Not Like Home: American Visitors to Britain in the 1950s (Volume 1) (McGill-Queen's Transatlantic Studies)

An intriguing account of American tourists and students in Britain during the 1950s and the influence, expectations, and realities of transatlantic encounters. An intriguing account of American tourists and students in Britain during the 1950s and the influence, expectations, and realities of transatlantic encounters. "In the decade of economic expansion following the Second World War, many ordinary Americans travelled abroad for the first time. Those who visited Britain were surprised to find that the people they encountered were not the aristocrats or working-class ciphers they knew from Hollywood movies. Britons' views of Americans were likewise informed by films and by encounters with the American military during the war. Based on over thirty personal accounts of Americans travelling to Britain in the 1950s, Not Like Home examines how direct contact influenced the relationships between these two groups and their attitudes towards each other. Michael John Law explains that prejudice on both sides was replaced by the realities of direct encounters. Painting an evocative portrait of Britain in the 1950s as seen through the eyes of outsiders, Law depicts the characteristics and practices of these American visitors and compares them to their caricatures in British newspapers and magazines. Going to Britain was a transformative experience for most American visitors, providing a link to a shared history and culture. In turn, their arrival influenced British life by providing a reality check on Hollywood's portrayal of American life and through their demands for higher standards in Britain's hotels, restaurants and trains. Through an engaging narrative incorporating unpublished and obscure reports of American visits to Britain, Not Like Home describes the exciting and sometimes confounding mid-century encounters between two very different cultures."-- Provided by publisher In the decade of economic expansion following the Second World War, many ordinary Americans travelled abroad for the first time. Those who visited Britain were surprised to find that the people they encountered were not the aristocrats or working-class ciphers they knew from Hollywood movies. Britons' views of Americans were likewise informed by films and by encounters with the American military during the war. 0Based on over thirty personal accounts of Americans travelling to Britain in the 1950s, 'Not Like Home' examines how direct contact influenced the relationships between these two groups and their attitudes towards each other. Michael John Law explains that prejudice on both sides was replaced by the realities of direct encounters. Painting an evocative portrait of Britain in the 1950s as seen through the eyes of outsiders, Law depicts the characteristics and practices of these American visitors and compares them to their caricatures in British newspapers and magazines. Going to Britain was a transformative experience for most American visitors, providing a link to a shared history and culture. In turn, their arrival influenced British life by providing a reality check on Hollywood's portrayal of American life and through their demands for higher standards in Britain's hotels, restaurants, and trains. 0Through an engaging narrative incorporating unpublished reports of American visits to Britain, 'Not Like Home' describes the exciting and sometimes confounding mid-century encounters between two very different cultures Cover NOT LIKE HOME Title Copyright Dedication Contents Tables and Figures Abbreviations 1 Introduction: Americans and Britons 2 Archetypes and Representations 3 Demographics of American Visitors 4 Selling Britain’s Heritage and History 5 Crossing the Atlantic 6 Destinations and Travelling in Britain 7 Accommodating American Visitors 8 Encountering the British – USAF Families 9 Encountering the British – Trip Reporters 10 Asymmetry and Ambiguity Appendices Notes Bibliography Index