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

David Ross (Author)

Book Description

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

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A new series of books which takes a light-hearted look at the residents of various countries without crossing the line between funny and cruel."
--North of Scotland Newspapers

"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

Two adjectives from their own form of the English language haunt the Scots. One is 'pawky', the other is 'dour'. The pawky Scot is a person with a droll grin and a wisecrack to accompany it. The dour Scot is a person with a grim expression, a grim mind, and a grim turn of phrase to accompany it. It is a special Scottish talent to combine both characteristics within the same person.
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 (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190282542X
• ISBN-13: 978-1902825427
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 3.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,589,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating, entertaining look at what makes the Scots tick, March 29, 2002

By 

Iain S. Palin (Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews

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

As a Scot myself I can vouch for the uncanny accuracy of this book. A sympathetic (but not unquestioning), highly entertaining, accurate, and short book which explains what makes the Scots tick and also explains some the qualities that have helped them make a contribution to so many other countries where they have settled.

3.0 out of 5 stars AYE, well almost, November 4, 2011

By 

L. Muircroft "history buff" (Evanston, IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

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

This is a quick little book to read. It does encompass a feel for the Scots character with some mild humor. The points of national pride, music and so forth are pretty much on target. Even though the book has been updated it still is a bit behind the times on some of the topics. If you want to know the difference between the Scots and the English this will give a bit of information that explains it.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, worth reading, August 20, 2005

By 

Queen Goddess of the West "Krissyliz" (Ogden, UT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

This guide made some interesting points, such as the idea Scots like being noted for both fiery tempers and dour dispositions. I would gladly read the author's book of Scottish insults, since those were some of the best things about the book.