IIMB Publications

Butlers traditionally have been conscientious about creating manuals specific to their household, called the (Butler’s) Pantry Book. However, except for a manual written a couple of hundred years ago, and another excellent book, Agar’s Way, which is out of print and focuses on the old-style butler skills, no text has existed on the subject of how to butle, whether in private households or hotels, etc.

Professor Steven Ferry began to fill this void with the British Butlers’ Bible a quarter of a century ago, and followed that up a dozen years ago with the international best seller, Butlers and Household Managers, 21st Century Professionals, which was subsequently translated into Italian, Spanish, and Russian; as well as Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators.

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These books are still available in hard copy through the links provided below.

We are happy to announce now the just-published, two-volume, Serving the Wealthy, The Modern Butler’s and Household/Estate(s) Manager’s Companion. With over 700 pages of text, 125 photographs, and a glossary of hundreds of words to smooth the journey, these two books establish a firm foundation upon which the profession can maintain its standards, and to which individuals can refer as they serve their employers.

To purchase a hard copy, click on the link for each book below. We apologize in advance for the high prices—this many color pages and photographs carry inescapable printing costs—but we felt that those in our profession would appreciate the opportunity to possess a substantial set of books.

Serving the Wealthy: The Modern Butler’s & Household/Estate(s) Manager’s Companion, Volume I
Serving the Wealthy: The Modern Butler’s & Household/Estate(s) Manager’s Companion, Volume II

“I recently graduated, with distinction, from The International Butler Academy in the Netherlands: What a help your books were, what a source they are.” JGA

Digital/Kindle Version (e-book)

Digital versions of Serving the Wealthy Volumes I and II are available now from Amazon KINDLE. Please follow these links if you prefer to buy a Kindle version:

Serving the Wealthy: The Modern Butler’s & Household/Estate(s) Manager’s Companion (Volume I)
Serving the Wealthy: The Modern Butler’s & Household/Estate(s) Manager’s Companion, (Volume II)

Other Print Books by Steven Ferry

Butlers have been serving the wealthy and powerful for over a millennium but hotel butlers are a recent phenomenon. Apart from one or two butlers in the luxury hotels that appeared starting in 1865, butlers only came into being in hotels in 1982.

Until the publication of Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators in 2004, only isolated job-descriptions defined the position. In the 15 years since, the hospitality markets have changed considerably and technology has leapt into the forefront; and the Institute has trained and consulted butlers and other staff in 200 four- and five-star hotels and resorts, as well as cruise ships, greatly expanding the understanding as well as the duties of the “hospitality butler.” The obvious benefits of having a butler in hotels meant resorts, cruise ships, airlines, and even hospitals started to introduce butler service, too. As a result, the title of this new book has progressed beyond the limited “Hotel Butlers” to “Hospitality Butlers” in order to reflect the new reality.

Who knows where the hospitality butler will be in another 15 years, but for sure, this book will serve you well until then, whether your aim is to be the best hospitality butler you can be, or you are looking for a template to establish a butler presence or department in a facility that you want to provide superior service.

For those thinking outside the box for the next way to “wow” and serve their guests, clients, patients, passengers, etc., this book is a good starting point, for we maintain the thread of superior service developed and enshrined in the butler profession in its servicing of royalty, nobility, the wealthy, and powerful over the last millennium—surely the most demanding of “clients.”

Hospitality Butlers: Bringing About a Completely New Level of Service

“It is the greatest book ever written about our trade.” EDS

“I am often asked to train hotel butlers. I admit that I did not always know how to answer my students. Thank you for writing this book and congratulations, dear colleague.” JM

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Butlers and Household Managers, 21st Century Professionals  (English Edition)
Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators  (English Edition)
Mayordomos, Profesionale Del Siglo XXI  (Spanish Edition)
Mayordomos De Hotel, Los Diferenciadores Del Gran Servicio  (Spanish Edition)
Maggiordomi & Direttori di Casa Professionisti del 21° Secolo  (Italian Edition)

For the Russian print version of ‘Butlers and Household Managers – 21st Century Professionals‘, please contact the Institute directly. We also have a digital copy of the Russian book available, so if you prefer that, do ask us about that.

Kindle Versions

For all of you KINDLE fans, Amazon.com now makes all these books available to its readers in KINDLE format: the English, Spanish and Italian versions of the book can all be purchased in KINDLE format as of November 2014. In addition, the KINDLE versions can be purchased not only through Amazon.com, but also through Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.es (for Spanish-speaking markets) and Amazon.it (for Italian markets). So if you own a KINDLE and prefer that format, be sure to check your Amazon web store to purchase your copy of the book.

Free Downloadable Booklet

The booklet Butlers & Household Managers Standards provides the standards for the performance of a private service butler but is also largely applicable for the hospitality butler. It is offered as a free download to anyone interested in studying and knowing the basics of an excellent butler & household manager. Click here for your own copy.

