Oval Books

Xenophobe’s Guide to the Scots is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Scots Scottish. “Until comparatively recently, Scottish catering was something to be feared.” Xenophobe’s guides attempt to forewarn readers of the main stereotypes and foibles that are associated with individual nationalities. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a ser...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the French is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the French French. “In conversation, French hands are never still. They display the state of mind, heart and soul of the parties involved.” Xenophobe’s guides attempt to forewarn readers of the main stereotypes and foibles that are associated with individual nationalities. Each guide explores the charact...

The Greeks, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and ...

The Spanish, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and...

The Swedes, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and ...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the Aussies is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Aussies Aussie. “Aussies visiting their parents’ beach house accept that fish and visitors go off after five days.” Xenophobe’s guides attempt to forewarn readers of the main stereotypes and foibles that are associated with individual nationalities. Each guide explores the characteristics of a c...

The Dutch, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and t...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the English is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the English English. “People will leave a step between themselves and the next person on an escalator even when it’s crowded.” Xenophobe’s guides attempt to forewarn readers of the main stereotypes and foibles that are associated with individual nationalities. Each guide explores the characteristics...

The Danes, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and t...

The Finns, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and t...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the Italians is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Italians Italian. “Punctuality is only relatively important in Italy and the time is often treated as an approximate.” Xenophobe’s guides attempt to forewarn readers of the main stereotypes and foibles that are associated with individual nationalities. Each guide explores the characteristics of...

The Germans, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and...

The Belgians, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom an...

The Russians, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom an...

The Icealnders, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom ...

The Norwegian in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom an...

The Swiss, in the Xenophobe guide series; consisting of a range of pocket-sized guides which take a humorous and irreverent approach to a wide range of world cultures. Each guide explores the characteristics of a country’s people in a series of dedicated sections, encompassing nationalism and identity, behaviour, manners, character, obsessions, beliefs and values, leisure and pleasure, culture, custom and t...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the Canadians is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Canadians Canadian. “Canadians have figured out that anything that can be done on water can also be done on ice.” Xenophobe’s guides attempt to forewarn readers of the main stereotypes and foibles that are associated with individual nationalities. Each guide explores the characteristics of a c...

A guide to understanding the Israelis that unravels their idiosynracies and national characteristics.