- Paperback: 64 pages
- Publisher: Oval Books (29 Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1902825217
- ISBN-13: 978-1902825212
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 10.6 x 0.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 756,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Xenophobe's Guide to the Canadians
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a Canadian, I learnt a few things from this book, but very few. I am sorry if this book may be one of the first things visitors and new immigrants read. This guide seems outdated, even if it says it was updated in 2007!
Besides being very averagely written, the author's viewpoint is quite narrow, and speaks of someone with Anglo roots. Canada is not just about the two solitudes, English and French (of course that is an ongoing theme but it's not the only one). The "other" cultures, including the Aboriginals (note to the author - there are THREE groups, why is there nothing on the Métis?), are given short shrift and is a rather central theme to Canada. There could have been a brief but useful history section on Canada. I was annoyed the author often does not name the people even when he refers to their famous quotes (eg. Trudeau). Name the two Canadians who founded McDonald's - by only naming Ray Kroc, you again obscure the two Canadians in history. I sense an aversion to actually giving serious facts and a rather hastily done job in this book.
The Xenophobe guides can be real gems. I have used these quick guides for other countries I have actually lived in, not just touristed. I bought this book for a friend who is new to Canada. I read it too, realising I should have had a look long ago. This one is more superficial than it needs to be, even for a brief guide. It makes me wonder how much time the author still spends in Canada (as it says he lives in Georgia and a continuous plan to leave Canada when he can). Just how old and fixed are these views?
Again multiculturalism is given a cursory discussion - maybe because to this author, they still remain "other" Canadians, perhaps because he has no direct exposure where he is from and within his social circle. This author grew up in the Bible belt of the prairies. He hardly managed to capture the regional differences of this country.
I hardly write reviews (and usually I write positive reviews on books that leave me very impressed!) but as a Canadian, I was just disappointed with this book. I urge Oval Books to update this book properly (I see it was supposedly updated in 2007). Perhaps add a second author's input - someone younger, actually living in Canada 2008, not necessarily with roots from Europe, and not fixed to 50-60ish year old views. This author's version feels grey-haired, regardless of "updating". Find a second author or replace this "snowbirding" author, someone who has travelled across Canada (not just to plant trees!) and actually spent time and observed the many provinces and territories. The Xenophobe's Guide to Canada can be deeper. Show Canada where it was and IS NOW, warts and all. This version (2007) is still be useful as long as you know the background of this author and the feeling it feels about 20 years old...
Besides being very averagely written, the author's viewpoint is quite narrow, and speaks of someone with Anglo roots. Canada is not just about the two solitudes, English and French (of course that is an ongoing theme but it's not the only one). The "other" cultures, including the Aboriginals (note to the author - there are THREE groups, why is there nothing on the Métis?), are given short shrift and is a rather central theme to Canada. There could have been a brief but useful history section on Canada. I was annoyed the author often does not name the people even when he refers to their famous quotes (eg. Trudeau). Name the two Canadians who founded McDonald's - by only naming Ray Kroc, you again obscure the two Canadians in history. I sense an aversion to actually giving serious facts and a rather hastily done job in this book.
The Xenophobe guides can be real gems. I have used these quick guides for other countries I have actually lived in, not just touristed. I bought this book for a friend who is new to Canada. I read it too, realising I should have had a look long ago. This one is more superficial than it needs to be, even for a brief guide. It makes me wonder how much time the author still spends in Canada (as it says he lives in Georgia and a continuous plan to leave Canada when he can). Just how old and fixed are these views?
Again multiculturalism is given a cursory discussion - maybe because to this author, they still remain "other" Canadians, perhaps because he has no direct exposure where he is from and within his social circle. This author grew up in the Bible belt of the prairies. He hardly managed to capture the regional differences of this country.
I hardly write reviews (and usually I write positive reviews on books that leave me very impressed!) but as a Canadian, I was just disappointed with this book. I urge Oval Books to update this book properly (I see it was supposedly updated in 2007). Perhaps add a second author's input - someone younger, actually living in Canada 2008, not necessarily with roots from Europe, and not fixed to 50-60ish year old views. This author's version feels grey-haired, regardless of "updating". Find a second author or replace this "snowbirding" author, someone who has travelled across Canada (not just to plant trees!) and actually spent time and observed the many provinces and territories. The Xenophobe's Guide to Canada can be deeper. Show Canada where it was and IS NOW, warts and all. This version (2007) is still be useful as long as you know the background of this author and the feeling it feels about 20 years old...
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Once again the Xenophobes guide books have proved to be a reliable source for any tourist international student or person wishing to spend any time in canada.
This was the most important book i took with me to canada, it gave me a real insight to these people allowing me to fully understand their customs and ways. A was able to read this book with ease on my flight and by the time i finished it was time to land!
The guide books contents and ease of read make it an interesting and enjoyable read
But seriously anyone visiting canada should give consideration to this book and anyone planning to live there should have a copy of this.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A Winner on His First Try
18 Nov 2002
Format:Paperback
First of all, his name is "Roste". not "Roster". Please change
that on the website. Thanks. Having noted that, I'm pleased to
say that I find this book delightful! It is informative, humourous as well as full of good humour, and has just enough ascerbic wit to keep it tangy. The style could be called typically Canadian - and that's certainly suitable! - in that
it blends an obvious national pride with a certain self-effacing
manner. Vaughn has managed to peg some of the vulnerabilities of
various places, peoples, and perspectives in this great land and
do it in such a way as to bring smiles instead of frowns - to this reader anyway! By the way, this reader is from the States (a
Canadian resident for 16 years)and all Vaughn's references to that land south of the Canadian border are taken as they were made, in good humour. Anytime he has come close to a bit of subtle criticism, I've agreed anyway!
that on the website. Thanks. Having noted that, I'm pleased to
say that I find this book delightful! It is informative, humourous as well as full of good humour, and has just enough ascerbic wit to keep it tangy. The style could be called typically Canadian - and that's certainly suitable! - in that
it blends an obvious national pride with a certain self-effacing
manner. Vaughn has managed to peg some of the vulnerabilities of
various places, peoples, and perspectives in this great land and
do it in such a way as to bring smiles instead of frowns - to this reader anyway! By the way, this reader is from the States (a
Canadian resident for 16 years)and all Vaughn's references to that land south of the Canadian border are taken as they were made, in good humour. Anytime he has come close to a bit of subtle criticism, I've agreed anyway!
I recommend this book to all Canadians who will undoubtedly learn
even more about their country, to people in the U.S. who might
pick up something valuable for the first time(!), and to anyone
planning a trip to any part of the Great White North. What he has
written has prompted me to check out several other books in the
Xenophobe Series AND to order a good many copies of this book to
give to friends. Now....how do I go about ordering?! Get set for
several printings!
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