, but a poor second to the ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter from "Sydney Food".

What I do really like about this book is the suggestions that Bill makes for entertaining, grouping several recipes together under a theme, such as a summer dinner party or a chinese dinner party.

One comment: Bill's children are far more adventurous eaters than mine - and probably than the average child. There was little in the kids' meals section that worked for my family, only the baked tomato and mozzarella pasta (which was fine, but very bland and expensive to make, for what it is).



Easy to do and easy to eat!, 29 Nov 2007
As always with a cookery book I've marked out all the receipes I might make and I can say for the first time ever I've cooked more than half of them. Bill uses such simple ingredients and easy methods its fun to cook the receipes. For someone who doesn't eat fish there are actually some really nice receipes and I'm learning to enjoy foods I wouldn't normally try.
The breakfast bars are the best for a morning treat.


Excellent every day food!, 15 Jul 2007
This book is excellent for providing foods which go together well, which your average person may have in the cupboard and can get together quickly and speedily after a long day at work, even if you have young children, and for those that don't!! They say that the average person only cooks 2 recipes out of each cook book they buy, i've had this for about 2 weeks and already done that!! - and there's plenty more to go at! Refreshing recipes that are not for the cookery snob, but for your every day person. Fantastic!!

wonderfull vinegar, 21 Sep 2008
Vinegar is amazing, and until I read this gem of a book I didn't realise just how amazing it is, true I knew about cleaning windows, deodorising the microwave etc. But the amount of different uses the humble vinegar has is mind boggling and they work ! especially in the garden. A gold star for Ms Briggs for an excellent "must" for every homebody. I highly recommend it.
Ros. Moore

Vinegar 1001 practical uses by Margaret Briggs , 19 Jun 2007
This is an essential book for all occasions, not only do you get a brief history of vinegar in general, but you find how it can be used in the laundry, in the garden; gets rid of slugs for example. In the home for decorating and renovation, for personal health, cleaning and odour control and of course in cooking.
This is easy and interesting reading, yet a reference book which I feel every home should have. A perfect present for male or female.

A good overview of 1000 tasks, 20 Feb 2006
Now, if you expect a book that devotes a third of a page to a whole page to one item will make you anywhere near an expert then do not buy it. However, if you except that what is given will set you well on the right track, this is the book for you.
It does have, for example, a handy section on avoiding procrastination, a checklist for jobhunters, and how to propose a toast. Other examples: four steps to mixing a frozen margarita, how to write a Shakespearean sonnet, how to whistle, and make a great first impression on a date (not the last two are together but you never know, whistling the opposite sex's favourite tune over a meal may clinch that second date!)
Even if some of the thousand things listed are not what you want to do, it may be of interest to read about them.
Treat this book as more of an entertainment than a complete instruction book.

You cannot be serious, 15 Mar 2004
Maybe this book was written with the uneducated teenager in mind but most of its brief advice is of the common sense variety. Some of it might be quite useful if you know nothing about nothing and need a starting point but I mean, come on! Here's a sample of silly subjects. How to run with your dog. How to lubricate your door hinge. And some sample advice; How to conceal hairloss: Wear a hat. How to start a collection: First decide what you want to collect. Some of the advice covers huge subjects such as "How to be happy" in half a page. I will agree with other reviews, it is addictive. you'll find yourself dipping in again and again out of sheer disbelief. 2 stars for comedy value.

how to do just about everything, 14 Jan 2004
This book draws you in- so ensure you have at least half an hour to spare before you open it.

It has all the information that your parents forgot to give you when you left home for the first time. Like how to decline a date gracefully, or make the money you've always dreamed of having. The succinct advice is arranged into seperate chapters dealing with topics such as university, family and love, as well as more practical topics such as mending a bike and basic cooking. Be warned, this book is very addictive, as the short entries on each topic are perfect for dipping into.

Whoever said "This life must be a trial run or we'd be given better instructions", will be delighted to discover this book.

An extremely interesting book that everyone should have., 22 Jan 2001
This is quite an original book, with few others to compare with. Nonetheless it is very interesting and useful, with instructions on how to do most things in everyday life. Examples are how to unblock a sink, how to juggle, tie up a tie, ask for a pay rise, write a love letter,.... the list goes on. It includes the more usual things as mentioned, and also some more uncommon activites like how to Tango, choose a baby name, or how to build a shed. Although it is compiled from webpages around the world, meaning much of the information is free anyway, it is presented in an attractive hardback binding with colour pictures and diagrams, and organised neatly. The fact that the information can be found on the Internet for free, albeit not as well organised and presented, deprives this of the full 5-stars. Every home and office should have a copy. It can be used by anyone of any age, and even if you are not going to use it for productivity, it is an entertaining, interesting, even amusing read, useful for expanding your general knowledge!

A Book for the Modern Girl, 21 Oct 2008
As someone who didn't grow up with a housewife for a mum, I didn't know anything about organization or cleaning and I thought cooking meant jacket potatoes.
I really appreciate this book because it can be applied to anyone, even someone with absolutely no knowledge of how to keep house which is how I was. If you feel overwhelmed and you don't know where to even begin, then this book is for you. It is also for you if you have the house fairly under control, but just need some new ideas to inspire you. The book is divided into sections, which you can go through at your own pace. This enables you to take baby steps, and sort out your house around your own schedule.
Some people rubbish housework and think it is a menial job. But your surroundings do have a big impact on you, and if you can be organized at home, all other areas of your life will also improve.
I recommend the DVD series that this book accompanies also, they are very motivational and inspiring when you see the before and after's

A great Potters export-thumbs up for Anthea!, 11 Aug 2008
I often wish I had 36 hours rather than 24 in a day. The firt time I tuned into Antheas show I was expecting