Explaining all that is bewildering and befuddling about the fascinating country and its inhabitants, this guide considers all the characteristics and quirks that define England. From custard and Shakespeare to fog and cricket, the handbook casts a fond eye over those things that make the English so very English, exploring common customs, fashion, and tourist favorites along with places off the beaten path. National treasures and national embarrassments are highlighted as well as the ''Ten Commandments of Being English,'' food, sports, and history. From Ackenthwaite in Cumbria to Bottoms in Cornwall, this wittily illustrated companion is the perfect gift for confounded visitors, puzzled natives, bookish bed and breakfasts, and the bathroom library.