Oval Books

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...

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 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...

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 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 ...

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 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...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the Americans is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Americans American. “Special licence plates have car owners vying with each other to see who is the cleverest.” 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 cou...

The Chinese, 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 Irish is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Irish Irish. “Writers occupy a powerful position in Irish society: the wall of the local pub, to be exact.” 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 p...

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 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...

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 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...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the Welsh is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Welsh Welsh. “Those who manage to tone it down a bit have gone on to world fame as actors or politicians.” 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 pe...

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 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...

Xenophobe’s Guide to the Japanese is a pocket-size guide that takes a frank and funny look at what makes the Japanese Japanese. “Whatever sport you play, you must look the part. If you go cycling, you must have the full kit, as worn by the winner of the Tour de France.” Xenophobe’s guides attempt to forewarn readers of the main stereotypes and foibles that are associated with individual nationalities....