
Anglomania
A European Love Affair
Ian Buruma(Author)
Atlantic Books (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 1. June 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-84354-961-1 (ISBN)
Description
With its distinctive history of civil liberties and the delicate balance between social order and the free pursuit of self-interest, England has always fascinated its continental neighbours.
Buruma examines the history of ideas of Englishness and what Europeans have admired (or loathed) in England across the centuries. Voltaire wondered why British laws could not be transplanted into France, or even to Serbia; Karl Marx thought the English were too stupid to start a revolution; Goethe worshipped Shakespeare; and the Kaiser was convinced that Britain was run by Jews.
Combining the stories of European Anglophiles and Anglophobes with memories of his own Anglo-Dutch-German-Jewish family, this utterly original book illuminates the relationship between Britain and Europe, revealing how Englishness - and others' views of it - have shaped modern European history.
Buruma examines the history of ideas of Englishness and what Europeans have admired (or loathed) in England across the centuries. Voltaire wondered why British laws could not be transplanted into France, or even to Serbia; Karl Marx thought the English were too stupid to start a revolution; Goethe worshipped Shakespeare; and the Kaiser was convinced that Britain was run by Jews.
Combining the stories of European Anglophiles and Anglophobes with memories of his own Anglo-Dutch-German-Jewish family, this utterly original book illuminates the relationship between Britain and Europe, revealing how Englishness - and others' views of it - have shaped modern European history.
Reviews / Votes
'This delightful, witty and learned study is an exploration of the extraordinary fantasies, misperceptions and ill-judged adoration which have marked the continental view of England over the past two centuries.' Michael Ignatieff 'Emblematic of the wonderful misunderstandings which have historically been at the heart of a certain sort of Anglomania... Political... cultural... sartorial and... eccentric... Buruma has a wonderfully sharp yet sympathetic eye.' Guardian 'Ideas fly from it like wasps from a kicked nest.' The Times 'Fascinating... A quirky but deeply thoughtful exploration of the problems of identity, assimilation and belonging... A marvellously stimulating, idea-packed book.' Daily TelegraphMore details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
303 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84354-961-1 (9781843549611)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2015
Atlantic Books
€11.49
Available for download
Person
Ian Buruma is the Henry R. Luce Professor of Human Rights and Journalism at Bard College in New York state. His books include God's Dust, The Wages of Guilt, Bad Elements and Murder in Amsterdam, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Current Interest Book and was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize. He was the recipient of the 2008 Shorenstein Journalism Award, which honoured him for his distinguished body of work, and the 2008 Erasmus Prize.