The Xenophobe's Guide to the Americans
"Xenophobia--an irrational fear of foreigners,  probably justified, always understandable.""Xenophobe's Guides--an irreverent look at the beliefs and  foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia."The Xenophobe's motto is "Forewarned is forearmed," and  this guide series gives travelers to foreign lands as much  ammunition as possible. InThe Xenophobe's Guide to the  Americans, Stephanie Faul (herself an American) takes readers  on a perceptive, ironic, frequently hilarious tour of the American  psyche, from its basic traits to its attitudes about sex, drugs,  and gun control. Discussing the American character, for example,  Faul states "Americans believe themselves to be the only  nation that is truly capable of winning.... Having God on your  side in a fight is good. Having the United States on your side is  better. To an American, they're the same thing." On  obsessions she writes: "There are a few, a very few things  that Americans condemn as being beyond the pale. They include:  Growing Old ... Being Fat ... Dying."Perhaps Americans themselves are in the best position to  appreciate Faul's barbed commentary, but foreign visitors will  surely find plenty to inform as well as amuse in this slim volume.  American readers, take heart: there are 18 other Xenophobe titles  taking equally irreverent potshots at everyone else, from the  Australians to the Icelanders.