Another "Must have" book for EF readers.

This book is crammed with unusual details of Swiss life, written by an Englishman living and working in Berne, it is very readable; Diccon previously worked for Lonely Planet and Holiday Which.

Most Swiss citizens can learn something new here too! I am amazed at how much I didn't know about this country I have lived in for 21 years!
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At your local bookshop, or here (ISBN-13: 978-1857885484)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swiss-Watchi...1470196&sr=1-1

Quote from Amazon: One country, four languages, 26 cantons, and 7.5 million people (but only 80 per cent of them Swiss): there's nowhere else in Europe like it. Switzerland may be almost 400 km from the nearest drop of seawater, but it is an island at the centre of Europe. Welcome to the landlocked island. Switzerland is the country that not only gave us triangular chocolate and holey cheese, but also the world's first Toilet Duck (1980) and the Swiss Army Knife (1897). The country is famous for its punctual trains and strict neutrality. This is the country that has yodelling festivals on national television. But what lies behind these stereotypes? 'Swiss Watching' is a revealing journey around Europe's most individual country. From seeking Heidi and finding the best chocolate to reliving a bloody past and exploring an uncertain future, 'Swiss Watching' proves that there's more to Switzerland than banks and skis, francs and cheese. This is a picture of the real Switzerland, a place where the breathtaking scenery shaped a nation not just a tour itinerary, and where tradition is as important as technology. It's also the story of its people, who have more power than their politicians, but can't speak to one another in the same language - and who own more guns per head than the people of Iraq. As for those national stereotypes, well, not all the cheese has holes, cuckoo clocks aren't Swiss and the trains don't always run exactly on time.

I've not read the book yet, but I heard an interview with him on Radio 4 Woman's Hour - it sounded like his view of Swiss life is slightly different from some of the other books I've read.

That's interesting - in what way?

I heard him the Radio 4 Excess Baggage podcast, which is probably still available. I thought in general he reflected a view of life limited by his own urban experience in a German speaking city which I didn't recognize living in French speaking rural Switzerland. Which is all very well but I see limits of my perspective so I won't be writing a book about Swiss life

I read the reviews on amazon - everyone seems to like the book - What facinates me is the reference that the reviews make about red shoes - Will have to read & find out

I actually met the author, he was working last year (perhaps still) in Stauffacher (sp?) in Bern.
I was looking for a book just like Katie Fox's "Watching the English", all I could see were like the Xenophobic guide to Switzerland, and the little etiquette manuals. He pointed me towards "Ticking along with the Swiss", which was quite enjoyable (if a little dated), but not as much fun as his promises to be.
He said "come back next summer", and yes I will!

I am on page 79 and he has already explained the strength of Protestantism in Geneva and what led up to Calvinism.

You should start surveying Swiss shoes!

A friend of mine tells me he is an important employee in the Stauffacher Bookshop.
I think this is much more informative than "Ticking along with the Swiss"

You are right, he is. Very helpful and knowledgeable, he spent a few minutes advising me about ẃhat to get before even mentioning that he was writing just the book I was looking for.

I'm sorry, I'm struggling to make a connection between that and my post that you quoted. Can you join the dots for me?

I am trying to explain that his book is not in any way limited to German speaking towns, he explains the history and the customs and culture of all of Switzerland.

Hey! Do you think he's a member of the forum? That would be awesome!

You never know? There are a few who seem to know it all here.

OMG are you Tina Turner?

Yes, was it the wig, high heels or the copious amounts of lipstick that gave me away?

Dude, I may have been looking at you but I were talking to him!

I may be 'Simply The Best' but being Tina turner is a step too far

I have been likened to Phil Collins occasionally but I think that is only our common lack of hair.

I've noticed the red shoes...perhaps because I am a fan of red shoes myself.

Uh, I saw this book in english Orel Füssli on Bahnhofstrasse a few days ago. Somehow I misread the title. "A book about swiss watches? Meh."

Now I wonder whether I should test their online shop and buy it.

I ordered mine in Story world and it costs only 21chf with free delivery. :-)

http://www.storyworld.ch/suchen/Doma...ss%20watching/

Only £7.74 on Amazon including UK delivery. (Approx. CHF 12.00)
That is a big differnce in the price.