21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very accurate description of what to expect, October 17, 1999
I found this book to be 97% accurate of what my experiences were for the week I spent in Damascus and immediate areas. I highly recommend anyone planning a trip to Syria to use this book as a guide to understanding Syrian customs. Coleman South's attention to the details of everyday life helped immensely. The Syrian people were indeed friendly and became even more so when they found out I was an American. I would only add that since Culture Shock: Syria! was written, information access is widespread, as judged by the forest of satellite dishes seen on rooftops and CNN in my hotel rooms.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Culture Shock Syria: Excellent, October 4, 2010
When I worked in Damascus, the director of the office asked me to read and review this excellent guide to Syria and Syrian culture.
He praised the book. As a Spanish expatriate, 10 years resident in Syria, fluent in Arabic, married to a Syrian woman, with Syrian children, he told me he had learned much by reading the Culture Shock guide.
And as I read the chapters, I saw page after page of text describing my own experiences in Damascus and Syria.
Marvelous. I recommend this guide to anyone visiting Syria. I bought my own copy when I returned to the United States.
( And the text includes a very quick explication of the Arabic language. A good introduction to Arabic language students. The value of those few pages repays the price of the guide. )
However, there are sections requiring updating. Be prepared for changes.
Even though thousands of years of the past remain on every street, Damascus is now accelerating into the 21st century. I encourage foreigners to visit Damascus before towers of glass and stainless steel replace the past.
I also encourage students of the Arabic language to study Arabic in Damascus. As stated again and again in Culture Shock: Syria, the Syrian people welcome Americans and enjoy their acquaintance.
An American professor / student of Arabic in Damascus
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4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dated "shock", December 2, 2007
I've just returned from a month long stay in Syria where I traveled throughout the country. During my travels I met many interesting people young and old and from every political persuasion. All were extremely friendly to me as an American and stated that they viewed the American government (read Bush) differently from the American people. I was very disappointed in how out of date the Cultural Shock book was in almost all areas. The country is no where near as conservative as you would be led to believe by this text. On many occasions I couldn't believe that he was writing about the same country as I visited. I read the book before I went and then reread it upon return. I wouldn't recommend this book because it is so very dated. An added point: I have traveled extensively in the middle east and am very familiar with the history and cultures. of many of the countries. This book sorely needs updating!!!
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