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Return to Book Page. Preview — The English by Jeremy Paxman. Why do they seem so unsure of who they are? Jeremy Paxman is to many the embodiment of Englishness yet even he is sometimes forced to ask: who or what exactly are the English? And in setting about addressing this most vexing of q In The English Jeremy Paxman sets out to find about the English. And in setting about addressing this most vexing of questions, Paxman discovers answers to a few others.
Like: Why do the English actually enjoy feeling persecuted? What is behind the English obsession with games? How did they acquire their odd attitudes to sex and to food? Where did they get their extraordinary capacity for hypocrisy? Covering history, attitudes to foreigners, sport, stereotypyes, language and much, much more, The English brims over with stories and anecdotes that provide a fascinating portrait of a nation and its people.
A book to chew on, dip into, quote from and exploit in arguments' Andrew Marr, Observer 'Bursting with good things' Daily Telegraph Jeremy Paxman is a journalist, best known for his work presenting Newsnight and University Challenge. He lives in Oxfordshire. Get A Copy. Paperback , pages. Published by Penguin Books first published January 1st More Details Original Title.
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See 1 question about The English…. Lists with This Book. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 3. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Apr 28, Robert Day rated it liked it. Thankfully, I don't know Jeremy personally yes, I know this is difficult for my North American readers to understand being as both Jeremy and I both live in 'London'!
All I really know about Jeremy is that he's on the radio and he interviews people although if you're reading this in the year this may not still be true. This book that Jeremy wrote comes over like the weather in Engl Thankfully, I don't know Jeremy personally yes, I know this is difficult for my North American readers to understand being as both Jeremy and I both live in 'London'!
This book that Jeremy wrote comes over like the weather in England, on virtually any day since the history of forever: partly sunny, partly cloudy, with a moderate risk of hailstones the size of sixpences. Hmm - I think that metaphor broke down along the way; but anyway - some parts of this book are excellent, some are utter tosh and most of it says nothing whatsoever about the experience of your average Englishman aka me of being English.
The excellent parts are I've re-read my 'Reading Progress' notes, and it's all pretty much cloud, rain and snow, with a brief moment of sunshine between pages 24 and 32 when the book made me feel momentarily privileged to be English. The tosh is pretty much everything else, mainly because I consider the parts of the book that don't speak to me to be tosh too.
I wonder how I came to consider myself to be so stereotypically English, yet without identifying myself as the English described in this book. My nose has more than a touch of Roman about it, so perhaps my identity confusion comes by way of being descended from Actually, I don't feel confused about this at all.
I'm English, and Jeremy doesn't know me and so could not have included me in his book - it's a simple as that. What he has done is describe the England that he knows and the people that he knows, and so has missed out everything and everyone else. The only parts of the book that include me are those that mention the 'common' or words to that effect people who live in the 'ugly' not my experience built-up parts of the country and who presumably don't matter enough to be consulted by Jeremy as to their views and opinions he wrote letters to several public figures in order to get their views on what it means to be English.
A better approach to researching this book would have been to step away from Wikipedia, forget about the famous people he quoted, get out into the country and just talk to more people. If you're reading this Jeremy - you can come and stay with us for a while - there's a futon in the spare room whenever you're ready - and I'll introduce you to a few people on the estate. Yeah - I know - utter tosh - sorry and all that. View all 6 comments. Jun 26, Margaret added it. Didn't finish.
Got well pissed off when I reached an historical "fact" that I know is bollocks. Completely lost interest at that point. View all 8 comments. Feb 06, Graham Tapper rated it it was amazing. A fascinating analysis of the State of the Nation and how we got to be who we are. However, the picture that Paxman paints draws mostly upon the past and the changes in attitudes and beliefs and this continues from where he left off as much as it changed in the past.
Paxman does emphasise that he is discussing the English as opposed to the British. However, it is interesting how and when and by whom the terms English and Briti A fascinating analysis of the State of the Nation and how we got to be who we are. However, it is interesting how and when and by whom the terms English and British are used and how those that use them my mean the one when they say the other.
He also exposes many misconceptions about the English such as the so called modern phenomenon of "Soccer Hooliganism". Turns it it's nothing of the sort, nor is it a feature just of the English game. Records of football violence date back as far as the 17th century and is as much a feature of German, Italian and Scottish football "fans" as it of the English. Paxman's book is hugely readable and highly engrossing. It should be compulsory reading in all schools.
