Having studied in Paris and London, writing in both languages for the French and British press, Agnes Catherine Poirier plays with national stereotypes - which are both stupid and dangerous - with dexterity and savoir faire. She goes beneath the surface to explain why France and Britain keep arguing and competing endlessly, why they are so different and why they do things in almost opposite ways.

Covering the worlds of art, politics, food, institutions, sex, history, media, society and philosophy, she tells us as much about us as why the French are a part.