Finding England: An Auslander's Guide to Perfidious Albion

by Holger G. Ehling

It is easy to find England on a map―it is part of that conspicuous thing in the North Sea, just off the French coast, and to the left of Denmark and Norway. It gets trickier once you are not even the English are keen to explain what England really is. Why do the English eat what they eat? Why do they do what they do? And why does the world think that England and Englishness is something to aspire to, something to adore? Holger Ehling takes us on a journey to iconic places, from London to Jarrow, from Stonehenge to Chipping Norton, from Shakespeare's Globe to the marvels of Blackpool, pondering along the way about history and everyday life and about what it is that makes these places and these people so quintessentially English and, therefore, different. We will meet royals and beggars, con-artists and real artists, heroes and villains, English roses and the legacy of the Empire Windrush. And perhaps, just perhaps―we will find England.

220 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[Mary Warnement · Rating 4 out of 5]

The size of this small book, part of The Armchair Traveller series, caught my eye in Brookline Booksmith. It was discounted and worth every penny. Holger Ehling is a German writer looking at England. Simon Winder's Germania proved such a disappointment that I set it aside, so I was intrigued to see how a German's perception of England compared. I found Ehling more congenial and enjoyed his essays. It was worth it alone to learn there is a potato crisp flavor "cajun squirrel." I like to think that it's a cajun flavor marketed to squirrels, but I resist looking this particular answer up. (I don't want to know.) He reminded me of history I knew, made me research some unknown expressions, and shared facts new to me. In a perfect size for the subway. I see other examples from this series include a fold-out map. I am a sucker for a fold-out map. Ehling is just the sort of person I'd enjoy sitting next to on a train--or better yet--in a pub.

[Jos Deroo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent little guide through the history and culture of England (mind you, not Great-Brittain), written by a German...

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming little book. My biggest criticism is that if you enjoy charming things, as many of us do, or books, as is also common, then you already may know quite a bit about England, and parts of this book become redundant. Finding England is for the English beginner. Mr. Ehling takes us on a walking tour around the country, stopping in places like King's Cross, London; Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire; Ely, Cambridgeshire; and Savile Row, London to explain aspects of England (not Britain. All England, all the book). What he says about the idea of England, and especially the royal family, is helpful, but two thirds of the book are concerned primarily with history, and I was disappointed because I am already know all the important kings and who killed whom. When Mr. Ehling goes on to more conceptual English things: Eton, pubs, literature, neighbors, etc, the book lives up to its promise. The writing is all charming and Mr. Ehling keeps it up throughout. The book itself is adorable and one could carry it around on one's travels.