Cuentos Chinos

Book Description

Con su habitual lucidez, Oppenheimer analiza la realidad actual y de los próximos años en América Latina, a la luz del ejemplo de los llamados países emergentes de los últimos años: China, Irlanda, Polonia, República Checa, entre otros. El autor busca descubrir quién presenta un panorama realista de los próximos veinte años y quién está contando “cuentos chinos”. Por un lado, los informes de la CNI (centro de estudios de la CIA a largo plazo) y de un alemán del Parlamento Europeo experto en A. Latina (Linkohr) que pintan un panorama desolador para la región; por el otro, los discursos optimistas de los gobernantes de estos países (Chávez, Fox, Kirchner) y de instituciones como la CEPAL. Para ello, recorre los países emergentes durante tres años y entrevista a los actores más relevantes del futuro latinoamericano (desde Rumsfeld y Roger Noriega hasta Evo Morales pasando por Fernando Henrique Cardoso y los presidentes de México, Argentina, Perú, Colombia, Venezuela y Chile, además de gente común, como ascensoristas chinos o taxistas polacos). Sus conclusiones son reveladoras, ya que si bien los informes antes mencionados resultan acertados como diagnósticos del presente, el autor se muestra asombrado por la rapidez con que ciertos países de características previas muy similares a las nuestras pudieron pasar de la pobreza y la desesperanza a la riqueza y el dinamismo. Es, definitivamente, un libro para desactivar prejuicios.

Customer Reviews:

Impactante Realidad.......2007-09-24

Muy pocos libros me han presentado una vision tan real de la situacion Latinoameriaca como lo logra Oppenheimer en este libro. Soy de Costa Rica y estamos a 2 semanas de el primer referendum de la historia del pais el cual definira su futuro con CAFTA-DR. Que manera de presentarme la impactante realidad en la que vivimos los Latinoamericanos. Es triste lo retrogodos y cerrados que son algunos gobernantes que aplauden cosas absurdas como que Venezuela celebre por cerrar sus McDonalds y al mismo tiempo China festeja porque va abrir cientos de estos alrededor de todo el pais. China se pone de rodillas por mas inversion extranjera y en comparacion, algunas influencias politicas las espantan por estos lados del mundo. El comercio y la apertura hacia la globalizacion no son opciones, son la unica alternativa.

La competitividad es la salida.......2007-09-11

Excelente libro! La sociedad latinoamerciana ha preferido seguir los líderes populistas que le ofrecen una vida "fácil". Bajo esta doctrina, los gobiernos ayudan a la gente mientras siga siendo pobre. No hay planes económicos concretos y cuando los llega a haber, cambian los gobiernos y a volver a empezar! Aquellos que llaman el libro neoliberal no se dan cuenta que la propuesta de Oppenheimer aplica a todos los modelos políticos, siempre y cuando la economía se enfoque en la competitividad. Ha entrevistado a muchos de los actores principales del desarrollo económico mundial. Muy buen trabajo de investigación y opinión.

Espectacular, lo mejor desde la hora final de castro........2007-06-15

El libro es espectacular, lo he leido un par de veces. Tambien he leido todos los libros de este autor y creo que es lo mejor que ha sacado desde la hora final de Castro. Explica bien como cuatro paises, china, polonia, irlanda y republica checa han salido del atraso en poco tiempo, cada uno con sus propios modelos, cada modelo con sus encantos y sufrimientos. Tambien le dedica buenos capitulos a todos los paises hoy en dia gobernados por izquierdas en America Latina. Es un libro muy bien escrito, por alquien realmente conocerdor del tema. No es dificil de leer, se lo recomiendo a todo el mundo.

Muy buen libro.......2007-06-04

si bien no lo he terminado me parece un libro que todos los latinoamericanos deberian leer. Escrito de una manera sencilla sin vueltas, directa, con humor y dejando un claro mensaje, hay que despertar!!.

Verdadero abridor de ojos.......2007-05-28

A mi parecer el autor de una forma escueta, precisa y totalmente desnuda de prejuicios muestra un análisis simple de la realidad político económica del mundo moderno con estadísticas fácilmente palpables. Creo que es un texto educativo que debería ser leído por los cuadros políticos mas jóvenes de nuestros países, les ayudaría a entender que las doctrinas, teorías, pensamientos, o cualquier otro compromiso intelectual son preconcebidos y no merecen nuestra imparcialidad.

