Don't be afraid of America

I live in Massachusetts since 1996, working as researcher in the field of analytical chemistry. Over the years I wrote chapters for Czech journal INTERKOM, comparing American and Czech way of life. These humorous essays were collected in a book entitled „Nebojte se Ameriky“ („Don’t be afraid of America“) and printed by publishing house JALNA in 2010. Because the book is in Czech language, I translated few quotes and one chapter into English for my US friends. Enjoy!

Annotation on back cover:

What happens when you pack up your suitcase, diploma, and move one day to USA? How to face the challenges of new life, how to find job, how do you make smores on a stick instead of traditional Czech sausages, and how to bring up your children as Czechs, while they are saluting their flag with stars and stripes? Author answers these questions with hint of sarcasm and a great dose of humor.

The book describes pros and cons of personal and professional life in USA versus Czech Republic, advantages and disadvantages of American steaks, tripe soup, corrects the myths about natural learning of English due to total immersion and documents weirdness of American toilets. The reader will learn about the habits that will surprise him in USA instantaneously and which after many years of living. And also finds answers to the questions what is better: proportional or enormous portion of ice cream? Ocean and sailing or mushroom picking and walking in the forest? National pride or career in USA? An average American university or prestigious institute of Academy of science of Czech Republic? Who will history rank better: president Klaus, or G.W. Bush? Is it better to be a superpower with a noose of war around a neck, or peace lowing small state abused by all its neighbors? You will also learn what Czech immigrant in USA misses: sidewalks, Jára Cimrman, beer with foam and taste, sarcasm, and, strangely, Czech health care system. The book contains many illustrative photos and tips for tourists or potential immigrants. Contemplations on gains and losses of return to homeland will be crowned by revelation, who is going to be the next American president.

You can find table of content and synopsis here. 

Chapter eight translated to English is here.

232 pages, about one hundred photos
ISBN 978-80-86396-57-6
EAN 9 788086 396576
Distribution: Kosmas, s. r. o.;  https://www.kosmas.cz/hledani/?query=martin+gilar