Customer Reviews

True Brits: A Tour of Britain In All Its Bog-Snorkeling, Shin-Kicking and Cheese-Rolling Glory

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True Brit describes arcane British traditions which reinforce the stereotype of the (alleged) British tolerance, or even love, of eccentrics. The author tracks down strange yearly rituals in the United Kingdom and reports on them in a wry, sardonic style.It would be hard to report on them in any other style though. The annual cheese rolling event in Cheddar Gorge was banned at one point in its not-so-venerable history because of the dangers inherent in hurling oneself down a very steep, rocky hillside in pursuit of a hurtling wheel of cheddar cheese. The interviews with the local participants and voyeurs are a study in understatement in the face of extreme methods of recreation which usually result in injury of some sort, sometimes on a rather grand scale.
This book will inspire readers to slowly shake their heads in dumb-founded astonishment that people will do the weirdest things because it's traditional and that other people will inevitably gather around to watch the ensuing mishaps and embarrassments. In that spirit, I recommend it for anyone who would like to plan a "completely different" vacation in Britain with stopovers at some of the towns or villages which host these astoundingly odd examples of group fanaticism.

This is a fun and fascinating read, revealing a side of Britain -- and America -- that few people have ever heard of. Daeschner takes us inside a game of Mob Football, the roots of our very own Superbowl, and also risks his legs in Shin Kicking, while recounting a particularly vicious match in Pennsylvania, of all places. Among many other events, he explains how "Darkie Day" in Britain's West Country was inspired by American black-faced minstrels (think Al Jolson): to this day, the Cornish darken their faces and dance around singing songs by Stephen Foster! Daeschner's stated aim is to show "everything that makes Britain great -- and at times, not so great," and he does an excellent job at doing just that, without shying away from controversial subjects. Perfect for Anglophiles and Anglophobes alike. Five stars.