Books to read before moving to england?

Question

I'm moving there in a few months, and I wanted to become more familiar with its history and customs. I know a whole lot about American History, especially US history, and I just love it, but there's clearly...more history, in terms of recored history...for England. I really want to become as familiar with England as I did with the US in the past 7 years, but I'm afraid that won't be so easy, considering I won't be attending h.s. there or anything...

Anyways...any suggestions, I'm not afraid of very long lists of books....I love to read.

Answer 1

"Simon Schama's A History of Britain" is a book and TV series. It is quite simply the most comprehensive history of Britain you're likely to find. Schama is a bit full of himself but he's very good.

History can lead to a deeper understanding of culture, but it can not teach it. Culture and custom must be learned with time and experience I'm afraid - that's life. A mistake people on both sides of the Atlantic make is thinking that because The British and Americans have they same language, we have the same culture, we don't! There are many cultural nuances that can lead to misunderstanding and animosity.

I can give one or two tips:

Us Brits love to queue, we are the politest queuers in the world. Don't ever queue jump or you'll be lynched (verbally).

Brits are very proud of driving on the left, which is the original and correct way.

Brits love to criticise the royals, but don't like anyone else to criticise them. The same goes for the BBC and the NHS.

Brits (especially the Welsh and Scottish) don't like it when people don't know the difference between England, Britain and the United Kingdom.

Brits hate the letter 'z' and try to use it as little as possible.

Drinks are never topped up for free in the UK.

Hopes this helps.

Answer 2

Bill Bryson's "Notes From a Small Island." As an American who spent 20 years of his life in England, Bryson writes a touching, funny and deeply informative account of his last trip through England before moving away.

I'm moving to England soon too, and this is one of the best books I've read about it!

Answer 3

"The English", by Jeremy Paxman (again a little pompous, but that's part of the beauty).

"The Story of English", by Robert MacNeil, Robert McCrum and William Cran. Another book/TV series and an excellent delve into the evolution of the language.

"Britons: Forging the Nation1707 - 1837" by Linda Colley. Hugely readable history.

Any of the Bertie Wooster and Jeeves stories by P.J. Wodehouse. Still some of the funniest examples of gentle English humour around.

The British Rail Timetable of Trains to Scotland. Follow it's advice, but don't rely on it's accuracy. (woops! sorry, B.R. has'nt existed for years, but such is nostalgia). Lol. Enjoy your stay!

Answer 4

Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour by Kate Fox. It's meant to be really good, I'm currently waiting for it to be delivered.

How to be a Brit: A George Mikes Minibus

A foreigner's perspective of the Britain that he found when he emigrated here.

As for reading about the history of the country, you are probably going to end up reading quite a lot of books, as there is far too much to fit into one period. I, personally, find WWII quite interesting (note: WWII started in 1939, not 1942 as many Americans seem to think!) and it has shaped quite a lot of British society. This book has an American's (1942) view on the British, as given to American solidiers to help them fit in: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Instructions-Ame...

Divided by a Common Language: A Guide to British and American English by Christopher Davies.

I haven't read this book, but it seems to have quite good reviews and will help you with some of the more impenetrable slang you might find here.

Good luck with your move :)

Answer 5

The Other Boleyn Girl.By Philippa Gregory