Customer Reviews

German Survival Guide: The Language and Culture You Need to Travel With Confidence in Germany and Austria (Book and Audio Tape Set)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The ultimate compliment you can pay a travel guide? "Works as advertised". I'd argue the same goes for this survival guide of Germany and to a less extent, Austria.

I acquired a handful, really just a small amount of German as a result of this book, but I used it all for twelve days, and it made a world of difference. The cultural notes, however, were of even greater value: *when* to use phrases is integral to knowing *how*.

My only two concerns, a half-star I withhold for each: the two-cassette method of delivery and a too-small glossary/ vocabulary/ dictionary. Pack a CD with the book and it's a five-star value; pack another forty pages of German-English word translations and it's official.

However, if you're serious about German, get the FSI course; if you need a German-English dictionary, pick up a Collins Pocket Gem. Tschüs!

I have never been to germany although one day I really hope to go. My husband is german and his mother does not speak a lick of English. This desperate daughter-in-law was saved many embarrassing and fustrating moments by this book. It is a handy size to keep in the car or in a good size purse. I had to live with my MIL for a couple months and weeks at a time and this book has helped me communicate with her on many levels about many necessary topics, especially when my husband wasnt always around to translate or got tired of it.

Granted it doesnt have every single thing about germans in it but it sure has made my life easier.

Mrs. Bingham's German Survival Guide is definitely not just another guide listing numerous tourist attractions, because it deals with an essential part of travelling abroad - language - and how to use it in order to make your trip enjoyable. Your memories of travelling abroad should not be limited to the number of sights you have seen, but should include memories of different cultures and ways of life, people or food. The basic knowledge of a foreign language certainly helps! This Survival Guide offers everything you need to travel to Austria or Germany, all situations you are likely to come across are covered, like greetings, introductions, transportation, food, shopping, lodging, emergencies and sightseeing. Basic German grammar is explained well, all the necessary vocabulary is provided, there are useful exercises to test yourself, and at the end of the book you will find a very useful dictionary and a survival summary. The book is well-researched and shows the author's profound knowledge of the German language and Austrian and German culture. This aspect is very important, because one can't stress the importance of knowing a few basic things about a foreign culture enough. I am convinced that this Survival Guide is a useful companion on your trip abroad, so take it along!

Elizabeth Bingham's German Survival Guide is the most user friendly introduction to German language and culture available to the tourist or business traveler today. A simple, effective, basic course, the German Survival Guide offers the vocabulary, grammar, and culturally overview required to successfully and happily greet people, introduce oneself, make small talk, rent a car, book a room, order a meal, shop, ask for directions, deal with emergencies and medical issues, follow local customs for dining, tipping, and more! Enhancing the text are a wealth of study tips, travel hints, and reality checks, and a four-page "Survival Summary" for easy reference. If you are planning a visit to Germany and/or Austria, begin with a careful reading of Elizabeth Bingham's German Survival Guide!

Elizabeth Binham's book German Survival Guide has finally made learning a foreign language easy enough that anyone can travel. She freely admits that this book is made to teach you enough to get by in Germany and Austria with a comfort level. She doesn't clutter her book with why this word should be used on the week day rather than the weekend. There is no doubt that a person can learn from this book about the language,the customs, and the country. German Survival Guide will let you enjoy the learning experience, and the vacation without over burdening the reader. Personally I'm looking forward to further publications of hers. There's a lot to see out there.

I am very impressed by the information in the German Survival Guide. I took German in college several years ago and had forgotten most of what I had learned, so the guide is a great refresher. The pronunciation guide is excellent and very easy to read. Even if I had not had German, I would be able to pronounce the words in an appropriate manner in order ask for the things I would need.

In addition to the pronuncation guide, the cultural notes are great. I think that when traveling this is a very important aspect, as I certainly do not want to do something or say something to upset the native speakers.

I have traveled to many different countries and if I would have had a guide such as this, I would have been better prepared and less apprehensive about the language and the customs of the country.

I presented this book to some members of my class in German and asked for their opinion. They as a whole believed that this book was more valuable because it not only discussed the basics of German but also gave you an insight into the culture and thinking of germans.

Last summer my family and I traveled in Germany, Austria, and several other European countries, and I wish that we had had a guide such as the German Survival Guide with us then. I would find the material inside the front and back covers very useful. It is quick to locate, and the information given includes the terms and phrases that people need most often. For additional words, the German-English and English-German dictionaries are available at the end of the book. The specific chapter we would have used the most would be Ch. 3 on Restaurants and Food since we frequently ate at restaurants without English on the menu. The other parts that are especially helpful are the cultural notes that are interspersed throughout the book. If we travel in Germany again, we definitely will take this book with us!

I was nervous about my trip to Germany and this book was very helpful. I foumd that most people I came across in Germany speak English. But this book helped when it came to the practical things like meals, bathrooms, shopping, hotels.

Ideal for anyone contemplating a precarious excursion to Germany.