The London-born author considers, with a critical eye, certain national traits and customs, at times with humour and always with affection; he also makes provocative suggestions as to why we behave as we do. More particularly he asks, and tries to answer, certain questions, such as: What is the English attitude to food? What do they think of feminism? Have they any view on whether the Empire was a good thing or not? Are the English eccentric? Are they racist? Are they hypocrites? Where is the country going? He also reviews the sexual and social consequences for the country of the so-called 'Swinging Sixties'. Topics are treated in comparatively short chapters, thus facilitating reference. The reader might be surprised by some of the conclusions reached - since not all the observations are flattering - and might well disagree with many of them. Despite the more obvious signs of an aging civilisation, the English do not emerge too badly in the overall picture.