| | |
The Xenophobe's Guide
to the Welsh
by John Winterson Richards
A guide to understanding the Welsh that explores their nature and outlook
with benevolence and humour.
NOW
Available online as an eBook. See button below right to sample.
| Welsh wilfullness | | The Welsh are stubborn - very, very stubborn. The Welsh themselves would probably rather
say 'tenacious', but to anyone on the receiving end a better description might
well be 'bloody-minded'. |
| Proud and proud of it | | Welsh pride is real pride - the sort of mindless, instinctive, animal
pride that requires no justification or excuse. It is simply pride for the sake
of pride. Such pride is the only thing one has left when one has been stripped
of everything else. |
| It's not unusual to be ... an actor |
| Given the propensity of Welsh people of all types to overact at every
given opportunity, it is not surprising that those who manage to tone it down
a bit have gone on to world fame as actors (or politicians, who are, after all,
only an inferior species of actors). |
| Warriors at heart | | The Welsh are extremely proficient at rugby. They enjoy it and they take
it seriously. This is because rugby - with its physical aggression, tactics, disciplined
use of brute force and organised violence - is the closest thing modern day life
can offer to Wales' traditional national sport: war. |
| A short
but very witty and extremely well observed overview of Wales, its people and culture.
Working its way through religion, sport, social structure (the Welsh Matriarchy),
drinking, rugby, and more drinking, it had me laughing out loud with it's insightful
observations (although these were not always complimentary, they were all true!
). Well worth a read if you are Welsh, or if you know somebody who is about to
travel to Wales. | | Ottawa, Canada |
|
The Welsh, like the Scots, share Britain with the English and get
very annoyed when they are lumped in with "England". The prickly
and sometimes violent relationship between the Principality and
its large neighbour has shaped both nations, but especially Wales.
It has also led to the growth of a lot of stereotypes about the
Welsh as held and purveyed by the English, most of them unflattering.
This book looks in an informative and entertaining way at what makes
the Welsh different, what makes them tick, and what makes them special.
As someone with ancestral roots in Wales, family connections, and
a fairly frequent visitor I found it well worth reading and very
true to life. |
| Ireland |
| An enlightened
new series, good natured, witty and useful. The Xenophobe's Guides to different
nations deserves a real cheer. | | The European |
|
Each book is an entertaining essay on the failings, foibles and good points of
their subjects. Their humour is relaxed and gentle and it would be a sour, churlish
native of a subject country who would object seriously. |
| The Northern Times |
Nationalism
and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners
and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and
Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language | |
|
| Author:
John
Winterson Richards |
| Format:
96
pages, pb |
| Published:
01/07/2008 |
| NEW
EDITION |
| Price:
£4.99 |
| ISBN:
978-1-906042-51-6 |
| Online
eBook. Click on button below to sample. |
|
