Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk and Money

The author is a journalist and travel writer who was given the opportunity to move to Switzerland and learn about the country and its people. His book covers everything from chocolate and cheese, to politics, history, and ettiquette. It isn't a guide for living in Switzerland only - it is for anyone who is interested in traveling to Switzerland or just learning about the country. He gives a light, whimsical telling that I think anyone would enjoy. I learned quite a bit about the country I still haven't picked up even living here. I knew a lot of it, but the ins and outs of the government, or some of the back history of the country was new to me. I have loved living in Switzerland, and it is always great to read a book from an expats point of view. I agreed with much of what he said - that the Swiss really do run on time 99% of the time, they are formal and quiet, but they are also kind. I encourage you to read this one. I am, of course, bias becuase I do love Switzerland and have loved living here. You really will learn a lot about one of the richest countries in the world.

The author (a Brit) gives the reader an interesting and entertaining perspective about living in Switzerland. The book includes a brief overview of Swiss history, and also humorous but informative commentary on various behaviors by the Swiss people. This is not a guidebook, but would be helpful to anyone planning to visit Switzerland. Although a small state, Switzerland has a rich and complex history, four languages, a famous version of direct democracy, world class scenery, and much more. As someone who has been to this beautiful country, I greatly enjoyed reading this book, and highly recommend it.

I loved this book! My husband and I lived in Switzerland for 3 years, and this book helped me understand so much about this country-like-no-other. From history to politics to social norms and more, Bewes does a fabulous job enlightening the reader in a fun and entertaining way. Thank you and bravo!! ❤️🇨🇭🏔️

I originally started SWISS WATCHING: INSIDE THE LAND OF MILK AND MONKEY before my first trip to Switzerland. Finishing it post-trip has been a nice way to process and appreciate my experience. Author Diccon Bewes is a queer British expat turned resident of Switzerland & naturalized citizen. The book is focused primarily on modern Switzerland, with Bewes talking about everything from Swiss democracy & federalism, the banking, watch, and chocolate industries, to beloved literary icon Heidi (spoiler: she might not be as Swiss as you think). Bewes' writing is insightful and humorous in that oh-so cheeky British way, but his affection for Swiss cultural history and its people is what anchors this read. Strongly recommend! 🇨🇭

The book is based on the author's life in Switzerland and we'll get a sneak peek into the country through his experiences. The first few chapters are a bit annoying to read through. He appears to have an air of sucking up to the Swiss, which makes it sounds as if doing things in a Swiss way makes you God. His writing makes him sound really submissive to the culture. Eventually, you'll realize that he just likes Switzerland. After all, he lives in Switzerland for quite some time (and we picked up the book because we are more or less interested in the country too). You'll have to bear with him for his ostensible submissiveness for the first few chapters. Once you get used to his writing, his wicked sense of humor will keep you entertained througout. While all these facts mentioned in the book are enjoyable to learn, there is barely any exposition of the reason behind them. The Swiss are reserved, private, punctual, neutral and democratic and there are chock-full of examples to show those qualities of theirs throughout the book. And these examples are very convincing as they are based on the experiences of an expat. But then there is hardly any explanation or speculation on why. Take punctuality for example. The author states that the trains run on time even in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, in stark contrast to nothern Italy right across the border. Sure, it is interesting to know that but what is it that makes the Swiss so punctual? Apparently, it has nothing to do with the language because they share the same one to the south of the border. The same lack of reasoning applies to almost everything examined in the book. Why are they so private? Neutral? Democratic? I still have no clue after I finished the book, which is disappointing. I thought I would gain at least some idea of why the Swiss act the way they do. For that I have to say the book is shallow and scratches only the surface of Swiss mindset, eloquently but nonetheless superficially. You might want to read the conclusion first if you have never been to the country before. The conclusion explains the typical Swiss family life, which I think should be in the introduction. Everything sounded rather vague and fictional until I reach the conclusion segment. Other than that, you don't want skip any chapter because each chapter builds on the previous one. A little caveat is that the author is British. When he makes a comparison between Switzerland and another country, that another country is almost always the UK. Any references he makes is therefore not familiar to the US readers. In fact, with Switzerland being a collection of independent cantons, I think it would be interesting to compare the country to the United States, which is also a collection of rather independent states. But then, unlike the US, there is no single conspicuous figure like the President of the United States in Switzerland and no presidential election shenanigans like we are having right now, according to the author. I'm guessing US/Switzerland comparison would be quite intriguing. Overall, an interesting but not substantial collection of what's without explanations of why's.

