Hippocrene Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine (Language and Travel Guides)

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Summary: Updated Guide to Ukraine is Worth It!
Review: The updated version is even better. The kinks are mostly out. Linda Hodges' love for her beloved Ukraine still shines on every page of this very upbeat and somewhat rose-colored travel guide. It is the kind of Ukraine that you will surely find, if you go around a few unscrupulous people - in airports, taxis, restaurants or at border check-points. If you're lucky enough to have someone invite you to a private home, especially in small towns or villages, you may experience that legendary Ukrainian hospitality and the wonderful food that goes with it! And in spite of what one has heard, Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainians don't live only in Halychyna; you will find them far to the east and south, and proud of their ancient heritage. Often, they will start out pretending to be Russians, but will end up singing those unforgettable Ukrainian songs with you, their eyes getting misty. Such is the case with most of the so-called "Russian" Ukrainians. Even true ethnic Russians will join in, since most Russian songs don't quite measure up. They like to be accepted and acknowleged, and forgiven for not being more Ukrainian, and they're impressed by foreign visitors who want to know about Ukraine. The Soviet system has taught them that Ukrainians live only in villages and speak a Russian "dialect" called Ukrainian, so they've always tried to hide their true origins. Unlike the hard-boiled approach to Ukraine travel by the politically over-correct Let's Go guide, Linda Hodges goes the more mellow route. You'll be seduced by her charm, make no mistake about it. Rozumijite?

Rating:
Summary: Language and travel guide to Ukraine
Review: This was a decent book, although it gave me no tips on traveling to the eastern part of Ukraine which is mostly Russian culture and the language does differ from Russian and Ukrainian. My friend who is Russian pointed that out to me. I had also liked to have seen the book give a better guide to pronouncing words as I had trouble with some. All in all, I found all the information to still be of use to me.

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Summary: Informative & overly upbeat book about a distressed country.
Review: We thoroughly enjoyed this book as we prepared for our trip. We found it somewhat lacking once we arrived. The experience of visiting the country left us with the impression the authors had written it wearing rose-colored glasses. Don't pass it up for the hard information. Take the excited prose with a grain of salt.