A Taste for Comfort and Status

A Taste for Comfort and Status is a detailed historical study focused on the Lamothes, a well-respected family living in eighteenth-century Bordeaux. Author Christine Adams examines the development of middle-class identity among urban professionals during this era. Through the lens of this specific family, the book explores how professional activities, cultural interests, and kinship networks shaped the social landscape of 18th century France.

This work of modern history utilizes over three hundred personal letters to provide a rare glimpse into provincial middle-class life. By analyzing these documents, Adams argues for the existence of a distinct bourgeoisie class prior to the French Revolution. The text highlights the strategic use of family resources to maintain social status and material stability, contributing to the broader academic debate regarding revolutionary social structures and class consciousness.