That image of the countryside being a threatening place still exists. People continue to resist the challenge of learning about aspects of life they don't understand.

I spent a little time in Germany as a schoolboy learning German and it's a country I knew very well spent a lot of time in. I knew the history very well. I've always wanted to do a piece of work about the post-war period of one sort or another.

I've seen a lot of the United States having stayed in so many different cities and towns for work. It's such a strange and fascinating country and instead of learning about it through a textbook I would rather discover its history and traditions and institutions through fiction and nonfiction writers.

I opened my own restaurant when I was 17. I went broke then traveled around the country learning about different kinds of foods had three other restaurants that went broke. It didn't all start just a few years ago!

The country remains dependent on oil. But as we are now learning oil is becoming increasingly scarce.

After learning the language and culture of the Chinese people these Jesuits began to establish contacts with the young intellectuals of the country.

I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world considering us as a civilized and a Christian country that we deny the advantages of learning to women.

Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country.

In terms of the principles of politics I think I understand well. Thailand needs someone who has leadership who has the management skills to help the country.

Whether it was his ability to turn around the Massachusetts economy or turn around businesses in the private sector Mitt Romney has demonstrated the leadership that we need in the White House to get the country on the right track.