These Strange German Ways

Rating:
Summary: It`s all true!
Review: i guess this is the first book telling about the sometimes really strange german ways. i, as i am from germany, can just say: the author is right. the book contains everthing important (or not important but funny) and will probably do very well, helping you to understand us strange germans. i am now in the us as an exchange student for 11 month and brought it as a present for my host family - it was real fun reading it together and i guess it made the life with me a little easier for my host family. but: only 4 stars because some things aren`t up-to-date

Rating:
Summary: Is that me?
Review: I'm amazed! This book shows a detailed understanding of the German psyche. I as a German myself was totally amazed how highly accurate the descriptions are. Although the author sometimes strays a little from the truth (as I see it) in order to help understanding the Strange German Ways, I feel quite at home reading this book. As I have been to the US for a year and tried to explain Germany and the Germans to 'you folks', I would have been really grateful for this book as a companion. This is definitely a 'must have' if you deal with Germans a lot or intend to visit Germany.

Rating:
Summary: Easy reading for understanding an enigmatic people
Review: One of the most comprehensible works for a range of interests in Germanic culture, "These Strange German Ways" approaches the question of "What is German?" with direct, unique descriptions. As a professor at the University of Frankfurt and someone who hast lived in Germany for more than thirty years, Suzanne Stern's occasional, enlightening quips give the impression of an intimate friendship with the Germans. Though Germans may not appreciate her humor, it reflects an Anglo-Saxon perspective on the Teutonic culture (Stern herself is British) whose style is both light and informative. From how to present flowers to the German "Kreislaufstoerung," this book will either picque further interest in this enigmatic people or provide some laughs at their peculiarities.

Rating:
Summary: Easy reading for understanding an enigmatic people
Review: One of the most comprehensible works for a range of interests in Germanic culture, "These Strange German Ways" approaches the question of "What is German?" with direct, unique descriptions. As a professor at the University of Frankfurt and someone who hast lived in Germany for more than thirty years, Suzanne Stern's occasional, enlightening quips give the impression of an intimate friendship with the Germans. Though Germans may not appreciate her humor, it reflects an Anglo-Saxon perspective on the Teutonic culture (Stern herself is British) whose style is both light and informative. From how to present flowers to the German "Kreislaufstoerung," this book will either picque further interest in this enigmatic people or provide some laughs at their peculiarities.

Rating:
Summary: Truly Spectacular
Review: Susan Stern is a remarkable author. She has helped me not just to understand German culture more, but also my understanding of my native American Culture. I met Susan Stern once at a convention at the University of South Carolina with a few of my fellow German students. She is just as remarkable in person as in this book. If you plan on traveling to Germany, be it for Business, to live there, or for tourism, I highly recomend this book. Even if you're not traveling to Germany, this book is great for understanding and comparing your own culture with that of others. One last thing. Read the up-dated book which was published in 2000, not the 1998 version.

Rating:
Summary: Truly Spectacular
Review: Susan Stern is a remarkable author. She has helped me not just to understand German culture more, but also my understanding of my native American Culture. I met Susan Stern once at a convention at the University of South Carolina with a few of my fellow German students. She is just as remarkable in person as in this book. If you plan on traveling to Germany, be it for Business, to live there, or for tourism, I highly recomend this book. Even if you're not traveling to Germany, this book is great for understanding and comparing your own culture with that of others. One last thing. Read the up-dated book which was published in 2000, not the 1998 version.