How to Be a Brit - Softcover

Mikes, George

Softcover

ISBN 10: 024197500X ISBN 13: 9780241975008

Publisher: Penguin, 2017

Synopsis

George Mikes provides a complete guide to the British Way of Life. Born in Hungary, he eventually spent more than 40 years in the field, and the fruits of his labor include insights on important topics including the weather, how to be rude, and how to panic quietly. How to Be a Brit contains Mikes's three major works: How to be an Alien, How to be Inimitable, and How to be Decadent. The advice includes such gems as how to plan a town ("Street names should be painted clearly and distinctly on large boards. Then hide these boards carefully"); queuing ("An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one"); and sex ("Continental people have sex lives: the English have hot water bottles").

About this title

About the Author

George Mikes moved to London in 1938 to become the correspondent for a Hungarian newspaper. A keen observer of the behavior and misbehavior of foreigners and natives in Britain, he is frequently cited by later authors including Kate Fox and Jeremy Paxman. He died in London in 1987.

Review

In all the miseries which plague mankind, there is hardly anything better than such radiant humour as is given to you. Everyone must laugh with you - even those who are hit with your little arrows. * Albert Einstein to George Mikes * An instant classic -- Francis Wheen on 'How to Be an Alien' Very funny * The Economist * Bill Bryson is George Mikes' love-child -- Jeremy Paxman This is the vital textbook for Brits, would-be Brits, and anyone who wonders what being a Brit really means. Pass me my hot water bottle, please -- Dame Esther Rantzen Wise and witty -- William Cook on 'How to Be an Alien' * Spectator * Brilliantly comical -- Pico Iyer on 'How to Be an Alien' * New York Times * Mikes is a master of the laconic yet slippery put-down: "The trouble with tea is that originally it was quite a good drink" -- Henry Hitchings I love it and read it cover to cover. Also has good tips for talking about the weather, not that we need them -- Rachel Johnson Full of the very best advice that any would-be Brit should need (and for those of us who have forgotten exactly how it is to be ourselves) it's a jolly good read * The Telegraph * How to be an Alien inspired me ... Some of his observations remain remarkably fresh and relevant 70 years later, but it's his tone that impressed me -- Erin Moore, author of That's Not English Brilliantly comical -- Pico Iyer on 'How to Be an Alien' * New York Times * I used to think that Mikes's world has gone, but it has returned to us in spades via the referendum. -- Nick Fraser * The Guardian *

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 024197500X
• ISBN 13: 9780241975008
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272