Dimensions
165 x 235 x 10mm
Not quite part of the family and definitely an employee; idealised or demonised, the nanny has had a difficult role in family life over the past 200 years. Any discussion of nannies arouses strong emotions in those who have employed them and a sometimes shocking range of experiences for the nannies themselves.
One of our most famous prime ministers rarely saw his mother and was brought up by his nanny, keeping her portrait by his beside till he died. This book weaves personal stories into the fascinating cultural history of the iconic British nanny.
Katherine Holden goes beyond the myths to discover where our tradition of nannies came from and to explore the ways in which it has changed (or not) over the past century. From the Norland Nannies 'method' and Mary Poppins' firm but fair approach to the terrifying breach of trust in Bette Davis' The Nanny and the more recent The Hand that Rocks the Cradle to modern-day child-tamer 'Supernanny', our culture has alternately welcomed and rejected this approach to child-care.
