Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Xenophobe's Guides


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was Nomination withdrawn. My google was apparently broken when searching. Star  Mississippi  21:09, 31 May 2022 (UTC)

Xenophobe's Guides

 * – ( View AfD View log | edits since nomination)

I love this series, but cannot find any evidence of notability or any discussion of the series. Publisher is a redlink (and a BEFORE doesn't indicate notability on which to build a stub) so no viable merger. Star  Mississippi  14:30, 26 May 2022 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Authors-related deletion discussions.  Star   Mississippi  14:30, 26 May 2022 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Literature-related deletion discussions. Shellwood (talk) 14:54, 26 May 2022 (UTC)
 * Comment a Google news search does bring up a number of quick references in passing, usually because an author has done something else or as to spice up a regional article a bit with a fun fact. Not really sufficient though. Artw (talk) 16:02, 27 May 2022 (UTC)
 * Wasn't able to confirm any of the print cites, which is a shame as the last two look solid. Was able to confirm the times article exists but not get the text. Artw (talk) 16:08, 27 May 2022 (UTC)

Keep per the significant coverage in multiple independent reliable sources. Coverage about the Xenophobe's Guides series:  The article notes: "... But equally to blame is a lack of knowledge of other cultures and peoples or misconceptions, and one easy, entertainingly funny, yet useful way, to remedy this is to peruse this series of books, ironically named "The Xenophobe's Guides".  Terming its mission to highlight the unique character and behaviour of various nationalities -- in a manner that is "almost guaranteed to cure xenophobia" through judicious dose of humour and the irrepressible laughter it engenders, the series was started in 1993 by Anne Taute "as a humorous take on the UK being an island nation and its prevailing attitude being 'us' (the British) and 'foreigners' (everyone else)".  The humour is typically British -- wittily irreverent, deprecating (self-deprecating when needed) and uproariously hyperbolic at some points, though the writers are not necessarily only British, but, in many cases, hail from the country they seek to profile or have lived there extensively. Among them is Zhu Song, author of "The Xenophobe's Guide to the Chinese" (2010), who confesses she dislikes three phrases ... That sets the tone for the series, which presently comprises 32 installments, with all, except three, dealing with a specific nationality (the exceptions are the Scots, the Welsh and the Californians, who differ from the rest of their countrymen in taking "their beliefs so seriously that many lose touch with what doesn't need to be believed")."   The article notes: "The Xenophobe's Guides series has launched a couple more of its handy pocket sized guides to other nations, bringing the total to 10. Joining the guides to the English, Spanish, French, Germans, Aussies, Poles, Russians and Welsh are guides to the Greeks and the Swedes. The format is the same as the others, with chapters on humour, culture, health and hygiene and behaviour. As ever, the chapter on obsessions gives a valuable insight into the character of the people of the country."   The article notes: "The Xenophobe's Guides  The last thing we would do is endorse xenophobia. And certainly these provocatively-titled books do nothing of the sort. In fact, their intent is to cure xenophobia through humor and honesty. Published in the UK (and hard to find in the US), these concise guides are frank, irreverent and intensely funny guides to the culture, beliefs, traditions and foibles of nations. Get the Russian or Polish guide for yourself, and give a gift of the American guide to your foreign partner. Then exchange copies. Your relationship will be the richer in the process. Xenophobes's Guide to the Russians [GA959·64 pp., softcover·$5.95]  Americans [GA956·64 pp., softcover·$5.95]  Poles [GA958·64 pp., softcover·$5.95]"   The book notes: "Greek to me. If you're already thinking about amusing (and cheap!) stocking fillers, Xenophobes Guides may be one answer. The new series has so far unleashed guides to the French, the Spanish, the Germans, the Aussies and, hold on, the English. They run to some 50 pages, cost £2.50 and are published by Ravette Books. The publishers set the irreverent tone at the outset by defining Xenophobia thus: "Greek noun — an irrational fear of foreigners, probably justified, always understandable".  <li> The article notes: "Following last year's launch of five Xenophobe's Guides — English, Spanish, German, French and Aussies — three more of the lighthearted guides are on their way to bookshops. The new ones are The Xenophobe's Guides to the Welsh, the Poles and the Russians. Published by Ravette Books at £2.50 each, they are well worth reading before you visit any of the countries, or if like me you have relatives that hail from those parts of the world they can explain a lot!" </li> </ol></li> <li>Coverage about individual Xenophobe's Guides books:<ol> <li> The article notes: " The Last Word on Swedes is the "Xenophobe's Guide to the Swedes" (Ravette Books Limited ISBN: 1 85304 741 4) written by Peter Berlin.  The Xenophobe's Guides are a new series of books that take a wry, irreverent look at the character and behaviour of different nations. Now it is the Swedes' turn to be put under a magnifying glass. ...  