Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom,   ISBN:9780312336653

Customer Rating: 

This is a great book for anyone who is looking for a little insight on life in England. She breaks down all the different topics and then at the end of each chapter she will highlight the main topics and gives you a translation of unfamiliar words. She also provides helpful websites to check out at the end of each chapter as well. It was a great help! Highly recommended!

Customer Rating: 

I am moving to England in a few months and have been trying to learn as much as I possibly can before the move. I have had this book for three days and have read it cover to cover. It was fun and easy to read. I plan on reading it again soon. It answered a lot of questions I had about England and explained things pretty well. I recommend reading if you are moving to England or just want to learn more!

Customer Rating: 

This is the type of book I enjoy: a tell it like it is, give it to me straight guide to Britain. If you are new to the UK or just keen on unraveling all (well, some) of its mysteries, Rules, Britannia is a fine place to start.

While Rules, Britannia was a bit of a review for me (having lived in the UK), I took great pleasure in walking down memory lane and had quite a few "oh, yeah" moments when I was reminded of things I had forgotten. Even still, Toni managed to teach this die hard Britophile a thing or two...or three. For instance, I was not aware that discussing ones salary in Britain is considered taboo. I'm glad to hear it frankly and wish we were as discreet here. Recently a work mate of mine ask me how many credit cards I have and if I pay them off each month. Shocking!

Some of the topics covered in Rules, Britannia include differences in our use of English, especially particular words and phrases, as well as driving in the UK, restaurant etiquette and Pub life. My favourite chapters are on the British educational system and Briton's attitudes toward child rearing. I never quite understood what the differences were between GCSE's, A Levels and O Levels, but Rules, Britannia explained it all clearly. And I was happy to read that Brits draw a distinct line between their children and their social lives. Yes, parents have social lives there-imagine that.

I will be passing along Rules, Britannia to my husband, whom before he met me, barely gave the UK a thought I'm afraid. Thanks to Toni's hard work, I feel confident he'll be ready for our trip next year.

Melissa
www.smittenbybritain.com

Customer Rating: 

Ms Hargis, an expat Brit living in the US, demystifies British culture in an accessible and humorous fashion. "Rules, Britannia" should be required reading for anyone staying in Britain longer than it takes to make a connection at Heathrow. Likewise, Brits traveling to the States should find it equally entertaining and enlightening, and they might learn enough about the American culture to keep from embarrassing themselves. But even if you're not planning on traveling across the Pond, if you're simply curious as to what "half three" means or how to order a drink in an English pub, "Rules, Britannia" will have the answer.

Customer Rating: 

This is an excellent "study guide" before going to the UK. I would definitely recommend it from cover to cover. The author is very thorough to the point of giving lists of American words vs. British words with their respective meanings.