Recomiendo este libro no solo como texto educativo, es ademas ameno y disfrutable, cargado de humor.

All About Particles: A Handbook of Japanese Function Words (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

Average customer rating:

Excellent Source to Find Out About Japanese Particles
Beautiful Work!
Great for any student.
Very Good Reference
Great learning book

All About Particles: A Handbook of Japanese Function Words (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)
Naoko Chino
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 4770027818

Book Description

All students of Japanese, whether they have studied physics or not, know the word "particle," and they realize that particles, like English prepositions, require a special effort to master. Thus the high evaluation of the previous edition of this small handbook, which provides all the information students need in a scant 128 pages, was not surprising. All About Particles covers 69 particles, the most common ones along with the less frequent. The particles are shown to have some 200 usages-sufficient to keep most students hard at work for a good many years. The book can be approached as a textbook and studied religiously from beginning to end. All About Particles shines: light enough to carry around, slim enough to fit into the corner of a shoulder bag, concise enough to take one quickly to the crux of the matter, it combines the best of several worlds and is priced to be affordable. No wonder, then, that wherever students of Japanese congregate, there is bound to be a copy of All About Particles around. By the author of A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns and Japanese Verbs at a Glance.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Source to Find Out About Japanese Particles.......2007-05-30

Before describing the book, a word or two has to be mentioned regarding the publisher, Kodansha International. I don't know if it's because of the policy within Kodansha, or the Japanese culture in general, but you can feel the tidiness, accuracy, and meticulous nature of each author, and the effort expended in order to convey information to the reader the best possible way.

When first starting to learn Japanese on my own, I had tried grammar texts and dictionaries from two other publishers. I found out after a couple of months, that they only cause the reader great confusion, lack a lot of important concepts, the print is often ineligible, and the sentences are in Romaji and not in the native alphabet (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji), which is so necessary in order to learn the language properly. Other Kodansha publications which I found useful for learning Japanese are Kodanshas Essential Kanji Dictionary (Japanese for Busy People)The Kodansha Kanji Learners Dictionary (Japanese for Busy People)Kodansha's Furigana Japanese Dictionary: Japanese-English English-JapaneseJapanese Verbs at a Glance (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)The Handbook of Japanese Adjectives and Adverbs (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

The material is divided into groups of particles. The most common particles are presented first. The description for each particle is divided into sections. Each section discusses a different meaning and use of the particle. The particle "de" for example, means "a place where an action takes place", "the means by which the action is performed", as well as "the reason of the action". Each section includes a heading, which describes the particular meaning associated with the particle, and then follows with three sentences each in Japanese, Romaji, and English, where this particle is used. Where appropriate, a cross reference is given, regarding the use of different particles for the same situation. For example, "ni" indicates the location of a short term action, whereas "de" indicates the location of a long term action. The particles in each Japanese and English sentence are highlighted in bold, making it easier for the reader to pinpoint it. The index is in English. Sometimes the English translation isn't the way it is spoken in the US, but I don't see it as a major drawback.

In short, I recommend it for every English speaking Japanese student learning on his or her own, or even as supplementary material at college.

Beautiful Work!.......2007-03-12

This book was indespensable in my study of Japanese. The 69 different particles are all explained and used in examples. This makes an excellent supplement for study in a class and it is even good for independent students as well. There is another book by the same author called "How to tell the Difference Between Japanese Particles." It is every bit as good as this book, but its format is different. In this book, the particles are simply explained one by one. In "How to tell the Difference," the particles are grouped according to their function, in categories like "expressions of time" and so on. Either book would be excellent, but have a look at that one before choosing, so you can study with the format best for you. I personally like this one, because I look up unfamiliar particles more than I simply study them.

Great for any student........2007-03-05

This book is wonderful. With how complicated the Japanese language is, this book has made it a bit easier dealing with all the particles and how they are used.

I am in first level Japanese and I love this book. I even bring it with me to class for reference and it has helped me greatly.

Very Good Reference.......2006-08-17

The only flaw that I could find from this book was that it had no excersices for one to practice but overall the book was great. Good explanation and contrast between particle function and usage.

Great learning book.......2005-03-11

This is a very good book for beginners, but you still have to sit down and practice the basics with it... it's very good.