Paxman, the famous UK television presenter known for his caustic interviewing - and generally coming across as a sneering, aggressive, pedantic and lecturing bully, also has written a few books. With The English , that judgmental tone - condescension and superiority to all those who do not see the world in the same, simplified way as him a rigid and monotone liberalism , coupled with an arrogance and irreverence to the rich and 'elite'- both hallmarks of a permanently embittered and irredeemably spiteful man - color every page of The English , an inquiry into what traits and attitudes are essential to the English character, with forays into English cultural and political history.
Even when Paxman uncomfortably strays into simpering emotionalism, his boorish and judgmental tone colors every thought. Paxman should be boiled down to a saucy, viscous ooze and used to scrub away otherwise intractable rust and embarrassing stains and spills. View 2 comments.
Jul 28, Humphrey Boon added it Shelves: the-social-and-economic-history-of. What review? I have mislaid the book! Feb 01, E Owen rated it liked it. The book begins as a perceptive pulse-taking of Englishness and examines the struggle to re-formulate a post-colonial identity on the realisation that England is now a sub-nation of the UK rather than a master of quarter of the world. It is resolute nostalgia and calm stubbornness, diffidence, xenophobia, traditionalism.
The other alternative is John Bull: the famously rotund caricature famous as a straight-talking reflection of Napoleonic resistance who guzzles all manner of things. These are the only offers of the ideal made when there are so much more to choose from. He then veers off to talk about a balding merchant banker with a penchant for BDSM really? In discussing how Englishness has come to the fore in response to cultural renaissance in Wales and Scotland, he delves into his own Anglocentric ignorance the first recorded Eisteddfod was , not !
The book finishes by looking at how things have both changed and remained the same: how much the English like a fight, but now that is at in most town centres after countless pints of pasteurised Danish-style lager with other toothless morons. Hasn't Englishness always been a fluid concept?
Of course it has: I've always preferred the ostentatious sensual English baroque of the late 17th century to the repressed, dour, starch-collared Englishness of the 19th.
It's a bit of a mixed bag this, really. I can't say I learned a great deal from it - but then, on the other hand, I'm not sure I expected to.
Paxman, in his uniquely deprecating way explains why the English nation is the self-hating mess that it is. Over the course of the book, he interviews the great and the good - from caddish rogue Simon Raven who once suggested by telegram to his impoverished wife that she eat their baby to former Prime Minister John Major.
We're treated to several lists of It's a bit of a mixed bag this, really. We're treated to several lists of examples of Englishness - fish and chips, Monty Python, dry-stone walls, crosswords, Do-It-Yourself, the music of Elgar, and so on. I guess the major failing of the book is that we never really get to the depths of why the English are as we are, but I guess the beauty of that issue is that there are so many possible explanations that we could never entirely boil it down to simple causes.
This obviously leaves Paxman to fill the middle ground with some very interesting navel gazing Jul 26, John Grinstead rated it liked it. A surprisingly readable account of the historical events and influences that have contributed to the development of Englishness and the unique character of this island race.
Whether you are proud to be English, riddled with guilt about our historical associations with colonialism and the slave trade or are looking for an insight into what makes the English who they are, this makes a pretty good fist of things. Paxman differntiates the national characteristics of the English from the British as a A surprisingly readable account of the historical events and influences that have contributed to the development of Englishness and the unique character of this island race.
Paxman differntiates the national characteristics of the English from the British as a whole and traces the changes that have brought us to where we are today; less sure of ourselves and, arguably, in search of a new identity, both at home - as we cope with the influx of Europeans - and in trying to establish where we stand in the wider world order.
Whether you are a Paxman fan or find his intellectual snobbery and smugness irritating, this account is undeniably well-researched and is delivered with wit and self-depricating humour, if at times it is a little rambling. A good read. Jan 23, Jack Strange rated it it was amazing. Jeremy Paxman has a quite wonderful way with words and puts his skills to good effect in this wonderful portrayal of the english. It's an ambitious aim, but he pulls it off.
I am myself english, or count myself english, and i recognise many of my traits in his portrait. I wonder whether other english readers will feel the same way; and whether those who are not english, but have english friends, will recognise the traits of their english friends in this book? If you are english, or an anglophile, Jeremy Paxman has a quite wonderful way with words and puts his skills to good effect in this wonderful portrayal of the english.
