Product Description

Customer Reviews (10)

Foundation information about Ukraine
Well written, concise look at many aspects of Ukraine.I will know better after I have visited myself.

Outdated, but accurate
Although some of the information is outdated in places like Kyiv, great insight to some of the other places. I wish she had more to say about the Western (Traditional Ukrainian) half, but still well worth it.

Very good
this is a really good book about Ukraine. It talks about everything you can imagine-customs, laws, people, even jokes. Its very accurate and definately brought back some memories for me. If you are traveling to Ukraine and want some insights into ukrainian lifestyle and people this is the book for you.

Honest, in-depth, and genuinely appreciative of Ukraine
CULTURE SHOCK: UKRAINE ranks as one of the best installments of the Culture Shock series. Straightforward and very thorough, it gave this American reader a helpful introduction to Ukrainian culture. Written by an American, Meredith Dalton, who lived in Kyiv for some time, the book tells expatriates what they need to know for a smooth transition to living and working in Ukraine.

Ukraine is a very different country from the U.S., and things that Westerners would see as corruption and inefficiency are normal matters there. Dalton is very frank about how to deal with Ukrainian bureaucracy, how to maintain patience, and how to refrain from comparing everything to life back home. While she emphasizes to the reader that Ukraine may be a difficult and sometimes infuriating country for outsiders, she is always respectful of the Ukrainian culture and way of life. This is one of the few books in the Culture Shock series that are so admirably dedicated to preventing culture shock.

Meredith Dalton also tackles the delicate issue of ethnicity in Ukraine, and explains how, for some people, the country is polarised into a Ukrainian-speaking half and a Russian-speaking half. However, she also shows how the country is in most respects a united culture in spite of language differences.

I felt the section on Ukrainian cuisine could have been a bit more in-depth. Also, the book is geared towards future residents of Kyiv or Lviv, the two cities to which foreigners are most likely to move. As a result, Ukrainian village life is hardly mentioned. However, the meagreness of these topics left Dalton ample room for discussion of Ukrainian custom, etiquette, and superstition.

All in all, CULTURE SHOCK: UKRAINE is an essential resource for anyone vacationing in Ukraine or moving there. One of the best Culture Shock guides.

Definately Outdated
This book is fine if you are just starting out.I found it useful but you'll need more after this.There are many areas where even the un-educated will realized topics are outdated. ... Read more

Product Description
Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include


* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken


"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Arrived in good condition.
Interesting to read. Should be useful on the trip.

It gave me insights to Ukrainian culture and customs.

Ukraine - Culture!
I went to Kiev, Ukraine and villages surrounding Chernobyl from January 2-10.This book was a big help.I read it before I went and then took it to read on the plane.I learned not to whistle!They think it is calling the devil.The customs and etiquette guides were very helpful.

This is a good resource.
I purchased this book, based on other reviews, before travelling to the Ukraine. It was very helpful.I recommend reading it in advance of your trip. And, do remember to bring it along.

This book met or exceeded my expectations in all areas.

Very well written
What an interesting book, very well written.The book really does inform. Good to read before going to Ukraine.

Culture Smart!: The title says it all.
A great travel resource, I read this after a trip to Ukraine to better understand interactions we'd had.Boy, do I wish I had read it *before* traveling.I will make a point of seeking out country-specific books from this series to get a jump on transitioning to a new culture. ... Read more

Product Description
Examines the geography, history, government, economy, and customs of Ukraine, formerly part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. ... Read more

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Ukraine's tumultuous history has left it standing on unstable ground, wrought with the devastation of the 20th century's wars, famines, and other struggles. Today, life in Ukraine is moving forward, stepping out of the shadows of Communism and into a modern, urban, and multicultural light, finally gaining for itself a sense of national identity. Now a cultural hotspot that serves as a crossroads between Europe and Asia, Ukraine's traditions of yesterday are evolving into today's daily life and customs. High school and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to delve into Ukraine's modern society by looking at its religious practices, language conflicts, gender issues, education policies, and media censorship struggles, as well as its cuisine, holidays, literature, music, and performing arts.A thorough and unique investigation of this young country, Culture and Customs of Ukraine is an absolute must-have for high school, public, and undergraduate library bookshelves.

Coverage includes historical background, religions, language, gender, education, customs, holidays, and cuisine, media, literature, music, and Ukranian theatre and cinema in the 20th century.

A chronology, photos, and bibliography including print and nonprint sources supplement this work.

Customer Reviews (1)

A useful book on contemporary Ukraine
The book is a part of the Culture and Customs of Europe series. It provides an excellent overview of contemporary Ukraine's history, religions, literature, music and art. Together with other books in the series it might be used for comparative studies of Europe's nations. ... Read more

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Product Description
CULTURE SMART! is the series of travel guides written for the smart traveler on the go. Each volume is a quick, accurate guide to customs and etiquette. What you'll find in CULTURE SMART!:--All the essential cultural and etiquette points covered, making you confident in a variety of situations.--You'll know what to expect in each particular culture.--You'll know how to behave in specific social and business situations.--Essential attitudes and values are clearly explained.--You'll find the concise writing style makes each topic a quick, easy read.--Each has the same look, page count, and organization for reference use.--Small and light, it tucks into your pocket or purse for on-the-go use.--Culture Smart! books are written by a staff of experts who consult on world travel as a profession. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fair book and good in its class
I thought this book was pretty good overall.Those used to travel might find it lacking a bit but there are not a lot of Ukraine books out there so compared to its competition I would rate it as good.Things are changing like crazy in Ukraine though so expect a lot of out of date information no matter what book you use.

