I've used many language help books but this one is my favorite. I felt like I could indeed self teach Italian. And when I went to Italy my cousins there did understand me (for the most part). It's a great book for slowly building to a conversational understanding of the language.
A Classic Learning Tool for Beginners of Italian
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
My husband and I review this book from cover to cover each year before we go back to Italy. We have been doing this for 20 years. I am about to order another paperback as I use it so much. This is a classic book. So easy to learn with pictures and words. For someone who knows no Italian, it is the perfect book to start with.
Fantastico! -- A jump start that keeps on giving
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
The author claims that the user will be "pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to learn Italian with the method used in this book." I must say that truer words were never written. This little book will somehow have you "thinking" basic Italian very quickly.I guess that the pictures help reinforce the learning process, but that's not what makes this book great. It's the grouping of the ideas on the page that makes it so comprehensible. Not only do the "lessons" logically progress, each one also stands on its own as a useful learning experience. This confirms the author's claim that each page is a lesson unto itself.The book has a pronunciation guide, a limited but useful index, and a small Italian to English dictionary. There are also a number of "Everyday Expressions," that are just what the doctor ordered.This is a "must have" book. Yes, you may quickly outgrow it, but you will find yourself referring to it often as you continue your studies.
Perfect for getting started in Italian
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I like the pictures, I like how each page provides a dictionary for any words used on that page. It is simple, well explained process. It does not inundate you with details and conjugations. It just gives you what you will need to communicate in basic Italian.
A Great Starter Book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I first bought this book when I was 11 years old. thinking I could teach myself Italian all by myself. This was in 1966! Unfortunately, it didn't work out as planned since at that age you really need someone to work with you. But as an adult many years later, I have been seriously studying Italian and found that my mother still had that old book at her house! I wanted to take it with me but she seemed to like it so much that I decided to leave it with her. I figured it was no longer being printed but much to my surprise I happened upon it in a local bookstore. So I bought it and am thoroughly enjoying it. I like the way it takes verbs and conjugates it with many nouns and pronouns repeatly until it really "sinks in"! I have many books I use that are much more detailed than this one but I love this book! It gets right to the point and in such a way that you do remember the phrases. The pictures help too. For the money, you can't go wrong! So consider adding it to your Italian book collection. It's great for travel.
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