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

Stefan Zeidenitz (Author), Ben Barkow (Author)

Book Description

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

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Xenophobe's Guides which give a wickedly satirical look at the foreigners we love to hate... "
--Cambridge Evening News

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

From the Back Cover

'Virtually all Germans have health problems, and if they don't, there must be something wrong with them.
Most of what ails them is stress related. No nation was ever more stressed, but this is understandable. After all, running Europe can take it out of you.'
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; First edition (November 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902825292
• ISBN-13: 978-1902825298
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,819,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Anthropology > Cultural

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, but accurate, account of German Kultur and Volk, July 26, 1999

By A Customer

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

I lived in Germany for over 3 years, and was a tour guide part-time, explaining aspects of German society to Americans. I saw first-hand a lot of the material in this book, written by transplanted Germans. While one may think the book generalizes too much, I can say my experience was the passion for Ordnung, Bildung, and Kultur are exactly as this book describes, and there is really is no concept of "small-talk" in German. Excellent for anyone who lives there or plans to visit.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars concise, true and very funny, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

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

I'm a German working from time to time abroad (often in the UK). The book is written by two Germans working now for decades in the UK and explains the culture difference from a british point of view. I think it is a great insight on the attitudes, implicit policies and main motivations of Germans. Furthermore, it is very funny (I had to read it in one session and was laughing out loud most of the time). A must read if you plan to go to Germany!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, funny and on the ball (almost), March 6, 2002

By 

Jo' Chambers (Germany) - See all my reviews

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

I have read a few of the Xenophobe's Guides, and this so far is the best and the funniest. Maybe because I have lived here for the last two years, and experienced all the wonderful quirks and traits of the locals that I could relate to this book, but really, it is for everyone who plans to visit or live here, and of cause for the Germans themselves.

Natually, I didn't agree with all of it, especially the working atmosphere... It's really not as formal as written in the book, at least not these days, but much of the rest runs true.

A bit expensive for only 64 pages, but worth it for the laugh.