An interesting account of the culture of Switzerland. Covers customs, government, commerce, and regions. Written by an American expat.

We were in Switzerland while reading the book on our iPads. Made the trip more interesting and valuable in many ways. Have been to the country many times before, even lived there as a child, but almost everything in the book was either new information or a touching reminder of past experiences and perceptions. The writer's unique style makes it easy to keep going. Lots of laughs! I don't believe another book like this exists. Even if you don't have a trip to Switzerland planned, read the book anyway, just in case. And to impress your friends. Lots of history and "insider" info here, but so much contemporary lore that after reading this book Switzerland seem like the best place in the world. Go often, stay long.

Educational and hilarious compilation of Switzerland's many wonderful quirks, told with love by an expat. I bought the book after returning from a vacation Switzerland, which piqued my curiosity about everything Swiss. This is a great read for anyone who plans to go or has been to Switzerland. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of visiting Switzerland, the excellent hand-drawn maps throughout the book give great context for your trip. If you have been to Switzerland, this book will make you want to go back and visit all 26 cantons, taking same trips as the author to cheese making facilities, chocolate factories, and so many more iconically Swiss attractions. I loved the writer's wry, witty, and highly descriptive story-telling.

We have just returned from a wonderful holiday in Interlaken (Aug14), lots to see and do.Our Inghams rep Alistair recommended this book; he said even though he had worked in Switzerland for seven years, he had learnt a lot about Swiss culture from this book. Dicon Bewes writing style is easy reading with humour mixed in with serious facts, like you never get a tatty bank note in your change! My son is living in Switzerland married to a Swiss Italian, we are always surprised how she casually leaves things lying around in vulnerable public places, but now I understand that they are very unlikely to be stolen. There is a really good section that explains the complex structures of the Cantons and democracy in Switzerland. A great browse read for anyone who is interested in what is probably the best country to live in and visit. One English person we were talking to said ' Once you have been to Switzerland for a holiday you have been to the best country in Europe nowhere else compares favourably' (he had been every year for last twenty years).

This is a very helpful and challenging book for people not too shy to look into a mirror in order to find out something more about them. When reading this book we got aware of many facts which we have been considering as self-evident at least for us who were born in Switzerland. (E.g.: voting on nearly everything, different languages, public transportation system, etc.) We learn about our habits, traditions and the different ways of life in the more or less segregated parts of our country. We have to admire the knowledge’s of the British author about the function of our old democracy consisting of the citizens, their government and parliament. And we can learn a lot. The author is a gentleman in teaching. He is witty and always respectful. The book is a very suitable tool especially for English conversation classes, since it covers many topics. Each topic is a challenge to deal with in order to find out the different opinions and feelings from foreigners and people grown up in Switzerland. Of course, whenever possible we should try to read the book in English, since the typical British humour needs to apply English.

Un libro sobre Suiza y su gente desde un punto de vista diferente y divertido ya que no es una guía de viajes. Muy ameno de leer. También está traducido en francés y alemán.

Assolutamente interessante la visione della Svizzera da una persona di origine inglese. La Svizzera si è rivelata talmente interessante anche per l’autore che ha deciso di diventarne cittadino. Ben scritto ed estremamente divertente, è decisamente consigliabile.

One of the best books I have read, and could relate to most of the aspects.