The Everything Learning Russian Book with CD: Speak, Write, and Understand Russian in No Time! [With CD (Audio)]

I've been learning Russian for the past 6 months. It's been a difficult language to learn. I've basically been trying every resource I could find. I've found most Russian grammar books too BORING and poorly written to read. Normally I utilize audio courses more on this topic because in most audio courses, they do a better job of keeping it interesting and describing Russian grammar in a way that I can understand. My experience with books about Russian is that they're very wordy and tremendously BORING. Not with this book, however. This book is clear, concise and very interesting. Full of sensible charts and interesting facts about Russia, this book combines learning the Russian language with learning about Russian culture. Each chapter takes you further into the Russian language, while keeping you engaged with relevant scenarios in Russian culture (one chapter teaches you about Russian cuisine and how to order in Russian whilst teaching you how to keep your adjectives in forms that agree with the words they modify). Unlike some introductory books, this book actually teaches you (simply) how to READ Russian characters. I had already learned how to read Russian before I bought this book, but this book pointed out certain spelling rules I hadn't learned yet that have really been improving my reading. I think this book is great for beginners and will be a great reference book as well. There are quizzes at the end of each chapter (and an answer key) which help you practice the language (even giving you opportunities to practice your grammar). Most basic books on Russian have quizzes at the end, but this is the first book I've actually been inclined to answer the quizzes. The book is written in such a way that I was actually interested enough to retain the knowledge I had read and I was able to answer the quizzes. I would definitely recommend this book.

very good book, very happy with book and its condition, i would buy here again

As a Russian specialist, I think that this is a good choice for those who want to try their hand at a difficult language.

I think this is a great book and CD to learn Russian.It takes you step by step to learn the language.I give it five stars.

The opinions on how to learn a language are vast. And, I tend to think that each individual must read widely on how to acquire a second language, and come to your own conclusions. With that said, lets be frank, though, over 90% of learners will quit without even obtaining the first level of learning (A1 Elementary Level). So, develop any reasonable plan you choose, but remember, 2 words a day, not learning Cyrillic, learning to talk, but not to read, etc...are all unreasonable plans that mark you as doomed to failure. Now about this book...it puts you on the right track. Recent books have been of the kind I call 'pandering', they tell you its OK not to learn, in order to sell you the book, but they are so bad, you will never be fluent. This book really impressed me, because it is just a fun, simple, clearly written book, that presents the subject matter in a concise, clear way. It doesn't pander. It's not complete either, you won't learn advanced topics here, but it is a great introduction! I've been learning Russian for 6 years. In those six years, I have been kind of meandering about. I have learned Cyrillic, I do know quite a bit of vocabulary...but with this book, I finally said to myself, I will work through every single exercise. I will buy the practice book, and practice at each task. It was far easier for me, for having six years of 'pre-study' study, but, having bought just about every book out there, I can definately say that this book, along with the Penguin books, are good. I definately feel I have solidified my understanding of very basic, A1 to A2 level Russian by using this book. Now onward!