Great way to start learning a new language, 22 Jun 1999

Don't buy this expecting to have a set of stock phrases which you have learnt parrot fashion. It's not a phase book (The initial chapters will have you declaring that "the quiet jellyfish is blue and fresh" - OK if you are into obscure seafood I guess!). By the end of the book you know HOW to say "I want a quiet table for 4 over there please" and WHY it means that.

The only thing I would recommend is to have a English/Spanish dictionary with you. There is nothing more annoying than knowing WHAT you want to say, knowing HOW to say it but not knowing the Spanish word for it.

PS This book made me an instant hero with my kids when I proudly told them that the Spanish for frog is "rana" after we spotted some in a pond. That's GOT to be worth the money.

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Amazing!, 22 Jul 2004

I have (and will continue) to recommend this book to my friends. I bought this with the learning-cd, which was ideal for listening to in the car during rush-hour traffic. Distract yourself from road-rage!

If you are thinking of learning spanish, buy this book, you won't regret it. I'll see your review here in the next few days ;)

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Excellent learning tool for beginners, 28 Aug 1998

The explanation of the use of "es" and "esta" made more sense to me than the one given to my class by my Spanish teacher. It is also easier to remember which one is to be used in which instance by using Dr. Gruneberg's notes.

The divisions of the book are are also well done. In my opinion, it would be very easy to "learn" Spanish quickly before an expected trip with this book. It is one of the few self help books that really lived up the the "dust cover" advertising.

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