本书是为成人自学考试英语专业应试者、一般自学英语者及大专一、二年级学生编写的教科书。全书分为英国文化和美国文化两大部分。分别介绍了英美两国的民族特点、地理环境、历史发展、政府制度、经济、文学、宗教信仰、风俗习惯、教育、家庭生活、福利制度、新闻媒介、节日活动、种族关系及社会问题等。本书尽量选用内容丰富、涉及面广的客观介绍文章，以扩大读者的知识面。其中大部分文章都为简易原著材料。

Part One: British Culture

 1.Who Are the British?

 2.English History

 3.Which English?

 4.British Government System

 5.Industry, Agriculture and Business

 6.English Literature

 7.Religion and Beliefs

 8.Character and Manners

 9.Education

 10.The Welfare State

 11.The Press, Radio and Television

 12.The Commonwealth

Part Two: American Culture

 1.Atlantic to Pacific

 2.American History

 3.The Forms of Government

 4.American Literature

 5.Religion

 6.The American Character

 7.American Education

 8.American Family Life

 9.Thanksgiving and Christmas

 10.Race and Ethnic Relations

 11.Social Problems in the United States