Favorite books in English about Switzerland? - Page 2

Crumbs · #21 25.10.2010, 20:56

Once upon an Alp and Lend me your Alphorn come to mind and didn't know an awful lot about Switzerland. By Eugene V. Epstein. They're ancient, but I have fond memories of reading these cliché anecdotes when I was (a lot) younger

Caroline · #22 25.10.2010, 21:23

	Quote:	igirlzoe
	The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss by Paul N. Bilton

Brilliant read!

Aussie Lisa · #23 25.10.2010, 22:13

The Xenophobes Guide to the Swiss is really, really funny ... and clever. A must read. Paul Bilton is the author. Lisa

Megmeister1 · #24 26.10.2010, 12:48

	Quote:	RecentlyArrived
	I'm looking for recommended books that are either about Switzerland or set here - other than guidebooks. I started reading Beyond Chocolate but had to return it, so that is on my list, as is Living and Working in Switzerland. I'm looking for books that enhance my understanding of the country that are not aimed specifically at expats or travelers. For example, when I visited England, I enjoyed reading biographies of Elizabeth the Great, histories of various periods, and Mists of Avalon. So, what I am looking for now are books about Switzerland - in English - that are either well-written fiction or non-fiction. If non-fiction, I prefer something that isn't so dense that it instantly puts me to sleep. I found the Essential Books thread and will definitely get a copy of 'A Visit From Voltaire', by Dinah Lee Küng. What else do people recommend? Any readable biographies or histories? Is there anything good about the geology, maybe similar to some of John McPhee's books? Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

"Once upon an Alp" by Eugene Epstein is a good one for short stories & little Swiss idiosyncrasies.

And one of my favorites - "The Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann. It's set in Davos during the sanatorium days.

Midas · #25 26.10.2010, 13:12

This is a good idea for a thread. Maybe there are also movie suggestions?

I tried watching the euphemistically titled movie "A Short Stay in Switzerland" (it is about a woman who comes here for the purposes of Euthanasia). Did not enjoy it, ended up fast forwarding most of the movie and only watched the shots filmed on location in central Zürich (because it is interesting to see my home town in film).

There are also various documentaries on National Geographic, Discovery Channel etc about the Alps, tunnelling etc. The one I saw about the alps was pretty terrifying, the errosion can result in sudden torrents of rocks cascading down rivers.

Natasha · #26 26.10.2010, 13:24

	Quote:	igirlzoe
	The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss by Paul N. Bilton ***

Yes, this one is brilliant.

robertone · #27 26.10.2010, 13:37

The Xenophobe's Guide

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xenophobes-G.../dp/1902825454

a lot of fun and everything is true!!!!

Dougal's Breakfast · #28 26.10.2010, 20:01

	Quote:	Caroline
	Brilliant read!

	Quote:	Aussie Lisa
	The Xenophobes Guide to the Swiss is really, really funny ... and clever. A must read. Paul Bilton is the author. Lisa

	Quote:	Natasha
	Yes, this one is brilliant.

	Quote:	robertone
	The Xenophobe's Guide http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xenophobes-G.../dp/1902825454 a lot of fun and everything is true!!!!

Bunch of sycophants, the lot of you!

(Mind, it is brilliant...)