Russian For Dummies (For Dummies (Language & Literature))

As an expat banker living in Moscow, Russia, I picked up a copy of Russian for Dummies when I was in NYC just for kicks. The book is even better than some of the Russian language books I used in college for one simple reason: It's real, spoken Russian in a variety of actual everyday contexts, which I didn't have a clue about when I first came to Russia. If you're planning on living in Russia for extended periods of time, you'll want to learn the Cyrillic alphabet (which is a breeze, contrary to popular myth), but if you're just making a short trip or just want to get a thorough overview of the language the book is perfect.

Russian for Dummies breaks all the stereotypes I've had about Russia--a gloomy, strange country with a language next to impossible to learn. The Russian langauge and culture really come alive in this extremely easy to use introductory book. And there are so many intriguing cultural references in this book that you could actually use it as a travel guide as much as a language guide. I didn't realize Russia could be such a fun (and funny) place! C

This is the first Dummies I've bought, and I thought it was really good. The author's kept it funny and light, but remained true to their purpose...to put together an easy to use guide to Russian language. Between the table of contents and the index, I could always quickly find the phrase or vocabulary list I was looking for. And, between the transliterations and audio CD, I know what I'm learning is authentic.

How good this book is for you depends on what you want to do with it. If you need basic vocabulary and lots of ready to use phrases for a vacation or speaking with a certain person, then sure--get it, because it has exactly that. But if you want to learn Russian, I don't think this book is worth it. The CD is great, true, but if you pair another book with Pimsleur, then it becomes just another CD. Without the use of the Cryllic alphabet, you really can't progress farther than this book in Russian, so it's really just a waste. The Idiot's Guide is a better purchase, even without the CD, because it gives you a firm foundation to begin studying Russian. Trust me, if you want to learn Russian, then Russian for Dummies is not the way. It's an OK book, but it's made to serve a certain purpose and that purpose is not the one I think most people who pick it up have in mind.

This is a very solid, useful first book for learning Russian. Not only is it full of practical and INTERESTING information about Russian language and culture, it actually helps you function quickly in the language.

I don't get all these criticisms of the the transliteration issue. I'm not trying to read War and Peace in Russian. For what I needed this book for (to understand what my Russian friends are gossipping about), it's perfect.

I had my Russian friend Lena listen to the CD, and she
said the phrases throughout the book are completely real, the kind of Russian you actually hear on the streets of Moscow.

Reading the book left me excited for my trip to Russia this summer. If you want a USEFUL, VERY READABLE INTRO TO the Russian language and culture, then I recommend Russian for Dummies.