To be Franc

Focuses on the main bones of contention - from philosophy and war to language and sexual deviance. This title points out that by the time we'd developed our famous justice system the French were still putting animals on trial and that in France's golden military age, the eighteenth century, we won 39 out of 45 of all battles fought between us.

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Even though we've been at each other's throats for hundreds of years, we still love nothing better than having a good go at our frog-legged friends across the Channel. Here, acerbic satirist and dedicated Francophile Simon Carr casts his sympathetic yet determined eye over the main bones of contention - from philosophy and war to language and sexual deviance. Without ever resorting to cheap tricks or playground tactics, Carr elegantly points out that by the time we'd developed our famous justice system the French were still putting animals on trial; that in France's golden military age, the eighteenth century, we won 39 out of 45 of all battles fought between us; and, that the world's language, English, has more words, nuance and flexibility than French, the language of philosophy, could ever begin to express. In short, when it comes down to it, we win against the French on almost every score. For anyone looking for an unbeatable arsenal of ammunition to use against our supercilious neighbours - on holiday, while renovating a farmhouse or round the dinner table - or just a jolly good laugh at their expense, this is the book.
Praise for "The Boys Are Back in Town": 'Achingly funny and almost unbearably moving' - "Daily Mail". 'Carr's brilliantly written account of life as a single parent should become a required manual on parenting' - "The Sunday Times". 'Both men and women need his confident, politically incorrect but thoroughly realistic assertions' - "Independent".