Time Keeping The Swedish businessman is likely to show up 15 minutes early for business appointments, start circling the block to kill the extra time, and get arrested for kerb crawling." </li> <li> The article notes: "Den Grundgedanken dieser Reihe kann man so auffassen: Der sogenannte "Fremdenversteher" nimmt Klischees aufs Korn und macht sie dadurch lächerlich. Diese Fremdenversteher, die deutsche Ausgabe der britischen "Xenophobe's® Guides", wollen aber auch tatsächlich etwas über die Franzosen, Italiener, Engländer oder wie hier Isländer erzählen. Der Spagat macht es etwas schwierig, da es so doch zu einer Aneinanderreihung von Pauschalurteilen kommt. Es ist ja verwegen, solche Sätze in die Welt zu werfen: ..." The article notes from Google Translate: "The basic idea of this series can be understood as follows: The so-called "stranger understander" makes fun of clichés and thereby makes them ridiculous. These foreigners, the German edition of the British "Xenophobe's® Guides", actually want to tell you something about the French, Italians, English or, as here, Icelanders. The balancing act makes it a bit difficult, as it results in a series of blanket judgments. It's audacious to throw such sentences out into the world: ..." </li> <li> The article notes: "You don't have to go to China. You certainly won't have to spend years studying the language and culture of the Middle Kingdom. To acquire sufficient working wisdom on the subject to guide your company in its business, advise your anxious government, or simply add China to your understanding of the world just pay £2.50 and read this tiny book. Xenophobe's Guides claim to provide 'an ..." </li> <li> The article notes: "Now, at 74, she has written a book. It's called The Xenophobe's Guide to the Kiwis and is part of a series put out by Sussex publisher Ravette. Cape Catley has taken on the New Zealand agency for the Ravette guides. ...  Her brief for the xenophobe's guide was to write "a cheeky, non- politically correct but affectionate run-down on the Kiwi character". After years of working as a journalist, faithfully checking every statement and attributing them, she found it a novel experience to be able to make bold, sweeping statements about the Kiwi psyche and lifestyle. ...  There are also xenophobe's guides to the Aussies, Americans, Chinese, English, Germans, and soon the Japanese." </li> <li> The article notes: "J.C. Yang's The Xenophobe's Guide to the Chinese (Ravette, £2.50 pbk) is a witty and affectionately critical appraisal of about a quarter of humanity. The pseudonymous Yang, clearly British, deals with everything from food to noise, sex to calligraphy, lavatories to gambling. Xenophobe's Guides and their sisters, Bluffer's Guides, are outstanding value, absurdly underpriced. Buy now." </li> <li> The article notes: "Argumentative, depressive, inebriated lotharios. These unfortunate qualities are the defining characteristics of the Scots, according to a controversial new guide book. ... The nation is reported as unhealthy, too, with a life expectancy two years less than the English - whom they detest - according to the Xenophobe's Guide to the Scots. The book, to be published this month, is aimed at travellers and businessmen preparing a visit. ... The latest in a series of guides to countries around the world, the book is designed to offer a light-hearted look at a nation's lifestyle and characteristics. The guide, however, has provoked irritation and confusion among Scottish academics and cultural societies." </li> <li> The article notes: "Buy the book "Xenophobe's Guide to the English," a humorous but largely accurate look at the English culture and personality (there are Xenophobe guides to dozens of other nationalities, including Americans). It currently takes up to six weeks to get it, but this tongue-in-cheek look at the English is worth the wait." </li> <li> The article notes: "SCOTS are an unemotional, republican lot - obsessed by the weather but uninterested in personal hygiene, according to a controversial new guide book.David Ross, the Scottish author, has sparked outrage in his attempts to reveal Scots' national characteristics. ... And in the forthcoming Xenophobe's Guide to the Scots Mr Ross writes ... The book is the latest in a series providing a light-hearted look at the lifestyle and characteristics of nations." </li> <li> The article notes: "A controversial new guide book claims that Scots are argumentative, depressive drunkards obsessed with the weather.  The Xenophobe's Guide to the Scots also says many people would prefer to see Sean Connery on the throne rather than the Queen and slams hygiene standards." </li> <li> The article notes: "Ever the renaissance man, Opik has also turned his hand to literature, co-authoring "humorous" book The Xenophobe's Guide to the Estonians. On Amazon, it is selling for the cut price of pounds 3.79. One customer calls it "a mind-blowing piece of garbage"." </li> <li> The article notes: "Paul's Bilton's slim volume The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss is an amusing insight into the Swiss national character." </li> <li> The article notes: "Xenophobe's Guide to the French by Nick Yapp and Michel Syrett (Ravette Books pounds 2.50). 'The French produce the most beautiful paintings in the world and the ugliest wallpaper. They work hard, but are never seen to be working. Drive through France at any time of the day, week, month or year and 95% of the country appears to be uninhabited or fast asleep'. Short, aphoristic, seriously funny, not that xenophobic and almost entirely apt guide, perfect homework for the fortunate on ferry or plane." </li> <li> The book notes: "Xenophoboe's Guide to the French by Nick Yapp and Michel Syrett (Ravette Books £3.50). 'The French produce the most beautiful paintings in the world and the ugliest wallpaper. They work hard, but are never seen to be working. Drive through France at any time of the day, week, month or year and 95% of the country appears to be uninhabited or fast asleep'. Short, aphoristic, seriously funny, not that xenophobic and almost entirely apt guide, perfect homework for the fortunate on ferry or plane." </li> <li> The article notes: "Hard to resist a book entitled The Xenophobe's Guide to the Spanish (Ravette Books £2.50), one of a series which also covers the French, Germans, Australians — and the English — and is published on the premise that the more you know about people, the less you fear. It debunks the idea that Spanish men are pumped full of machismo and notes that despite bullfighting they are not generally cruel to animals. It also concludes that they view the British ..." </li> </ol></li> </ol>There is sufficient coverage in reliable sources to allow Xenophobe's Guides to pass Notability, which requires "significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject". Cunard (talk) 10:09, 30 May 2022 (UTC) </li></ul>
 * Keep Cunard found clear evidence this passes the general notability guidelines.  D r e a m Focus  20:31, 31 May 2022 (UTC)


 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. <b style="color:red">Please do not modify it.</b> Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.