Brit-myth

The world sees Britain through the antics ofMonty Python's Flying Circus, the stiff-lipped, painfully class-conscious societies depicted inGosfordParkandRemains of the Day, and the scathing diatribes ofAmerican Idol's Simon Cowell. The images being projected from the island nation of England are so disparate these days that it's hard to know what to think of the British. Chris Rojek explores this dilemma, looking at the myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes of the British. Drawing upon a wide range of sources in pop culture, politics, art, and history, Rojek examines how Britons are viewed both at home and abroad. FromAustin Powersto King Arthur and Albion, and fromBig Brotherto international opinion polls, Rojek investigates what it means to be British in a globalized, multicultural world.Brit-Mythdeftly avoids extreme nationalism or abstract scholarship, offering a new conception of Britishness that transcends race and emphasizes the integral role of individualism and nonconformity in British identity. Full of thought-provoking insights and engaging anecdotes,Brit-Mythwill entertain both Anglophiles and those who want to learn more about the land under the Union Jack.

Chris Rojek is professor of sociology and culture at Brunel University. He is also the author of Celebrity.