Product Description

Originally published in 1994, this popular guide to scenic and culturally rich Ukraine has been completely revised and updated for the November 2004 fourth edition. Containing historical and cultural background, travel suggestions, as well as a language guide, this book is an essential resource for all travelers to Ukraine. The fourth edition features:

* Visa and customs information, tips for planning your trip, traveling within Ukraine, and where to stay and eat.
*Cultural background including such topics as family and friends, cuisine, recreation and entertainment, education, and religion in Ukraine.
*An expanded discussion of the major cities Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv and the Crimea, with the addition of numerous smaller cities and significant tourist attractions throughout the country.
*A guide to contemporary Ukrainian language, including essential words and phrases addressing the most typical situations a visitor to Ukraine might encounter. The transliteration scheme makes it possible for tourists to read public signs, while the phonetic pronunciation accompanying the Cyrillic phrases allows them to make themselves understood by Ukrainian speakers. This book is valuable to those with no background in Slavic languages and also useful as a refresher for persons familiar with Ukrainian.

The everything-a-traveler-to-Ukraine-needs-to-know-approach along with new color photos and maps make Language and Travel Guide to Uraine a goldmine of information for travelers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #736824 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 390 pages

From Library Journal
Coauthored by a writer of Ukrainian ancestry and another of Ukrainian nativity, this unusual combination of language instruction, sightseeing guide, and travel survival kit works by keeping it simple. Useful to all visitors, especially those visiting family.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Coauthored by a writer of Ukrainian ancestry and another of Ukrainian nativity this ... language instruction and travel survival kit works." -- Reed Business Information, 1999

"First-time visitors to Ukraine and inexperienced travelers will find the book especially useful." -- The Ukrainian Weekly, March 19, 1995

"[is] unique and should be invested in." -- Booklist

"offer[s] an interesting overview of Ukraine’s complicated history ... highly recommended for public libraries." -- Library Journal

About the Author
Linda Hodges and George Chumak

Customer Reviews

Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine
First, I must admit that I did not buy this book from Amazon.con. But I feel that this is a good way to express my opinion of the book. Ukraine has a complex and facinating history. This fact will manifest itself while traveling in Ukraine. I know because I have been there. This book interlaces a good overview of Ukraine's history into its main theme of being a language and travel guide. It has good information for anyone traveling to Ukraine. I wish this book was available when I was visiting Ukraine. It would have been quite helpful in a few situations I was in. One last note ... At the start on most chapters, this book gives a Ukrainian Proverb(With the English meaning). It's a nice touch.

Updated Guide to Ukraine is Worth It!
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?

Better than several alternatives
Limited scope, but a good general guide. Smaller towns and rural areas don't receive much coverage. However, considering the alternatives, it is quite satisfactory. The language section are very good, but,from personal experience, studying Russian would be more helpful unless you are traveling in the far western part of the country. An unscientific estimate: probably 80% of the people speak Ukrainian, an even higher percentage speak Russian. When I asked the natives about the number of Ukrainians that understand Russian better than Ukrainian, I was told it was because of the previous educational system (the better schools taught all the subjects in Russian only). I love the Ukraine and the people, but, a comment that I heard applied to U.S./Mexico relations seems to be applicable to the Ukraine/Russia situation: "Poor Ukraine. So far from God and so close to Russia."