True Brits - A Tour Of Twenty-first Century Britain In All Its Bog-snorkell

When J.R. Daeschner first witnessed cheese rolling, he was astounded. As an American who had lived in the UK for years, he knew the British did some odd things. However, nothing could have prepared him for the sight of men - and women - flinging themselves off a grassy cliff in pursuit of a cheese. He soon discovered that Britain has scores of seemingly lunatic acts enshrined as traditions: events with strange names like gurning, shin kicking, horn dancing and faggot cutting. ""True Brits"" is the hilarious account of JR"'s trek around England, Scotland and Wales, as well as a bit of Northern Ireland in London"'s backyard. From ""Darkie Day"" on New Year"'s Day to the English summer ""Olimpicks"" and Pope Burning on Bonfire Night, JR uncovers the people and places that make Britain great - and at times, not so great. In his quest to find out why ordinary people do such extraordinary things, JR talks to countless characters, catches them in action and even takes part in the events himself. Along the way, he discovers that many of these ancient pastimes provide insights into 21st- century Britain, including football, francophilia, Page Three girls and Sellafield.