HarperCollins Language Survival Guide: Italy: The Visual Phrasebook and Dictionary (HarperCollins Language Survival Guides) [Paperback]

HarperCollins Publishers (Author)

Book Description

Series: HarperCollins Language Survival Guides | Publication Date: May 27, 2003

The HarperCollins Language Survival Guide covers every aspect of foreign travel: from traffic signs to menu items and bank machines, plus practical know-how such as how to weigh your own fruit in the supermarket and punch your ticket at the train station. The book also provides essential vocabulary and grammar.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

HarperCollins Publishers is one of the world's leading English-language publishers with headquarters in New York. The company is part of News America Publishing Group, a division of News Corporation. The house of Mark Twain, the Bronte Sisters, Thackeray, Dickens, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Maurice Sendak, HarperCollins was founded in New York City in 1817 by the brothers James and John Harper. The worldwide book group, which was formed following News Corporation's acquisition of the British publisher William Collins in January 1990, has significant publishing interests in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference; Bilingual edition (May 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060536934
• ISBN-13: 978-0060536930
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Travel > Reference & Tips > Reference
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Italian
  • #80 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Travel > Europe > Italy > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great compact guide for practical tourist information!, July 16, 2003

By 

2Wanna (North Richland Hills, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HarperCollins Language Survival Guide: Italy: The Visual Phrasebook and Dictionary (HarperCollins Language Survival Guides) (Paperback)

This is not your ordinary phrase book or travel guide. Unlike the other guide books I have purchased on Italy that only focus on landscapes and museums, this book is packed full of photographs of all kinds of handy "need to know" information. It is more of a picture - reading guide book that illustrates social customs, a whole array of signs-and what they mean-(i.e. street/HWY, bank machines, open/close, tickets, schedules, etc.), and food and shopping sections. Throughout out the book, there are yellow "information" boxes that give you more indepth hints about the subject it is highlighting (ex. driving...legal driving age in Italy is 18; if you get a ticket, you'll be fined on the spot, etc.) Also, there are pink "Keywords" boxes and green "talking" boxes that help you with words or how to ask questions and are reflective to whatever the subject matter that is being highlighted on that page. There is a whole alphabetized section of menu items, some with pictures, and it gives you details of what you are ordering or how to read a wine or beer label. The last half of the book is the Italian-English, English-Italian Dictionary. Overall, a very useful book that gives you handy pictorial information on how to manuever around Italy without language being a barrier.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handy, complete and useful, July 26, 2004

By 

VENTURINI VIVIANA (NAVE, BRESCIA Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HarperCollins Language Survival Guide: Italy: The Visual Phrasebook and Dictionary (HarperCollins Language Survival Guides) (Paperback)

This visual dictionary is extremely helpful for the foreign traveller as well as the Italian who tries to explain to a foreign friend what a particular dish is made of.
The pocket book is divided into three sections:
a. hundreds of colourful pictures with explanations and useful phrases;
b. a menu reader with some pictures;
c. Italian/English and English/Italian glossaries.
I was looking for a practical dictionary to explain to foreign friends the meaning of our Italian dishes such as "caprese", "affettati misti", "melanzane alla parmigiana", "bruschetta", "caponata" and so on. I found this marvellous book and am happy because it gives you the explanation of a dish, not only its translation. I recommend it to everyone, for it's extremely clear, complete and detailed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this Book!, July 12, 2005

By 

D. River "fashion femme fatale" (San Leandro, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: HarperCollins Language Survival Guide: Italy: The Visual Phrasebook and Dictionary (HarperCollins Language Survival Guides) (Paperback)

If you are going to Italy, you MUST take this book... The pictures are invaluable! Especially when there is no one around to ask questions! We used this book more than we used our dictionary!

We have used the one for France too!