Rating: 
Summary: The book explains Russian obscene words that are used daily.
Review: This book really helps to understand the modern day obscene Russian. It is not only a dictionary, but also more of an encyclopedia. The author describes the meaning of the phrases, words; and how and where they are used. This book is very useful for non-Russian speakers who are planing to visit Russia and don't want to be embarrassed.
Rating: 
Summary: Caveat lector
Review: To go by the picture of Russian life portrayed in this book, Russians spend most of their time cursing, swearing, and whoring--even when they're just going down to the market. If you plan to spend most of your time in Russia getting thrown out of taverns and soliciting prostitutes, this might be an important resource for you. Otherwise, it's probably best read as a humorous sociological treatise of dubious reliability. Think Yakov Smirnoff doing stand-up on the strip club circuit.The trouble is Topol gives the impression that insulting Russians and their mothers in fifty shades of blue is the way to win your way into their hearts. That's the lesson learned from his opening anecdote about a kindly old rabbi with his charming way of calling the author an S.O.B. If I were a beginning student in Russian--actually, that's exactly what I am--I'd be much more cautious. And indeed, about midway through the book, Topol warns the reader that liberal use of obscenity is a privilege reserved for your social superiors. A fun book in its own peculiar way, but I'd learn how to politely order a meal before learning how to tell the waiter it tastes like...
Rating:
Summary: Caveat lector
Review: To go by the picture of Russian life portrayed in this book, Russians spend most of their time cursing, swearing, and whoring--even when they're just going down to the market. If you plan to spend most of your time in Russia getting thrown out of taverns and soliciting prostitutes, this might be an important resource for you. Otherwise, it's probably best read as a humorous sociological treatise of dubious reliability. Think Yakov Smirnoff doing stand-up on the strip club circuit. The trouble is Topol gives the impression that insulting Russians and their mothers in fifty shades of blue is the way to win your way into their hearts. That's the lesson learned from his opening anecdote about a kindly old rabbi with his charming way of calling the author an S.O.B. If I were a beginning student in Russian--actually, that's exactly what I am--I'd be much more cautious. And indeed, about midway through the book, Topol warns the reader that liberal use of obscenity is a privilege reserved for your social superiors. A fun book in its own peculiar way, but I'd learn how to politely order a meal before learning how to tell the waiter it tastes like...
Rating: 
Summary: Words your mother never taught you.
Review: Using obscenities in a foreign language is risky business -- don't do it. That said, this little book offers a humorous key to Russian vulgarisms. As long as you "look but don't touch," you'll do fine. (One flaw: the accent marks are not given for the Russian, leaving non-natives to guess. But that's not a problem, 'cause you're not going to talk like this, are you?)
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