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Title: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss by Paul Bilton ISBN: 1-902825-45-4 Publisher: Globe Pequot Pr Pub. Date: 01 March, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.75 (4 reviews)
Rating: 1
Summary: A silly little book
Comment: This cynical, poorly-researched pamphlet reveals little about the Swiss, but much about what certain armchair travelers imagine to be typical American stereotypes about the Swiss.
The book is replete with factual errors and sweeping generalizations. To give one example, it states that Switzerland has "no heavy industry" and is "basically a farming country." When was the author last in Switzerland? In the Middle Ages? Anyone who has even ridden a train through the country can see the ludicrousness of this statement. A recent article in the Swiss press reveals that Swiss farmers receive 80% of their income from government subsidies. As elsewhere in Europe, farming is kept alive because of its social (and touristic) benefits, but it is hardly a mainstay of the economy. Manufacturing and tourism are Switzerland's largest industries.
Most of the material, true and untrue, is presented in a negative, sneering way. The underlying assumption seems to be that anything that differs from the way the author imagines things to be in the US is worthy of ridicule. The author twists some facts and invents others (e.g. his mention of "suicidal cults") to support his spiteful and condescending thesis.
I know there are many who find this sort of negativity very funny, but it seems to me that such "xenophobes" would rather stay home, where they needn't let facts get in the way of their stereotypes. I can't imagine why anyone who enjoys traveling would find this book amusing.
Rating: 5
Summary: More than just yodelling
Comment: This is really not a guide book in the traditional sense. That is, you can't find out where to get a decent hotel, day excursion, or meal in Switzerland by reading this book. Rather Bilton, an Englishman, comments on the culture he learned after marrying a Swiss woman and living in her country for the last 10 years or so. His insights into the Swiss people, particularly their attitudes, behaviors, and societal structure are insightful and often hilarious. Switzerland is surprisingly diverse and too often overlooked by those studying European history and culture. It's easy to not look beyond the image of banks, watches, and chocolates to get to know the people behind the stereotypes. This witty book cuts to the chase and is at times quite irreverant, though certainly not offensive. It's one thing to eat rösti. It's another to understand the röstigraben. This book explains both.
Like the author, I too am married to a Swiss woman and read this book prior to a two-month trip to Zurich to study German and learn more about my wife's parent culture. I found this little book a surprising and entertaining resource. Time and time again, I found my experiences meeting and getting to know the Swiss strangely reminiscent of the pages of this book. I even loaned it to Swiss friends who concurred that its observations was right on the money. So I read the book again at the conclusion of the trip--and laughed aloud even more the second time. It's a quick read, for more detailed insights from Bilton, see his diary "the Perpetual Tourist", which covers similar ground.
Rating: 4
Summary: Ironic but true
Comment: As a Swiss I read this book with great pleasure since it is very funny but true indeed. As a foreign reader you will find lots of hints and information to help you understand Swiss mentality and differnces between cultures in one small country. (What is a Luftschutzkeller?) As a Swiss you will realize how others see us... and that much of it is quite true!
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Title: Why Switzerland? by Jonathan Steinberg ISBN: 0521484537 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 28 September, 1996 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
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Title: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans by Stephanie Faul ISBN: 1902825160 Publisher: Globe Pequot Pr Pub. Date: March, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Californians by Anthony Marais ISBN: 1902825209 Publisher: Globe Pequot Pr Pub. Date: 20 June, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: The Xenophobe's Guide to the French by Nick Yapp, Michel Syrett, Michael Syrett ISBN: 1902825284 Publisher: Globe Pequot Pr Pub. Date: September, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: The Xenophobe's Guide to the English by Antony Miall, David Milsted ISBN: 1902825268 Publisher: Globe Pequot Pr Pub. Date: 01 April, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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