Oval Books

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...

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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...

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 ...

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....

The Austrians, 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 a...

A humorous approach to French that shows that you can speak the lingo simply by using plain English. Invaluable phrases will trip off your tongue, gems like: Is that a baguette in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? , You did not tell me it would be extra , and Are you sure that all these symptoms are caused by a liver attack?

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...

The Poles, 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 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...

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...