Hippocrene Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine [Paperback]

Linda Hodges (Author), George Chumak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1994

This book is for the traveller who is sensitive to the differences between national groups and who appreciates the distinctiveness of the Ukrainian language, history, and culture. This book is for the visitor to Ukraine who wants to speak to Ukrainians in their native tongue, who wants to learn more about their culture, and view the historical sights from Ukrainian perspectives.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Coauthored by a writer of Ukrainian ancestry and another of Ukrainian nativity, this unusual combination of language instruction, sightseeing guide, and travel survival kit works by keeping it simple. Useful to all visitors, especially those visiting family.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Coauthored by a writer of Ukrainian ancestry and another of Ukrainian nativity this ... language instruction and travel survival kit works." -- Reed Business Information, 1999

"First-time visitors to Ukraine and inexperienced travelers will find the book especially useful." -- The Ukrainian Weekly, March 19, 1995

"[is] unique and should be invested in." -- Booklist

"offer[s] an interesting overview of Ukraine’s complicated history ... highly recommended for public libraries." -- Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books; 2nd edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781801354
• ISBN-13: 978-0781801355
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,346,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > Travel > Europe > Belarus & Ukraine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine, September 24, 2000

By 

"robertp976" (New Lenox, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine (Language and Travel Guides) (Paperback)

First, I must admit that I did not buy this book from Amazon.con. But I feel that this is a good way to express my opinion of the book. Ukraine has a complex and facinating history. This fact will manifest itself while traveling in Ukraine. I know because I have been there. This book interlaces a good overview of Ukraine's history into its main theme of being a language and travel guide. It has good information for anyone traveling to Ukraine. I wish this book was available when I was visiting Ukraine. It would have been quite helpful in a few situations I was in. One last note ... At the start on most chapters, this book gives a Ukrainian Proverb(With the English meaning). It's a nice touch.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better than several alternatives, November 1, 1999

By 

George Palmer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hippocrene Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine (Paperback)

Limited scope, but a good general guide. Smaller towns and rural areas don't receive much coverage. However, considering the alternatives, it is quite satisfactory. The language section are very good, but,from personal experience, studying Russian would be more helpful unless you are traveling in the far western part of the country. An unscientific estimate: probably 80% of the people speak Ukrainian, an even higher percentage speak Russian. When I asked the natives about the number of Ukrainians that understand Russian better than Ukrainian, I was told it was because of the previous educational system (the better schools taught all the subjects in Russian only). I love the Ukraine and the people, but, a comment that I heard applied to U.S./Mexico relations seems to be applicable to the Ukraine/Russia situation: "Poor Ukraine. So far from God and so close to Russia."

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Updated Guide to Ukraine is Worth It!, December 26, 2000

By 

Zoltan B. (Berkeley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine (Language and Travel Guides) (Paperback)

The updated version is even better. The kinks are mostly out. Linda Hodges' love for her beloved Ukraine still shines on every page of this very upbeat and somewhat rose-colored travel guide. It is the kind of Ukraine that you will surely find, if you go around a few unscrupulous people - in airports, taxis, restaurants or at border check-points. If you're lucky enough to have someone invite you to a private home, especially in small towns or villages, you may experience that legendary Ukrainian hospitality and the wonderful food that goes with it! And in spite of what one has heard, Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainians don't live only in Halychyna; you will find them far to the east and south, and proud of their ancient heritage. Often, they will start out pretending to be Russians, but will end up singing those unforgettable Ukrainian songs with you, their eyes getting misty. Such is the case with most of the so-called "Russian" Ukrainians. Even true ethnic Russians will join in, since most Russian songs don't quite measure up. They like to be accepted and acknowleged, and forgiven for not being more Ukrainian, and they're impressed by foreign visitors who want to know about Ukraine. The Soviet system has taught them that Ukrainians live only in villages and speak a Russian "dialect" called Ukrainian, so they've always tried to hide their true origins. Unlike the hard-boiled approach to Ukraine travel by the politically over-correct Let's Go guide, Linda Hodges goes the more mellow route. You'll be seduced by her charm, make no mistake about it. Rozumijite?