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The Xenophobe’s Guide to the Belgians
Published by Oval Books, London
ISBN-10: 1902825195
ISBN-13: 978-1902825199
First published in 1995
The Xenophobe’s Guides are a kind of parallel series to the Bluffer’s Guides, also published by Oval Books. They are based on a clever formula: although designed to amuse, they tell the reader the essentials about what makes a nation tick. As the back covers put it: ‘Xenophobe’s Guides - an irreverent look at the beliefs and foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.’
It requires some nerve to try to summarize a nation in a short, humorous book, but I felt as qualified as anyone to write this volume by virtue of being married to a Belgian, and through my many trips to visit in-laws and to research my guide books. There was much at stake, and so I was relieved to find that the book has been favourably received, both in Belgium and abroad - and by my in-laws.
Publishing history
Originally published in 1995 by Ravette Books, Horsham
ISBN 1 85304 570 5; updated 1997, 1998
First published by Oval Books 1999; updated 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
Dutch translation: Dat zijn nou Typisch Belgen (translated by Enno van der Eerden), Uitgeverij Krikke, Leiden
ISBN 90 5641 011 3 (1995)
Also translated into Japanese and Estonian. |