A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns (Kodansha Dictionary)

Average customer rating:

A good reference
Great book for beginners
Just not quite enough
A solid reference book for beginning/intermediate students
Good as a side book

A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns (Kodansha Dictionary)
Naoko Chino
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 4770026080

Book Description

A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns is a fundamental learning tool for all students of the Japanese language, whether they be unblemished beginners or scarred veterans. With both types of struggling student, as well as for all the gradations that fall in between, there is a strong tendency, in the heat of battle, to lose sight of the essential nature of the Japanese sentence. It is for just such people that this dictionary has been created, to help them keep their eyes fixed firmly on the target and not be led astray. The dictionary contains fifty of the most fundamental Japanese sentence patterns as well as sixty-nine variations. This number covers all the patterns that are needed for levels 3 and 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Each pattern and variation is clearly defined by a formula given in Japanese, romanization, and English. Each is exemplified by sample sentences (both in single sentences and in dialogues), and each is represented in both polite and informal usage. By means of this approach, the essential nature of the Japanese sentence is clarified, and once that has been done, the many patterns and variations fall easily into place. The simple, undisguised truth is that there are only three types of sentence in Japanese, and all of the convolutions and complications that distract and bemuse the student are nothing more than modifications of these three fundamental types. The study of the Japanese sentence need not be as difficult as it is seems. A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns may be used as a reference book to look up individual patterns for the purpose of learning, confirming, or reapproaching them, or it may be used as a textbook to be read from beginning to end, providing an overview of the Japanese sentence while buttressing the student's grasp of individual patterns.

Customer Reviews:

A good reference.......2006-12-17

Since a search that brought up this book probably also brought up Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication: A Self-Study Course and Reference (same publisher) and at first glance one might be tempted to just buy whichever is cheapest at the time. It's worth noting that they are very different books.

A Dictionary... is indexed for a reader that encounters a strange construction. It is formatted in a way to facilitate looking-up strange new sentences. Japanese Sentence Patterns is indexed for someone that wants to say something in Japanese.

Thus, If you want to tell someone in Japanese that one thing would be better to do than another, Japanese Sentence Patterns will tell you how to say it. On the other hand, if you see or hear "Yukkuri tabeta hou ga kenkou ni ii yo." Then A dictionary... is better for figuring out what the person meant.

In all, both books are very much worth getting. Both serve completely different needs, they are definitely not duplicates of the same book. I gave a 3 star because I find the indexing system a bit unwieldy, not for lack of content.

Great book for beginners.......2005-03-11

This is a very good book for beginners, but you still have to sit down and practice the basics with it... it's very good.

Just not quite enough.......2004-09-13

A basic dictionary is right. This book can be used to help one deconstruct simple sentences, but any complex structures involving one or more patterns just isn't there. You won't be able to learn Japanese from this book, nor construct more realistic, complex sentences.

The book spends too much time with routine analysis of each sentence pattern and not enough really useful, complex examples that use one or more patterns together. Most of the examples for the polite speech are fairly routine and what one would expect in a text book. However the casual sentence patterns that are also provided give a more detailed look at real conversation. But these complex examples are few and far between, and sometimes quite complex to understand.

I also found the reference section of verbs and adjectives at the back lacking in detail. There were many verbs used in the book that just weren't there.

So, in all, I read it. It was okay. I wouldn't buy my own copy if I had borrowed it from someone else.

A solid reference book for beginning/intermediate students.......2004-09-06

This book is exactly what it says it is, "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns." Like all dictionaries, it is a reference book designed to supplement other methods of language learning, rather than being a text book on its own. After all, you don't learn English by reading the Dictionary!

As a reference book, it is excellent. It breaks down the Japanese language into 3 basic sentence patterns (Nominal, Adjectival, and Verbal), then shows possible variations. As it is a grammar reference, the book assumes that one is fluent in grammatical English as well, and that the readers know a participle from a predicate. Along with the basic patterns, the book demonstrates how formality/informality and men's/women's languages can influence the shape of a Japanese sentence. There are many example dialogs, showing the same conversation from a few viewpoints.

As with all decent Japanese texts, it uses Japanese kana, in this case complete kanji, when writing Japanese, then provides a romaji translation. I don't think that this is a good reference for learning new vocabulary, but a few words might be picked up here and there.

All in all, "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns" provides a good resource for what can be a confusing element of the Japanese language. Sometimes having something explained in a different manner can help it to click, and even when deciphering longer sentences, it is good to know that they will fit the variation of one of the three patterns.

