One interesting anecdote in the book is when Bawer stayed at a remote country hotel - in Norway, I think - and later wrote a hotel revue blasting the landlord for his rudeness. So the landlord fabricated a story that Bawer had obnoxiously demanded a Big Mac at this remote hotel, and wouldn't take no for answer. There wasn't a McDonald's within 30 miles of the place, but the story stuck, no one checked it out. The European press picked up this story of alleged American arrogance and chauvinism and bad taste, and ran with it for a week. The landlord became a celebrity. And the whole story was false.
You mean someone lied to the press??!! Shocking
Another fake but accurate report. They all know that Americans are like that, whether the particular anecdote is correct or not. So the story transcends the normal boundaries of fact and becomes the embodiment of truth.