German: How to Speak and Write It (Dover Dual Language German) [Paperback]

Joseph Rosenberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0486202712 | ISBN-13: 978-0486202716 | Publication Date: June 1, 1967 | Edition: 2nd

Filled with dialogues, grammar and idiom studies, and practical exercises, this is probably the most delightful, useful, and comprehensive elementary book available for learning spoken and written German. In addition, the book features 28 sketches of specific scenes with pertinent items numbered and identified in both German and English. Includes 330 photographs and illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 2nd edition (June 1, 1967)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486202712
• ISBN-13: 978-0486202716
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 155 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best I've seen!, April 17, 2002

By 

Ms. Packer Fan (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: German: How to Speak and Write It (Dover Dual Language German) (Paperback)

What all the other 5-star reviewers say is true! I am an American who learned German as a second language starting in college, and continuing into time spent studying and working abroad. Back at home now, I am ever interested in, and conscious of, the need to keep up my language skills, and am always scanning German language books and aids. Although this book is meant for a beginner, I couldn't pass it up. It is chock full of approximately 1950's era, quaint illustrations and drawings (all much more helpful, somehow, than modern books' attempt to be "hip"). The illustrations all tie in closely with the readings, and make it easy to stay interested. There is such a variety of different excercises, amusing stories, interesting facts, maps, etc., that it is a pleasure to pick up the book each time. Take it from someone who has been comparing German language learning aids for years - this one is hard to beat!

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars newer definitely dosn't mean better, April 24, 2005

By 

Lake Waters (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: German: How to Speak and Write It (Dover Dual Language German) (Paperback)

I have to also agree with most everyone else who thinks this book is great. I've looked at just about every self-teaching book out there and this is one of my two favorites.

Positive:

It offers a lot of simple exercises that force you into thinking 'in German'; the questions are quite easy and build up in difficulty slowly over time. Their repetitive nature makes for great learning with instantaneous feedback.

The pictures/drawings are also nicely done, far from new and probably very dated as far as whats going on in Germany but very good at getting you to remember the word or concept. I think the dated look to the drawings actually helps in that they look so no-nonsense... like old textbooks that you may have used before the age of illustrations having to look comical or politically correct.

The learning is accomplished mostly via learning to say sentences and build up gradually each chapter. I think this is similar to the (also very old) Berlitz Self-Taught book (which I nearly purchased before I saw this one, not bad either). All in all, I think this book beats the old Berlitz book as it seems to have more exercises which are much more varied; actually, the scope of the information about Germany and its customs is quite interesting.

All words are also presented phonetically just underneath the german spellings... this was helpful.

Negatives:

Its probably a little light on explaining the grammar rules. I don't think you'd really be learning as much as you could by using this book alone.

I've found that this book, when used along with the old 'German Made Simple' book (for its grammar info and exercises) offers about as much as you could ask for, assuming you learn by repetition/exercises like I do.

Its too bad the excerpted pages offered here do not show the actual lessons in the book and only go over the introductory material. It does give you a glimpse of the drawings though.

This one is definitely a good choice. You'll probably want to pick up a more grammar oriented book later but this would be an excellent starter for most anyone.

77 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent slow phrased based introduction, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: German: How to Speak and Write It (Dover Dual Language German) (Paperback)

Dover books are usually good, and this is no exception. I am just learning German and found this book far better and more interesting than some of the other basic books I tried. The rate of progress is noticeably slower than in say the Hugo book and I found this helpful. One thing: you will want to get a separate grammar reference to go with this as he works more with examples than charts.

Compared to the other beginner books this has FAR more in it.