Good as a side book.......2004-09-02

This was my first book to learn about the Japanese language, and I find this pretty good once I understand it's pattern. I had to re-read several times. And this is really just about learning sentence structures, not on learning vocabulary.

What I like about it is that it also includes the Japanese language and not just the English Romanji.

How to Tell the Difference between Japanese Particles: Comparisons and Exercises

Average customer rating:

a superb guide to a complicated subject
A must-have guide to a murky area

How to Tell the Difference between Japanese Particles: Comparisons and Exercises
Naoko Chino
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 477002200X

Book Description

Particles are one of the most difficult aspects of the Japanese language. This is precisely why there are a good number of books on the market dealing with the subject. Most of these books take up particles as independent entities, so that after having studies them, students are, if all goes well, familiar with the functions of the individual particles. One unfortunate side to this approach is that some of the particles share the same functions (but with slight differences), and so even though students may have grasped the general nature of each particle, they are not sure about the differences between the particles that have similar functions. Well-known language book author Naoko Chino solves this problem by grouping the particles by function, defining them, giving samples of usage, and clarifying differences. Each section is followed by dual-purpose quizzes that allow readers to test and practice their knowledge. In this way, while not replacing general reference books on particles, this book goes a step beyond them and helps students nail down the troubling differences between particles. For students who find themselves befuddled when confronting such differences, How to Tell the Difference Between Japanese Particles should prove the perfect tool to further their understanding.

Customer Reviews:

a superb guide to a complicated subject.......2007-09-07

This book does a superb job teaching the difference between closely related particles, allowing students to grasp subtle distinctions in meaning and usage.
Chino has written an excellent book - the text is very clear and concise, well organized, and illustrates each point with great examples. Students can study the particles by reading through the book and then reinforcing what they've learned by taking the quizzes at the end of each chapter. Afterwards you can continue to use the book as a handy reference guide.
The book probably isn't suitable for beginner level, as the example sentences are too difficult and many of these particles are beyond the scope of beginners. But intermediate and advanced students will definitely benefit. In the blurb, the author promises to quickly give students a knowledge of the particles that would normally take years speaking Japanese to acquire, and this is no exaggeration.
I strongly recommend this book as a great way to quickly pump up your Japanese grammar.

A must-have guide to a murky area.......2005-07-31

"I sat at the chair." "I went on school today." That is probably what most of us sound like when we start really speaking Japanese, merrily swapping around all those cute little "ni"s, "wa"s, "de"s and "ga"s. It gets even worse at an upper level when the mysterious "hodo"s and "kana"s start rearing their ugly heads. Particles are one of the most confusing aspects of Japanese, and one of the biggest road blocks to conversational fluency.

Every student of Japanese could use "How to Tell the Difference Between Japanese Particles." It is a practical, concise little book that contains a wealth of information. Unlike Naoko Chino's previous particle book, "All About Particles," this volume contains practice exercises and demonstrations of the most common mistakes of Japanese particles. It is more of a workbook, that should be followed from start to finish.

Chino takes several similar but confusing particles, such as "particles indicating time" or "particles used for comparison," then highlights the different usages of each particle, along with demonstration sentences in both English, kana and romaji. Like all good Japanese books, the emphasis is on the kana, with the romaji and English doing support work. After each chapter, there are several quizzes to test your new knowledge. The book closes with an overall test on the entire book.

The comparative nature of this book, along with the repeated quizzes, make "How to Tell the Difference Between Japanese Particles" one of the most useful Japanese study guides that I own. It serves a niche purpose, but a very useful and necessary one.

Validate Your Pain! Exposing the Chronic Pain Cover-Up

Average customer rating:

Doctors & their brutal refusal to treat pain stands revealed.
Validate your pain
Easy to Understand
ok
Validate Your Pain-Exposing the Chronic Pain Cover-Up

Validate Your Pain! Exposing the Chronic Pain Cover-Up
Allan F., Ph.D. Chino , and Corinne Dille, M.D. Davis
Manufacturer: DC Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0970844492

Book Description

"Sorry, the pain you're experiencing is most likely merely muscle related." "Your current health plan won't cover treatment for the pain you are experiencing." "We just can't seem to come with any explanation for the pain you say you are feeling."

Does any of this sound familiar? It should. These are common responses to the thousands upon thousands of individuals who suffer from chronic pain.

