Rick Steves' German Phrase Book and Dictionary

Rating:
Summary: Description
Review: From laughing with cabbies to charming new friends, Rick Steves' German Phrase Book & Dictionary includes well-tested phrases and key words to cover every situation a traveler is likely to encounter. Now includes an two-way dictionary, plus the latest on European currency and rail transportation.

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Summary: Keep this book within reach as you travel.
Review: My wife and I recently traveled through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. I had both the German Phrase book and the French version. They read very easily and consist of enough common phrases to get you by, but not so many that you are overwhelmed or confused. Handy tips and observations are sprinkled throughout the book that make reading it fun and enlightening. I especially liked the United States Map (showing the states and their boundries). I used this to show my hosts where I was from (and to generate some lively discussions). The pronounciation guides for the phrases are very good and can make you easily understood by the natives. If you're planning on traveling in Europe, I strongly recommend that you read and review this book before you go (to get familiar and practice) and take it with you as you travel (for fast reference).

Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: This has got to be the best-designed foreign language phrase book/dictionery ever written. Very well organized; shirt-pocket sized; all words spelled phonetically (in addition to their real spelling); an emphasis on real conversational phrases and practical situations that a traveler would actually encounter. I had to laugh out loud when I got to the section that dealt with romance... and also how to DISCOURAGE romantic advances (such as the translation of "I have many diseases"). If you are going to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, take this along. People may argue about the utility of Mr. Steves' guidebooks, but his phrase book and dictionery is an undeniable winner.

Rating:
Summary: Humor, too.
Review: This is the greatest phrase book I have ever used. It is funny and list phrases people use in real conversation. I honestly didn't have to use mine much because I found most Germans and Swiss eager to practice their English. However, it was a great tool. It is also small in size, which is important if you are trying to travel light!

Rating:
Summary: Humor, too.
Review: This is the greatest phrase book I have ever used. It is funny and list phrases people use in real conversation. I honestly didn't have to use mine much because I found most Germans and Swiss eager to practice their English. However, it was a great tool. It is also small in size, which is important if you are trying to travel light!