"Wicked Italian for the Traveler" by Howard Tomb is an enjoyable guide that aims to help travelers acquaint themselves with the Italian language and confidently navigate Italy. As part of the "Wicked Series," Tomb offers a unique and engaging approach to language learning.
The book starts with an introduction to Italian, providing pronunciation tips and essential phrases for everyday situations. Tomb's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it perfect for beginners. The author includes a range of useful vocabulary and phrases, covering greetings, dining etiquette, directions, and shopping.
An outstanding feature of this book is its inclusion of cultural insights and tips to navigate Italian culture. Tomb provides interesting background information on topics like food, wine, and customs. This adds depth to the learning experience and helps travelers connect with locals on a deeper level.
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The book's layout and organization are well-designed, with each chapter focusing on a different aspect of travel. Tomb includes exercises and practice scenarios throughout the book, allowing readers to actively engage with the material and reinforce their learning. A pronunciation guide and mini-dictionary at the end of the book offer additional convenience for travelers.
Overall, "Wicked Italian for the Traveler" is an excellent resource for anyone planning a trip to Italy. Howard Tomb's engaging writing style, practical vocabulary, and cultural insights make this book a valuable companion for immersing oneself in Italian language and culture. Whether you are a beginner or have some prior knowledge of Italian, this book will undoubtedly enhance your travel experience.
What are readers saying?
The book "Wicked Italian for the Traveler" written by Howard Tomb has received a variety of reviews from readers. Generally speaking, the book has been praised for its useful language content and practicality, although some readers did express some concerns about its organization and presentation.
Many readers found this book to be a valuable resource for learning Italian phrases that would be helpful during their travels. They appreciated the focus on practical vocabulary and phrases that are specifically relevant in travel situations. These readers felt that the book provided them with the necessary tools to communicate in basic Italian, thus enhancing their travel experience and making it more enjoyable.
While the book was well-received by many, some reviewers did mention that they found the organization of the book to be confusing. They felt that it could have been presented in a more straightforward manner. Another criticism was the absence of audio resources to complement the text, which some readers believed would have greatly enriched their learning experience.
Furthermore, a few readers expressed disappointment with the book's limited coverage of grammar and sentence structure. Although the book is primarily geared towards travelers, some reviewers were hoping for a more comprehensive approach that would provide a deeper understanding of the Italian language, rather than solely focusing on phrases for specific situations.
Despite these criticisms, many readers still found "Wicked Italian for the Traveler" to be a helpful guide for learning basic Italian phrases. They appreciated the book's practicality and its ability to enhance their travel experience. However, for individuals seeking a more comprehensive language resource or a well-organized guide, this particular book may not meet their expectations.
WickedItalian TravelerSeries ItalianLanguage