Now there is a book, written in plain English, that gives you the inside scoop on chronic pain. This is no antiseptic, sterile and dry piece of reading. This is a book that delivers direct, no-nonsense, in-your-face answers to the many questions plaguing pain sufferers. Here you will read about the old concept that "it's all in your head" and how to overcome that standard assumption. Learn how managed care can keep you and a solution to your pain problem apart. Here's down-to-earth, honest, insider's information on manuvering through the minefields within healthcare and how to avoid becoming just another statistic or victim.

Validate Your Pain! provides the reader with confirmation that what they feel is real and instructs one how to go about getting a solution to the pain they live with. Don't let ignorance, arrogance and/or greed prohibit you or a loved one from getting access to proper treatment. Get the help you deserve. Don't let doctors or insurance companies sweep you under the chronic pain rug.

Here is a sampling of the 17 chapters in Validate Your Pain!:
"The Doctors know Best...or Do They?"
"'It's All in Your Head' and Other Popular Fairy Tales"
"Narcotics and the Fear of Addiction: Or Much Ado about Almost Nothing"
"Chiropratic"
"Acupuncture"
"Surgery and Other Desperate Measures"
"The Managed Care Experiment"
"Stacking the Deck in Your Favor"

If you or someone you know suffers from debilitating, chronic pain, you should read this book SOON.

Customer Reviews:

Doctors & their brutal refusal to treat pain stands revealed........2007-05-10

I suffer from debilitating "nonspecific" chronic headaches. Doctors have spent four years trying, and failing, to slap a label (diagnoses) on this pain. Because it is diagnosed as nonspecific, most physicians refuse to provide me with a specific, nonnarcotic pain medication that time and experience has proven extremely effective on a regular basis. because my headaches currently remain undiagnosed, my chronic and extreme pain is regarded as suspect. The reality of actual severe pain is dismissed by doctors as imagined, psychosomatic, hyperchondrial, or "drug-seeking behavior" on my part. For the most part, for over ten years, I have not received proper, adequate or humane treatment for actual, real and terrible pain. This book has given me the key to solving this critical state of medical affairs when it comes to negligent or non-existant pain treatment that is crucial and required by myself and countless others who suffer needlessly. A concise, witty, inteligent and most importantly, an invaluable book on the subject is available. This is that book. My highest recommendation.

Validate your pain.......2007-01-09

I think this book is right on. I have had chronic back pain for years and every doctor tells me it is in my head, or I need physical therapy. If I could do the exercises they want you to do in therapy, I would nt need a doctor. The worst thing is finding someone to believe you and who is willing to do all that is possible to help. Doctors are too quick to just blow you off when it comes to chronic pain.

Easy to Understand.......2007-01-05

More geared to the US than New Zealand because of the differences in the medical insurance systems but a lot of very valuable information that would be applicable anywhere. The information about how doctors do things gives more confidence when dealing with the medical profession which can be very hard at times. Doctors become very nervous when they cannot put things into little boxes and give solutions to problems which leads to the pain sufferer being pushed out into the cold sometimes. Recent experience has shown that attitudes within the medical profession are changing and doctors are opening up to new methods of pain treatment that give the patient more hope for the future. No doubt books like this have played a significant part in this change of attitude.

ok.......2003-05-30

I found some areas helpful.