If you are english, or an anglophile, or just someone who enjoys increasing hs breadth of knowledge on a number of subjects, you should consider reading this book. In addition to it's other many virtues, it's great entertainment! This book was published in and many things have changed since then, notably the Brexit vote and ongoing wrangling. So it was interesting to see how much of that anti-Europe feeling was alive and well among many English people long before it came to the Referendum.
Being the Australian child of English parents, there was much that I recognised of course. The book is dated in some things, but essentially rings true, and I found it entertaining. Jan 26, Audrey rated it it was amazing. This was an educational read for me. Paxman identified the inextricably linked relationship between national identity and national history, as well as how national identity affected England's foreign policies and affairs.
Paxman also elaborated on the character and disposition of the people, presenting the reader with the changing culture of England. Jun 12, Sarah Clement rated it really liked it. If you know Paxman and what he's all about, then this book is exactly what you'd expect: it's England according to Paxman, and he hates everything. But in a weird sort of way, it ends up being less biased than other books I've read on the topics because Paxman's disdain for practically everything means that he explores many different dimensions of 'Englishness' from many different angles.
This is not the book for English people to read if they want to pat themselves on the back and re-affirm the If you know Paxman and what he's all about, then this book is exactly what you'd expect: it's England according to Paxman, and he hates everything.
Englishness as class: A re-examination. This paper considers the significance of class to English national identity. It takes one systematic exposition of the argument that Englishness has been traditionally and intimately bound up with … Expand. Shakespeare is an iconic symbol of English and, by … Expand. View 1 excerpt, cites background. England — Whose England? This paper explores the contested and racialised nature of Englishness as a national identity.
Based on qualitative interviews of white mothers in London, the paper examines the different ways in … Expand. View 3 excerpts, cites background.
The making of English national identity. Preface 1. English or British? The question of English national identity 2. Nations and nationalism: civic, ethnic and imperial nations 3. When was England? The first English empire 5. The second part sums up the book and its chapters, while the third is to extract the main thesises and point out the authors point of view and intention. In the last section I try to give my opinion to the book, its author and the previously presented details. Paxman begins his presentation with a short preface.
It deals with information about his intention which he discusses more detailed in the following chapters. Paxman points out, that there have not been important changes in the national character between and While examples for English national symbols e. Now the disaster is that the English do not know where they are going and also who they are. This chapter introduces in the argumentation as it gives an idea of being English. The following chapters deepen it.
According to Chapters three and four I have to say that their headlines do not match the contents of the text. They seem to be exchanged for each other. Nevertheless these chapters deal with arguments about the racial development of the English, who descent from the Celts as well as from Romans, Vikings, Normans, Anglo-Saxons and Jutes, who all conquered parts of the island, settled there and influenced the development of culture on the British isles.
In chapter four the formerly conquered English are now shown as conquerors themselves. Later in this chapter the significant difference between being English and being British is distinguished. Coloured immigrants from former colonies call themselves British and also the Scots and Welsh might do, whereas only the English call themselves English but also British , but interestingly manly those people are remarked to proclaim their Englishness loudly, who are white but whose descent often is not English at all.
We Happy Few describes provincial people looking backward and stand against European integration which in their mind threatens Englishness. On the other hand it is says, that Englishness does not depend on being English for many Australians or even some Americans show characteristics of an Englishman.
This means Englishness is more a question of a certain kind of behaviour than a question of race. The English like to see themselves as brave people. According to this their patron is St. George and their history often tells the story of the few braves fighting the properly superior enemies. The Parish of The Senses tells the story of the Church of England and its principals which have influenced the English for example by giving them space to believe without ruling how to do it 9 or by cutting up English culture from continental culture Also the way of publishing the bible to be available for all is described as so as the political and social consequences to Englishness.
Home Alone is about typically English individualism and its appearances such as privacy or architecture. In the following chapter There Always Was an England the English are told to have a schizophrenic view upon their country.
They speak either about the country they really live in or the image of a country they would like to live in. The first one is urban and modern and real, the second one more rural and actually past and promises haven. But the breed is obsolete for it has been created for the Empire. Other typical characteristics are described then by redrawing the caricature of John Bull 16 or narrating the story of the legendary Jack Mytton 17 or by giving examples of archetypes of English sportsmen like C.
Fry By the way the English are told to be rather practicing than thinking. And they are obsessed by sports and the idea of the game. Many men have used to enjoy special services but Prostitution, though wide-spread, officially never has existed for a long time.
Men have ruled society and men have decided how to behave as a woman: Women have been to stay home and care about household and family life and not to be taught too much.
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