'Class with the Countess: How to Live with Elegance and Flair' Book Review

She is no longer a Countess but still uses the title. LuAnn de Lesseps of The Real Housewives of New York wrote this book in her own attempt to be a protocol queen but it’s a difficult read. Having manners is something that the Countess does not display much of when she insults fellow cast mates on the show. Maybe she thinks it’s tough love but I doubt she will win any Miss Manners Awards anytime soon. The Countess was one by marriage but she is divorced so she really isn’t one anymore. But in her reality the rules don’t apply.

On her show, de Lesseps shares how she always felt she belonged in the jet set club even though she comes from humble beginnings. Such is her confidence or something else. Being born into privilege and breeding is something that one never needs to flaunt. Take Jackie Kennedy or her daughter, Caroline. Neither of these women needed to announce their fine breeding. Their actions spoke for them. They also valued privacy which de Lesseps doesn’t.

Class with the Countess does have interesting tips and perhaps her life among European aristocrats did rub off on her. The truth is, there is nothing new here and people are better off reading old Emily Post books. Class is timeless. Reality TV stardom is limited. Maybe she should just try to sing instead.