本书旨在提高中小学英语教师对英语国家文化与国情的了解。主要包括几个主要的英语国家的社会、历史、地理、政治、经济、文化等的概况，通过学习进一步提高在岗教师的对所教语言国家的了解，从而可以进一步提高教学质量。

本册为《读懂美国一本就够了》，由黄建滨主编。

I. Geography and People 1

 1.1 The Land 2

 1.2 The People 9

1.2.1 The "Melting Pot" 9

1.2.2 Population and Settlement 11

1.2.3 Religion 13

II. History 16

 2.1 America in the Colonial Era 16

 2.2 The War of Independence 18

 2.3 The Civil War 20

 2.4 America in the 20th Century 22

 2.5 America in the 21st Century 31

III. Government, Congress and Legal System 34

 3.1 Constitution 34

 3.2 Government 36

3.2.1 The Legislature 37

3.2.2 The Executive 39

3.2.3 Political Parties 42

3.2.4 Election 44

 3.3 The Legal System 47

3.3.1 The Court Structure 47

3.3.2 Criminal Law, Civil Law, and Court Proceedings 51

IV. Society and Economy 55

 4.1 Society 55

4.1.1 Social Security 55

4.1.2 Welfare Program 57

4.1.3 Voluntary Services 60

4.1.4 Health Care Services 64

4.1.5 Housing 68

4.1.6 Religion 72

 4.2 Economy 77

4.2.1 A Historical Perspective 78

4.2.2 Agriculture Industry and Service Agriculture 85

4.2.3 Industry and Manufacturing 87

4.2.4 Service Industries 88

4.2.5 Labor and Labor Union 90

V. Culture and Education 96

 5.1 Culture 96

 5.2 Forces That Shaped American Culture 99

5.2.1 Imported Traditions 99

5.2.2 The Emergence of an American Voice 101

5.2.3 Immigration and Diversity 103

5.2.4 Development of Mass Media 106

5.2.5 The Impact of Consumerism 108

 5.3 Ways of Life 109

5.3.1 Living Patterns 109

5.3.2 Food and Cuisine 115

5.3.3 Dress 122

5.3.4 Sports and Recreation 125

5.3.5 Arts 133

5.3.6 Literature 141

5.3.7 Music 149

 5.4 Libraries and Museums 153

5.4.1 Libraries 153

5.4.2 Museums 157

 5.5 Education 161

5.5.1 Elementary and Secondary Education 161

5.5.2 Higher Education 165

5.5.3 Goals and Purposes of Education 169

VI. Characteristics of Its English 174

 6.1 Phonology 175

 6.2 Vocabulary 179

 6.3 Morphology 186

 6.4 English Words That Survived in the United States 188

 6.5 Regional Differences of American English 190

VII. Customs and Holidays 193

 7.1 Customs 193

7.1.1 Meeting Someone 193

7.1.2 Speaking on the Telephone 194

7.1.3 Eating Out 194

7.1.4 Tipping 195

7.1.5 Smoking 196

7.1.6 Alcohol Laws 197

7.1.7 Illicit Drugs 198

7.1.8 Pets 198

7.1.9 Sexuality 199

7.1.10 Things toAvoid (general) 200

 7.2 Holidays and Special Days 203

7.2.1 New Year's Day 206

7.2.2 Epiphany 207

7.2.3 Martin Luther King Day 207

7.2.4 Groundhog Day-- 2nd February 209

7.2.5 Lincoln's Birthday-- 12th February 210

7.2.6 Shrove Tuesday 210

7.2.7 Ash Wednesday 211

7.2.8 Valentine's Day -- February 14 211

7.2.9 Washington's Birthday / Presidents' Day 212

7.2.10 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) -- February 213

7.2.11 Saint Patrick's Day-- March 17 213

7.2.12 Easter 215

7.2.13 Palm Sunday 215

7.2.14 Good Friday -- The Friday Before Easter 216

7.2.15 Secretaries Day 216

7.2.16 Mother's Day 217

7.2.17 Memorial Day 217

7.2.18 Father's Day 219

7.2.19 Independence Day 219

7.2.20 Labor Day 220

7.2.21 Halloween 222

7.2.22 Veteran's Day 222

7.2.23 Thanksgiving 223

7.2.24 Christmas 223

References 225

Postscript 226