Validate Your Pain-Exposing the Chronic Pain Cover-Up.......2002-12-08

Run, limp, order it online- but DEFINTELY obtain this book ASAP if you are a pain survivor, work with pain patients or if a loved one suffers from chronic pain. This book is outstanding and sincere. I use it as an invaluable resource and I use it for emotional support. The approach is right-on-target and empowering. The utter contempt pain patients face on a daily basis from the medical community, indifferent (sometimes frustrated) and ignorant doctors and nurses, acquaintances, friends and family is appalling and barbaric.
I was recently referred to a pain clinic associated with a respected university and I went relunctantly. The two doctors I encountered were utter clowns. I knew more about neurology and medicines applicable to my situation than they did- which is terrifying. To think that people, in the most horrific of pain have no choice but to turn to these "Keystone doctors" when they are in the most desperate of situations is truly of nightmarish implications. As anesthesiologists they were already discussing "shots" before I even gave them my pain history. The doctor who took the history "zoned-out" in the middle while I related my history. I did not fit neatly into any of his boxes. As a teacher it is my job to know when someone is not paying attention. I had to resist the urge to tell him "to sit up straight and pay attention". Nor was he even following what I was saying (that is also my job to determine if a listener understands.They could not diagnose me, recognized I was bright and well-informed, and was not going to stand for any of their nonsense. They could not get me out of there fast enough and kept looking for one feeble excuse after another. Six years of unrelenting, daily pain that never goes away, is getting worse and they said I was doing "just fine". I was butchered by a endodontist who is still out there "practicing".I can barely hold down a job. The most mundane task is a major event. They couldn't wait to get me out of there which was fine with me. I am certain they could not even pass a basic logic class.
This book explains a myriad of procedures and covers countless medications. Drs. David and Chino brought to my attention a medication that is actually helping me. I have scoured the Internet in search of help but their book is packed with information I may never have found. The information is compassionate and up-to-date.
My only regret is that I live in the Midwest and cannot further benefit from the expertise and empathy of these forthright, pragmatic pain specialists.
But I cannot thank them enough.
BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!

Japanese Verbs at a Glance (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

Average customer rating:

Excellent Source to Find Out About Japanese Verbs
tedious
Excellent Foundation
Good, but better available
A sure win!

Japanese Verbs at a Glance (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)
Naoko Chino
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

Vocabulary | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 4770027656

Book Description

Japanese Verbs at a Glance is unique in its concise coverage of Japanese verbs from four points of view: conjugation, usage, compound verbs, and idiomatic expressions. This diversity makes the book a godsend to students at both beginning and intermediate levels. This book opens with an outline of verb forms, dividing all verbs into three conjugation groups. Each of these groups is discussed in terms of conjugation and tense, with numerous examples in Romanized form and Japanese script. The student is then shown how the different forms of verbs are used in everyday life, in both formal and informal situations. Included here are the proper expressions for requests, commands, permission, intention, wishes, conditionals, and habitual action. Next the student is taught how to combine two verbs into one form to express actions that in English would make use of phrases like "start to rain." Without an understanding of these compound verbs it is impossible to indicate whether an action has, for example, been taken to completion, halted in midcourse, done mutuallym undergone gradual change, or been taken to an extreme. The last chapter introduces idiomatic expressions that involve a special verb usage. These phrases require extra study and are often ignored in standard textbooks. At the end of the book is a twenty-three-page chart showing the conjugations for the most common Japanese verbs. This in itself is a tremendous boon to students. A six-page index makes the book eminently useful as a reference book. All of these factors contribute to the usefulness of Japanese Verbs at a Glance at beginning and intermediate levels.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Source to Find Out About Japanese Verbs.......2007-05-30

Before describing the book, a word or two has to be mentioned regarding the publisher, Kodansha International. I don't know if it's because of the policy within Kodansha, or the Japanese culture in general, but you can feel the tidiness, accuracy, and meticulous nature of each author, and the effort expended in order to convey information to the reader the best possible way.

When first starting to learn Japanese on my own, I had tried grammar texts and dictionaries from two other publishers. I found out after a couple of months, that they only cause the reader great confusion, lack a lot of important concepts, the print is often ineligible, and the sentences are in Romaji and not in the native alphabet (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji), which is so necessary in order to learn the language properly. Other Kodansha publications which I found useful for learning Japanese are Kodanshas Essential Kanji Dictionary (Japanese for Busy People)The Kodansha Kanji Learners Dictionary (Japanese for Busy People)Kodansha's Furigana Japanese Dictionary: Japanese-English English-JapaneseAll About Particles: A Handbook of Japanese Function Words (Power Japanese Series) (Kodansha's Children's Classics)The Handbook of Japanese Adjectives and Adverbs (Kodansha's Children's Classics)

The text is divided into four chapters. The first chapter gives a general outline of verbs. The second chapter discusses the way verbs are used. For example, there are three polite ways to ask someone to do something, three formal ways, seven informal ways, and three ways to say it in a blunt manner. The third chapter discusses verb conjugates. For example, when the verb "owaru" is added to "yomi" (reading), the resulting connotation is "the end of reading". The third chapter discusses common expressions and phrases. For example when "shika nai" is added to "iku" (to go), the resulting connotation is "the only way to go".

