The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans (Xenophobe's Guides - Oval Books) [Paperback]

Stephanie Faul (Author)

Book Description

Series: Xenophobe's Guides - Oval Books | Publication Date: March 1999

Highlights the unique character and behavior of the nation. Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Xenophobia--an irrational fear of foreigners, probably justified, always understandable."

"Xenophobe's Guides--an irreverent look at the beliefs and foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia."

The Xenophobe's motto is "Forewarned is forearmed," and this guide series gives travelers to foreign lands as much ammunition as possible. In The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans, Stephanie Faul (herself an American) takes readers on a perceptive, ironic, frequently hilarious tour of the American psyche, from its basic traits to its attitudes about sex, drugs, and gun control. Discussing the American character, for example, Faul states "Americans believe themselves to be the only nation that is truly capable of winning.... Having God on your side in a fight is good. Having the United States on your side is better. To an American, they're the same thing." On obsessions she writes: "There are a few, a very few things that Americans condemn as being beyond the pale. They include: Growing Old ... Being Fat ... Dying."

Perhaps Americans themselves are in the best position to appreciate Faul's barbed commentary, but foreign visitors will surely find plenty to inform as well as amuse in this slim volume. American readers, take heart: there are 18 other Xenophobe titles taking equally irreverent potshots at everyone else, from the Australians to the Icelanders. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"An enlightened new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides to different nations deserves a real cheer. "
--The European

"Each book is an entertaining essay on the failings, foibles and good points of their subjects. Their humour is relaxed and gentle and it would be a sour, churlish native of a subject country who would object seriously. "
--The Northern Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Oval Books; 1st edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902825160
• ISBN-13: 978-1902825168
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 3.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,361,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Anthropology > Cultural

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brutally funny and very accurate, May 26, 2000

By 

Al B. (Rome, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans (Paperback)

This is a great gift to give to someone coming to American or to a foreigner living in the US. This little book irreverently captures what is unique about American life -- a topic that others have struggled with, starting with de Toqueville in the 1800s.

I just wish the author would now do one just specializing in Southerners!

I have read two other books in this series -- one about the Swiss, one about the Germans -- and they are just as accurate and funny.

These little books take no more than an hour or two to read.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great humor, sacrifices insight, September 15, 2004

By 

Natasha "nattygans" (Phoenix Valley, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans (Xenophobe's Guides - Oval Books) (Paperback)

I just finished reading the Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans. It was a very funny little book, took less than an hour to read. As long as I remained undefensive (I am an American), I enjoyed it. However, I would say that the book is more meant for humor than for actually understanding the culture. Several times the author mentioned atypical examples, or outrageous happenings, to get a point across (e.g. ordering frozen vegetables online). However, some of the examples, despite their absurdity, were dead on! Like I said, it is a very funny book, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh. However, to get a less-stereotypical, more accurate view of any culture, I would recommend the Culture Shock! Series instead.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic!, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans (Xenophobe's Guides - Oval Books) (Paperback)

I teach a course at a local business school on the environment for doing business in the United States. All 23 of my students are citizens of other countries and they are hungry for insights and guidance not found in standard texts and properly "politically correct" lectures. I had just submitted my book order for the summer trimester when I learned, to my great dismay, that the book was no longer published. I've since considered every possible (legal & ethical) way of getting this material into my students' hands, only fantasizing about Xeroxing the whole darned thing and then evading the Copyright Police for the rest of my life. I now find that the book is, in fact, still available. Good news for this crop of students and the next!