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Rating: 
Summary: A Good Read!
Review: Gary Althen's richly detailed guide shines a psychological, cultural and sociological spotlight on American customs, values, attitudes and behavior. Organized into 22 chapters that cover just about every aspect of American life, the book hits you with its uncanny insight, accuracy and honesty. Although he doesn't completely avoid stereotyping (and doesn't seem at all bothered by it), Althen presents the good, the bad and the quirky. He explains the "why" behind American attitudes and manners. Even though this is a guide for foreigners visiting, doing business in or living in the United States, we from getAbstract also suggest this book to Americans. It's an eye-opener about the national personality, or the perceived national personality, from naïvete to individualism. As Scotsman Robert Burns wrote, "Oh wad some power the giftie gie us, to see oursels as others see us." Well, here's your chance.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: I found this book to be a real disappointment. This book does nothing to celebrate the diversity that exists in America. When reading it I have a sense that America is a country where all of the values are uniform and everything is done the same way. The author paints a very unrealistic and boring picture of the US.
Rating: 
Summary: Practical insights into American culture
Review: In clear language and with numerous examples. Althen describes the basic characteristics of American culture (values, style of communication, patterns of thinking, customary behaviors) and underlines how they are different from the ways of other cultures. He then shows how these characteristics are reflected in the many aspects of American life which the foreigner encounters (including politics, social relations, personal hygiene, public behavior, studying, business, etc). He also offers concrete suggestions on how to learn more about American culture and how to respond most effectively to the Americans one meets.
AMERICAN WAYS can be used as a text in orientation programs for foreign personnel and is especially attractive to ESL teachers looking for a book that provides foreign students and professionals with substantive insights into American behavior and yet is written in a lucid, simple style as free of ethnocentric bias as an experienced foreign student adviser can make it.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: Some people do not understand the beauty of American Ways. They think that it merely depicts stories. The actual wonderful thing about this book is that it deals with stereotypes. Almost all of us, regardless of country, have certain pre-conceived notions regarding others. American Ways directly addresses foreigners stereotypes of Americans. The book is even bold enough to agree with the stereotypes at times. However, it typically dispels and explains the reasons for those stereotypes. This makes for a much richer understanding of aspects particular to American culture. Having previously taught English as a foreign language in China, I think that this book alone could inspire countless classroom discussions on a variety of aspects regarding Americans.
Rating:
Summary: A Jem of a Book!
Review: Some people do not understand the beauty of American Ways. They think that it merely depicts stories. The actual wonderful thing about this book is that it deals with stereotypes. Almost all of us, regardless of country, have certain pre-conceived notions regarding others. American Ways directly addresses foreigners stereotypes of Americans. The book is even bold enough to agree with the stereotypes at times. However, it typically dispels and explains the reasons for those stereotypes. This makes for a much richer understanding of aspects particular to American culture. Having previously taught English as a foreign language in China, I think that this book alone could inspire countless classroom discussions on a variety of aspects regarding Americans.
Rating:
Summary: Self centered
Review: The author of this book writes exactly the way foreigners see Americans: arrogant, ignorant, self centered, patriotic and thinking that Americans are better than everybody else. This book is definitely no use for intercultural issues. And, with all due respect, the most idiotic chapter is chapter 19 - ....American executives are likely to be tall..... Pleeeeeaaase ! Sorry, but I will never ever use this book in my intercultural seminars for foreigners moving to the US. I am wondering if the author (even though it is written in the book) has ever left his country ? Being a foreigner myself and having made my experience with Americans 'the hard way' I can only shake my head about this book.
Rating:
Summary: Self centered
Review: The author of this book writes exactly the way foreigners see Americans: arrogant, ignorant, self centered, patriotic and thinking that Americans are better than everybody else. This book is definitely no use for intercultural issues. And, with all due respect, the most idiotic chapter is chapter 19 - ....American executives are likely to be tall..... Pleeeeeaaase ! Sorry, but I will never ever use this book in my intercultural seminars for foreigners moving to the US. I am wondering if the author (even though it is written in the book) has ever left his country ? Being a foreigner myself and having made my experience with Americans 'the hard way' I can only shake my head about this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Full of American Stereotypes
Review: There is very little usefull information in this book. It plays on all of the stereotypes about Americans.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book if you are foreigner!
Review: This is an excellent book for anyone who is new to this wonderful country or even for those who have been here for some time. It was great to actually get certain things about American lifestyles described enough to clearly differentiate foreigners from Americans. Having lived outside the US for many years, I would have to agree with about 90% of this book. Also, having recently become a US citizen, I would HIGHLY encourage this book to become part of the distribution packet given to all new US Citizens. The descriptions relating to child raising, materialism, religion, confrontation avoidance, and general family life are right on target. Buy this book if you are foreigner! Thanks, Fabian.
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