BOOK NOTES
A newly revised travel guide to Ukraine offers more than travel tips
"Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine," Third Edition, by Linda Hodges and George Chumak. New York: Hippocrene Books Inc., July 2000, 378pp., $16.95 (paperback).
Originally published in 1994, the "Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine" has now been thoroughly revised and updated in the new millennium. This best-selling guidebook provides essential language instruction and intimate insight into Ukraine's unique history and culture - religion, arts, literature and regional customs.
Not only does the book help to ease the traveler's journey to the country with information on visas, travel agencies, airlines, hotels and customs, but it also enriches any visit with invaluable tips on shopping, entertainment and special seasonal events. Popular tourist destinations are highlighted as well, particularly in the detailed chapters (with maps) of the cities of Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa, and Crimea.
The importance of developing a Ukrainian perspective - being knowledgeable about the language, history and culture of Ukraine, is strongly emphasized in the book. The purpose of the guidebook is made clear within its preface, as co-author Linda Hodges writes: "This book fills a need for the traveler who regards Ukraine as a destination in itself, not a stopping point of a larger itinerary. It's for the traveler who is sensitive to the differences between national groups and who appreciates the distinctiveness of the Ukrainian language, history and culture."
The introductory chapters offer a concise description of historical highlights, heroes, poets, patriots, national emblems and the anthem. In addition to crucial background information, the guidebook provides a list of recent changes in Ukraine in order to prepare the traveler for what to expect during his/her trip.
The Ukrainian language guide presented in the book consists of a large array of words and phrases accompanied by a highly comprehensive phonetic guide. The phrases are designed to cover the most basic situations that a visitor to Ukraine might encounter.
Ms. Hodges, a second-generation Ukrainian, is a freelance food and travel writer in Ames, Iowa. She has written articles on Ukrainian subjects for the Des Moines Register and The Ukrainian Weekly, and is active in Ukrainian causes on the Internet and in Iowa.
George Chumak is from Lviv. An internationally known laser spectroscopist, he serves as an assistant professor of chemistry at Clemson University in South Carolina.
Hippocrene Books, a New York-based publishing house, has published a number of Ukrainian-interest titles, including dictionaries and a collection of classical poetry.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, August 20, 2000, No. 34, Vol. LXVIII
| Home Page |