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Summary: Breaking out of Beginner's Spanish
Review: Very informative and interesting book. Easy reading and entertaining. This book is money well spent!
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Summary: Spanish student, don't go 1 more day without buying ths book
Review: This is THE BEST book that I own on learning spanish and I own about thirty books. I would not be without this book. I read it over and over and over and over again. This is not, and does not attempt to be, a shortcut to fluency. You have to study hard, memorize a lot, and speak to anyone who'll listen to you in spanish to get fluent. Do not go another day without buying this book. You will thank me.
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Summary: All Students of Spanish Need This Book
Review: Have you studied some--or perhaps a great deal of--Spanish, but find yourself falling into the same traps that peg you for a gringo year after year? Ferret out this book and get to know it very well. Despite the unassuming title, this dynamic book will teach at least a few things to everyone learning Spanish, no matter what their level, and Keenan's lighthearted style makes it pain-free. Learn the "crutch words" to use if your Spanish is halting--the Spanish equivalents of "um," "er," and "you know." He has pondered over the subtleties and shadings of communication and happily invites us to crank up our skills. Chapter 9 gives you "Snappy Answers"; the stock phrases and comebacks you hear constantly in Spanish conversation, e.g., "de acuerdo," "?en serio?," and "!imaginese!," but which may require some background to use properly. Tricksters, "falsos amigos" (false cognates), invective--I could go on and with the delights of this book for all students of Spanish but instead encourage you to explore it on your own.
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Summary: a must-have, and a bargain
Review: I've had this book for several years now, and I can only echo what many other reviewers have already said:- I've read and re-read it. The pages will probably start falling out soon. In addition to being packed with info, it's just fun to read. I'd give it ten stars if I could. - While it would be most useful to those with a grounding in Spanish, even beginners will enjoy reading it, and it'll always be there for future use. And even very fluent students will find useful stuff. - It has the best explanation of the subjunctive I've seen. - The only weakness is the lack of an index, making it hard to look up stuff you run across in the real world. (I only put this in the hope that the author may read this and fix it in another edition) - Please, please, please write another one Joe!!!!
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Summary: Esta Bien
Review: In today's multi-cultural world, I think everyone should be bi or even tri-lingual. Of course, for us in the States, Spanish is a natural second language since there are so many native Spanish speakers in this country. Though not for beginners since it does require the reader to know the mechanics of the language, this book will teach the intermediate speaker how to actually communicate in Spanish. The author doesn't just teach you a series of idioms, but explains the reasons behind how and why to use them: It also clears up tricky distinctions between words. By learning Keenan's simple tricks, you will quickly gain fluency in conversational Spanish, and sound less like a hapless "Gringo."
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Summary: VERY HELPFUL
Review: I am a spanish major and have viewed many books of this type. This is the best by far! It clarified many pharases that were somewhat unclear to me. I recommend this book not only to beginners but also to more advanced learners!
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Summary: This book is an essential Spanish language aid.
Review: Everyone else has said it all: the book should be a Spanish language student's second purchase after either a Collins Pocket Gem dictionary or a FSI course. It's a particularly interesting read for its explanation of *why* you use the phrases that you use. Sometimes knowing that a different mindset is required can be the difference between an adequate word choice and the correct one.
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Summary: Practical colloquial Spanish at its best.
Review: This book avoids the dull approach and concentrates mainly on providing practical advice so as to make it easier to communicate effectively with native speakers. The most common words, phrases and idiomatic expressions not generally covered in standard textbooks or taught in schools, is the main focal point. Several snappy filler and transition words designed to initiate or continue a conversation are offered to help reduce the problem of becoming entangled in a web of confusion which often leaves you speechless or embarrassed. Many commonly used verbs, etc. are presented in context with enough examples explaining their usage, with a view to eliminating the situation that can arise where some statements, though said in good faith and innocence, can be construed as obscene or insulting. Popular expletives, as used among native speakers, are included to add a bit of spice and variety since these expressions form a part of every living language. Therefore, each student ought to become familiar with these everyday expressions, if only for the sake of knowledge. This book is worth the price.
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Summary: Por fin
Review: I have studied Spanish for 14 years, and am currently student teaching in a middle school Spanish class. I bought this book to help me tutor another person and found instead that the book helped me far more than anything else. The author has explained concepts in such a way that suddenly things which have troubled me since the beginning of my studies (such as the subjunctive) are clear. In one reading he helped me more than 14 years of teachers. I just returned from living in South America, where this book was a frequent resource.
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Summary: A True Gem
Review: This is a true treasure of a book. For an intermediate student, it answers many question that you ask yourself, but are never answered in text books. The author didnt learn spanish as a hard core academic, he learned it the real way. He went through the same struggles you go through, and is able to help from that point of view. I've bought many books on spanish during my self led quest to learn the language; some very good, some bad, but none compare to this one. I just wish the auther would consider writing a second and even third book and expand his unique insights into a series.
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