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

Antony Miall (Author), David Milsted (Author)

Book Description

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

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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

"The Xenophobe's Guides raise a smile and give you an understanding of the beliefs and foibles of nationalities."
--Glasgow Evening Times

From the Back Cover

'Because the English do not like being told what to do, any order has to be given with a degree of politeness which many other nations find incomprehensible.
Should you follow custom and express an order as a request, you will achieve the desired effect. Express it simply as an order, with no hint of personal choice, and the English will invariably break for tea.'
Xenophobia is 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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Oval Books; 1st edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902825268
• ISBN-13: 978-1902825267
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,182,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So true!, May 9, 2005

By 

K. Malone (England, United Kingdom.) - See all my reviews

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

I am British myself (and only came on the American Amazon site to view how you Americans saw the book). This book is wonderfully true. If anyone dares to disagree they must not know the English! I would strongly advise anyone visiting England to read this book first! Its tells you all you need to know about us in a hilarious and true fashion. I recently visited America and realised what a huge culture difference there is between us both. I plan on buying the American version soon. Hopefully it will live up to the English version.
The only criticism I have for the book was that it wasn't very long, only about a hundred and something pages. Although, that said, it's ideal for a plane flight. I read the whole book in about an hour. It's very addictive.
Anyway, if you want to be in the know about us English then buy the book. You wont regret it!

P.S
A little note to anyone who plans to visit England...AVOID A RESTRANT (if you can call it that) CALLED 'LITTLE CHEF' AT ALL COSTS. I see many tourists come to England and go to a little chef thinking that English food is just bad and that's why the food is like that. Truth is its not. They also charge a fortune and serve you up something that makes cat sick look appetising. Avoid if you can!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the review of the Swiss, November 23, 2008

By 

Book loving mom (Avon, Connecticut USA) - See all my reviews

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

Having read the xenophobe's guide to the Swiss, and having lived in England, I truly hoped to get a real hoot out of this book. However, it was not nearly as irreverant as the Swiss book, which was a double whammy to me because that is EXACTLY what is so dear about the British people!! However, most of the points are valid and if you're simply looking for some clues about how to behave when visiting England, this book is probably pretty good for you.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Acid critic of the English way of life., June 4, 1998

By 

Raul Gallego ([e-mail]) (Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews

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

This book reviews the English way of life, with all its pecualiarities and also with its contradictions. You will enjoy it if: a) you know the English way and check that you weren't the only one to find those strange behaviours. b) You are an englishman/woman with good sense of humor that enjoy knowing how the people see you. I can't wait to read "Xenophobe's guide to the Spanish", just to check if I have the sense of humour I've always thought. It'll be funny to know which aspects of my daily life are strange to the others.