Though the title is misleading, The Xenophobe's Guide to the Italians has little to do with Xenophobia. It is one of the books in a humorous British nonfiction series introducing the reader to different countries and different cultures, which, according to the publisher, are almost guaranteed to cure xenophobia.

There are a great many good reads in the series including, among others, the ones on Japan, France, the United States, and even one on Britain. The aim of these books is to make the reader familiar with the peculiarities of certain countries, describing the good and bad habits of each nation, and, though often exaggerating these, always giving a positive picture of the nations concerned.

The topics you can always find in these books include the identity and the attitudes and values of a nation, and many interesting ones like family life, leisure time, eating and drinking, customs and traditions, sense of humor, the business world, the government and a few things about the language. Conciseness is just another one of the merits.
From the role of the mamma and the regional differences within the country to the amount of time tolerated when coming late, from this short 64 page guide, you can get useful information on many aspects of Italian life.

This witty and useful guide can be very useful to anybody planning to spend some time in Italy or for those who have already moved there, but also for anybody willing to have a greater understanding of Italian popular culture and for all those learning Italian.

Reviewed By Ilona Hegedus
© May 2005