How to be a Brit

George Mikes (pronounced 'me-cash'), was born in Hungary 1912. In 1938 he moved to London to become the correspondent for a Hungarian newspaper, and then he never left. A keen observer of the behaviour and misbehaviour of foreigners and natives in Britain, he is frequently cited by later authors including Kate Fox and Jeremy Paxman. He died in London in 1987.

In all the miseries which plague mankind, there is hardly anything better than such radiant humour as is given to you. Everyone must laugh with you - even those who are hit with your little arrows.
An instant classic
Very funny
Bill Bryson is George Mikes' love-child
This is the vital textbook for Brits, would-be Brits, and anyone who wonders what being a Brit really means. Pass me my hot water bottle, please
Wise and witty
Brilliantly comical
Mikes is a master of the laconic yet slippery put-down: "The trouble with tea is that originally it was quite a good drink"
I love it and read it cover to cover. Also has good tips for talking about the weather, not that we need them
Full of the very best advice that any would-be Brit should need (and for those of us who have forgotten exactly how it is to be ourselves) it's a jolly good read
How to be an Alien inspired me ... Some of his observations remain remarkably fresh and relevant 70 years later, but it's his tone that impressed me
I used to think that Mikes's world has gone, but it has returned to us in spades via the referendum.