Each case starts with a general form of the verb in each type of expression (polite, formal, and informal), and an example with a verb in each type, all in a block which makes it easy to locate it. Then it follows with an explanation of that case, and three sections for each type of expression. For each type of expression, two or three sentences are given, each in Japanese, Romaji, and English. The stem of the verb is given to the right of each sentence.

The appendix includes two tables of different tenses of common verbs, one for each type of verbs. The index is organized in English, and includes Japanese text for each subject. Sometimes the English translation isn't the way it is spoken in the US, but I don't see it as a major drawback.

In short, I recommend it for every English speaking Japanese student learning on his or her own, or even as supplementary material at college.

tedious.......2006-03-10

This book is only good for real verb geeks. Trying to work through this book is like walking through sludge.
No imagination is used in this book - no dinner, no dancing, just verbs all the way. Turgid.

Excellent Foundation.......2005-07-16

This book is not for COMPLETE beginners; you do have to know, for example, how to pronounce Japanese, and since the verbs are used in example sentances with varying vocabulary, it would get a little overwhelming unless you have some basics down. But if you know basics such as greetings and around 20 adjectives, then this book sets forth a wonderful foundation.
Not to be rude: Don't get this book if you're stupid!
"Japanese verbs conjugate according to the suffixes that attach to the verb stem. These suffixes express a wide range of meanings, including tense, negation, passive mood, and causation." The book reads this way all the way through, and while it's not overly complex, it's also probably not the sort of stuff the average "otaku" (anime fan) would want to get into.
The book will surely be a little over your head if you're a fairly fresh beginner, but only at the start. Naoko first explains and describes the section, then gives examples in English, romaji, and Japanese, and often charts to go along with it. Thus, even if you don't understand right off, simply reading it all the way through will end you with an advanced understanding of Japanese verbs, and a strong place to build from--in a couple of hours, if you absorb info. quickly!
There is a glossary in the back which includes many verbs with their conjugations, making it a cinch to find the right one quickly.
There are a couple of typos in English, such as "teberu" on page 18 instead of "taberu," but the Japanese is always accurate and anyways the correct printings outnumber the incorrect one. ;)
And finally: this is one of the most beautiful little books I own! It may be a paperback, but it has a lovely plastic bookjacket that makes it flexible and durable. What you get out of this will be well worth what you put in!

Good, but better available.......2005-07-04

Although Chino adds a lot of information and forms about how to approach in Japanese with verbs but with some issues she's totally different comparing to other books. For example she claims that the conditional form "ba" cannot be used to express suggestions, commands or orders, and you should use "tara" instead while other writers in books published by Kodansha claim it can and "tara" is the colloquial form. Just check "A dictionary of Japanese particles" and "The handbook of Japanese adjectives and adverbs". Plus she makes mistakes by dropping out the Copula "da" in certain important subjects while it is important to mention it and to mention for example that in the formal past tense the ending "su" changes into "shi", like she mention it with ending "tsu" and does with both in the present tense. She also leaves in certain subjects the past tenses such as the progressive past tense while it's so important to know that as well.

This book is good at some point but can also be very confussing, especially for beginners in studing Japanese language.

A sure win!.......2001-04-14

I found out that one of the most important things in learning the Japanese language is vocabulary and proper verb conjugation! This book helps so much with the verb conjucgation, that it will easily become one of your more useful reference books. Another plus is the use of both Japanese text and romanji. However, I would rather see NO romanji...since in learning Japanese, romanji does nothing in helping you advance. Again, Naoko has outdone herself with this book, and I look forward to all her new Japanese learning books!

Fight Back: For the Sake of the People, For the Sake of the Land

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Fight Back: For the Sake of the People, For the Sake of the Land
Simon J. Ortiz
Manufacturer: Univ of New Mexico
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0934090033

Horoscopo Chino 2007/ Chinese Horoscope 2007 (Para Ver)

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Horoscopo Chino 2007/ Chinese Horoscope 2007 (Para Ver)
Ludovica Squirru
Manufacturer: Oceano De Mexico
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Horoscopo Chino 2007 with Poster
Ludovica Squirru
Manufacturer: Atlantida
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Communicative Japanese for Time Pressed People (Kaiwa de Manabu Yasashii Nihongo) (in Japanese)

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Communicative Japanese for Time Pressed People (Kaiwa de Manabu Yasashii Nihongo) (in Japanese)
Naoko Chino
Manufacturer: Aratake Shuppan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 4870430878

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