German: How to Speak and Write It

by Joseph Rosenberg

Book Overview

This is probably the most delightful, useful, and comprehensive elementary book available for learning spoken and written German, with or without a teacher. Working on the principles that a person learns more quickly by example than by rule, the author has put together a book that abounds in immediately usable German sentences and phrases on a wide variety of subjects. The student will find pleasure in the amusing sketches and drawings used to imbed...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486202712
• ISBN13: 9780486202716
• Release Date: June 1967
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful!

This is by far the best guide to teaching yourself German. The book aims for you to "absorb" the language, instead of trying to memorize 5.3 million words. It really works! I don't think it's too outdated either. Of course, you'll have to look up how to say "email" some where else, but for the most part, this book is a gem.

A Classic!

This book is immersing and tough. The first German sentences you're exposed to are not translated and complex. You won't get all the grammatical concepts till late in the book. The translations are in the back though. The teaching style is excellent. It is great supplement or book to expose you to German. It will take persistence to get though it. The illustrations from the 40s (I think) are great. The book is a great buy for the info it holds.

newer definately dosn't mean better

I have to also agree with most everyone else who thinks this book is great. I've looked at just about every self-teaching book out there and this is one of my two favorites. Positive: It offers alot of simple exercises that force you into thinking 'in german'; the questions are quite easy and build up in difficulty slowly over time. Their repetitive nature makes for great learning with instantaneous feedback. The pictures/drawings are also nicely done, far from new and probably very dated as far as whats going on in Germany but very good at getting you to remember the word or concept. I think the dated look to the drawings actually helps in that they look so no-nonsense... like old textbooks that you may have used before the age of illustrations having to look comical or politically correct. The learning is accomplished mostly via learning to say sentences and build up gradually each chapter. I think this is similar to the (also very old) Berlitz Self-Taught book (which I nearly purchased before I saw this one, not bad either). All in all, I think this book beats the old Berlitz book as it seems to have more exercises which are much more varied; actually, the scope of the information about Germany and its customs is quite interesting. All words are also presented phonetically just underneath the german spellings... this was helpful. Negatives: Its probably a little light on explaining the grammar rules. I don't think you'd really be learning as much as you could by using this book alone. I've found that this book, when used along with the old 'German Made Simple' book (for its grammar info and excercises) offers about as much as you could ask for, assuming you learn by repetition/exercises like I do. Its too bad the excerpted pages offered here do not show the actual lessons in the book and only go over the introductory material. It does give you a glimpse of the drawings though. This one is definately a good choice. You'll probably want to pick up a more grammar oriented book later but this would be an excellent starter for most anyone.

One of the best I've seen!

What all the other 5-star reviewers say is true! I am an American who learned German as a second language starting in college, and continuing into time spent studying and working abroad. Back at home now, I am ever interested in, and conscious of, the need to keep up my language skills, and am always scanning German language books and aids. Although this book is meant for a beginner, I couldn't pass it up. It is chock full of approximately 1950's era, quaint illustrations and drawings (all much more helpful, somehow, than modern books' attempt to be "hip"). The illustrations all tie in closely with the readings, and make it easy to stay interested. There is such a variety of different excercises, amusing stories, interesting facts, maps, etc., that it is a pleasure to pick up the book each time. Take it from someone who has been comparing German language learning aids for years - this one is hard to beat!

Wonderful!

I am studying German independently armed with only this book (and a good dictionary). My friend in Berlin is consistently impressed with my progress and I have only been studying for 6 months. Don't let the old fashioned style dissuade you, the pedagogical approach is effective and accessible to everyone. Highly recommended!

Excellent slow phrased based introduction

Dover books are usually good, and this is no exception. I am just learning German and found this book far better and more interesting than some of the other basic books I tried. The rate of progress is noticeably slower than in say the Hugo book and I found this helpful. One thing: you will want to get a separate grammar reference to go with this as he works more with examples than charts.Compared to the other beginner books this has FAR more in it.