How to be Irish Uncovering the curiosities of Irish behaviour

Many books about Ireland and the Irish take a superficial view of the country, emphasizing only tourist experiences and bordering on the patronizing. This book is very different. While its tongue-in-cheek title promises the impossible-how to become another nationality-what's inside is actually a picking apart of Irishness that's best enjoyed by Irish people, those who have spent a lot of time in the country, or foreigners who live in Ireland, called "blow-ins," the author reveals, no matter how long they've been there. Slattery's background as a social anthropologist combined with his insider view allows for a marvelous, faux-academic examination of Irish habits and life generally. As well as learning tidbits about social anthropology, readers will note "The Rules of Having an Irish Baby," how to survive an Irish winter (e.g., "if you have heating, don't go out"), and how to determine their status at funerals (e.g., "A-list mourners are those who are genuinely bereaved...). -VERDICT The title's accuracy and authenticity is appreciated; its humor is a bonus. Suitable for public library collections where patrons enjoy quirky humor or for travel collections that seek to be comprehensive.-Henrietta Thornton-Verma, Library Journal (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.