“Thank you very much for sending the [Household Manager Standards] booklet, much appreciated. I really miss the butler world and training, even though the spirit, ethic, and dedication is still there no matter what our role may be today — it stays in the blood. Hope you are well and stay busy spreading inspiration and good things through butler training and others activities.” BP

“This detail of household service standards is really wonderfully done. I hope everyone in service reads this, refers to it often, follows it, and is inspired by it.” JG

“How wonderful, thank you so much. This might be a nice booklet to give to some of our clients, too.” S&G FH

“We have many inquires and phone calls from people who are curious about or interested in starting a career in private service so I’m glad we have something to send to them.” DC

“What a pleasant Christmas surprise you have bestowed upon me: From the bottom of my heart, I thank you most sincerely FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR ALL OF US!” LW

“The two books, Serving the Wealthy Volumes I & II … are indispensable texts for anyone in the profession.” DD

“I reread your publication Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators, and found it to be an invaluable publication, second to none in my view, and wondered if I could utilize it in training butlers.” RS

“I just finished reading your book ‘Butlers & Household Managers’ and found it extremely interesting and very informative. What a wealth of information…you can use this book if you want to become a Butler or just help organize your own home. I will be going out either tonight or tomorrow to purchase ‘Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators.’ I just had my second interview for a position as Butler with (luxury resort). I thought the interview went well. I’m excited about the opportunity of working at such a prestigious resort and I hope to be brought back soon for my third interview. I’m looking forward to reading ‘Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators’ very much and I’m sure I will go though your book many times and keep it as a valued reference. Again, I just want to thank you for a great resource that I will use for many years.” ME

“I have read some of the book and I must say that I am extremely pleased with what I have read and learned. I am finding it difficult to refrain from reading at work. Though I am sure that the information I shall glean from the contents will help. I am in the service industry. I work in a home furnishings showroom and we are also manufacturers representatives. We serve the high end consumer. I have often thought that our professions must be very similar. From what I have read so far indeed that is the truth.” JL

“I found this to be very helpful in the way of home management with so many useful suggestions to make my home run more orderly. It was well worth the money. Excellent!” BB

“An invaluable source of information for Private Service Professionals. Mr. Ferry’s book is a Butler’s work manual for the real world. With practical information to help a young Butler survive in the world of private service but also for people in senior positions. It’s the only complete publication, (that I know) and a must have for everyone in the business. Thank you Mr. Ferry.” A

“The most informative and concise book for this topic. I loved this book and still refer to in occasionally. I wish more books were written by him and perhaps in a memoir tone so it could be an entertaining version of this one. I’ve read others that are “behind the scenes” and was quite put off with the arrogance of them. Big accolades to Steven Ferry for writing a practical and inspiring book, I only wish there were more from him!” K

“You don’t have to be a butler to love this book! I am NOT a butler, but I sought this book out on the internet and finally purchased it after thinking I could use it for many years. I was NOT disappointed. It is the best self-help book on the market! This book can help you organize your life on nearly every level. It is an organizers dream book for most of us who have to live without at butler. Yes, I am still in the process of becoming a good household manager, but now I have the advice and skills of my ‘guide book man.'” DA

“Simply The Best! If you are involved in the world of private service, I highly recommend this book as a “must have.” Mr. Ferry has gone to great lengths to get it right and the results are contained within the pages of this book. Mr. Ferry presents us with a history of Butling (and other private service household positions,) and weaves a rich tapestry of service standards, duties, do’s and don’ts, professional expectations and numerous other pieces of valuable advice throughout the book. If you do not have this wonderful resource in your collection my advice is to get it and use it.” DR

“I read `Butlers’ cover to cover. Great! It captures the essence of good butling-competency and discretion.” Anon

“I‘ve read your book cover to cover and not only enjoyed it but also learned many new things.” Vice President/Secretary, International Association of Household Professionals

“Six weeks ago I purchased your writings of Butlers and Household Managers, which I hasten to add is outstanding!!! It is to the point, pays attention to the details of everyday operations and the manner and style in which to deliver private service. It has proven to be a most excellent guide/reference that assists and refreshes me as needed. Your checklists are a valuable resource that can be edited or embellished to suit the circumstances. Thank you for sharing your expertise. This book is worth its weight in gold!” Anon

“Butlers and Household Managers has been a great help to me in my new position and honestly speaking, I COULD NOT HAVE MANAGED TO DO SOME OF THE TASKS THAT WERE ASKED OF ME, IF I HAD NOT PURCHASED THIS BOOK. … It has been a God send for me.” WJ

“This is just a short note, to say a very big thank you for a book that has now become a Bible in my work place. It is like reading parts of my life in print, and the appendages are invaluable to one in a butler’s position. I thank you, with much appreciation.” A butler on 5th Avenue