Speak the Culture: France: Be Fluent in French Life and Culture |
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Andrew Whittaker
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Pages: 300 (Paperback)
ISBN: 1854184938
Pub: Thorogood
Pub date: 2007-10-15
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 11630
Editorial Review:
Even as Eurostar relocates to a gloriously refurbished St Pancras station and the journey time between London and Paris is shaved even closer, more and more people on both sides of the Channel are taking advantage of the extra opportunities this highly cherishable link offers us. And for those already in love with France (not to mention the ever-increasing legions of converts), Speak the Culture: France will be an invaluable aid and companion. Actually, no publisher has attempted anything quite like this, and the publishers Thorogood are to be much applauded for their ingenuity and achievement. The subtitle is Be fluent in French Life and Culture, and that facility is just what this remarkable volume offers, cramming an amazing mass of information into its well-designed pages. Everything is here, from French art and literature, architecture, media, sport, fashion and (of course) food and drink. But while not being in the slightest dumbed down, the information here (while often dealing with such weighty subjects as Proust and French existential philosophers) is delivered in a concise and highly accessible style (and aided considerably by the clever graphics which have a nicely self-mocking subtext -- when was that last seen in a book on a foreign country?). So, you're sitting on Eurostar, and a fresh espresso is to hand. Don't reach for the glossy magazine the train company provides -- crack open Speak the Culture: France and you'll be thoroughly tooled up for your visit to the City of Light. --Barry Forshaw
Reader Reviews:
Entertaining Information (1/2 people found this helpful)
The book is set out in an easy to read format and adds much to one's knowledge of France and the French.
It has given many ideas for further books/music/art to investigate.
French culture (1/2 people found this helpful)
This was a refresher course in the literature, art and food of France. An overview rather than a detailed account and as such would be helpful for anyone going to live there or just on a visit. Background knowledge is always a useful tool in understanding another culture.
Necessarily Limited but Fun (2/2 people found this helpful)
OK - the entire gammit of French culture cannot be contained in a mere 300 pages, but this book is something I wish I'd had when I first moved here rather than having to do it the hard way.
It is a bit of a bluffers guide, granted, but there is just enough detail here to at least give one an idea of what is important and why.
The most useful parts for me where in the coverage of French attitudes to the arts and philosophy and the section "living culture" - attiudes to sex, race, social class and so forth - that can appear opaque to say the least to a stranger.
The only weakness was the food and drink section which, while it did contain a fair amount of useful information, did play up a little to the French stereotype of culinary chauvinism.
Overall a useful guide for those planning to spend some time in France (on holiday or for a longer stay) or anyone just interested in what makes the "sweet enemy" tick.
Good content but lacks an index (3/3 people found this helpful)
This book gives the reader lots of useful information about French life, culture, food etc but the lack of an index means it only rates 4 stars not 5.
Publishers - please take note and include one in the next edition!
essential reading for francophiles (4/4 people found this helpful)
If you love France or are thinking of moving there, this is absolutely indispensable. Even though I have been in France for 5 years, there were loads of interesting facts I didn't know or that made sense of baffling customs. Highly recommended.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Languages -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Reference -> Language
Books -> Subjects -> Society, Politics & Philosophy -> Social Sciences -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> Countries & Regions -> Europe -> France
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> Speciality Travel -> Living & Working Abroad
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Font Size (format_browse-bin) -> Regular Size