Ukraine Customs and Etiquette
Great Book.I will be going to the Ukraine for the first time and this book was very helpful in understanding the culture before I go.The examples, stories and recommendations were great and the book had the perfect depth to it.Easy reading and packed full of information! ... Read more

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Discusses the geography, history, people, and culture of this rich and fertile nation, which struggled for centuries to be independent and now faces the challenges of its freedom. ... Read more

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During the controversial 2004 elections that led to the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine, cultural and linguistic differences threatened to break apart the country. Contested Tongues explains the complex linguistic and cultural politics in a bilingual country where the two main languages are closely related but their statuses are hotly contested. Laada Bilaniuk finds that the social divisions in Ukraine are historically rooted, ideologically constructed, and inseparable from linguistic practice. She does not take the labeled categories as givens but questions what "Ukrainian" and "Russian" mean to different people, and how the boundaries between these categories may be blurred in unstable times.

Bilaniuk’s analysis of the contemporary situation is based on ethnographic research in Ukraine and grounded in historical research essential to understanding developments since the fall of the Soviet Union. "Mixed language" practices (surzhyk) in Ukraine have generally been either ignored or reviled, but Bilaniuk traces their history, their social implications, and their accompanying ideologies. Through a focus on mixed language and purism, the author examines the power dynamics of linguistic and cultural correction, through which people seek either to confer or to deny others social legitimacy. The author’s examination of the rapid transformation of symbolic values in Ukraine challenges theories of language and social power that have as a rule been based on the experience of relatively stable societies. ... Read more

Product Description
Children discover and explore the rich heritage of ancient cultures around the world through fascinating myths, legends, festivals, and stories of the culture. Detailed maps and vivid illustrations show how various people lived and what they accomplished. Each book in this popular series contains five easy-to-do art projects- complete with unique punch-out stencils for making many of the traditional arts and crafts still produced today. Ages 8+ ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Leagues Above an Activity Book!
Don't be fooled by the title--this activity book (Stencils Ukraine) encompasses so very much more than just stenciling!

For the price of an activity book, you'll not only get projects and stencils, but you'll also get Ukrainian cultural exposure, an introductory history lesson, a pronunciation key for Ukrainian words used throughout the book, a map with locations spelled in transliterated Ukrainian, and illustrations and photos depicting Ukrainian scenes.

Whether you're stretched out in front of a crackling fire or under the umbrella shade of a sprawling tree, once you turn the pages of Stencils Ukraine, you'll free fall (like Alice in Wonderland through her rabbit hole) and arrive at a land of legendary figures and folk heroes.

Working on five projects (making a bulava, mosaic, dance vest, pysanky bowl and rushnyk) with large, colorful stencils (based on typical pysanka designs--pysanky, fish, butterfly, call of spring design, spider, sun, moon and stars--and each very aptly described) will not only provide a fun, educational activity, but will also very much enhance your knowledge of Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Portions of the book are intended for classroom use--this, indeed, is an educational book in every sense of the word--from correct Ukrainian spelling to correct information on Ukraine!While in the pursuit of fun via crafts and projects, the child/adult is educated in history, a touch of geography (map), folklore, and much more.

At the end of the book is a compilation of outstanding resources that touch myriad topics and genres:books for young people, books for adults, videos, museums, and Internet resources.

Stencils Ukraine shouldn't be limited to only kids ages 8 and up--it's a wonderful introduction for adults, as well--whether they wish to learn about their Ukrainian neighbors or friends, or sample a flavor of Ukrainian culture before embarking on a trip to Ukraine.

Don't wait for an occasion to buy this book--treat yourself or a loved one today!A humdrum day will metamorphosize into an extraordinary excursion as you're exposed to ancient and living traditions of Ukraine and embark on a magical journey which takes you to an enchanted land of legends and folktales.

Stencils Ukraine definitely deserves five stars!

Kids and those young at heart may enjoy viewing 69 photos, which I took while traveling throughout Ukraine in 1993 and 1994--to see them, please visit my review of How the Animals Built Their House and Other Stories.Additionally, the website of Encyclopedia of Ukraine has lots of info about Ukrainian and Ukrainians.

Addendum: Readers, you're invited to visit each of my reviews--most of them have photos that I took in Ukraine (over 600)--you'll learn lots about Ukraine and Ukrainians. The image gallery shows smaller photos, which are out of sequence. The preferable way is to see each review through my profile page since photos that are germane to that particular book/VHS/DVD are posted there with notes and are in sequential order.

To visit my reviews: click on my pseudonym, Mandrivnyk, to get to my profile page; click on the tab called review; scroll to the bottom of the section, and click on see all reviews; click on each title, and on the left-hand side, click on see all images. The thumbnail images at the top of the page show whether photos have notes; roll your mouse over the image to find notes posted.

Also, you're invited to visit my Listmania lists, which have materials sorted by subject matter. ... Read more

Product Description
A time of innovation, creativity, and social upheaval, the seventeenth century in Russia and Ukraine saw broad religious and cultural changes. Focusing on the lived experience of individuals in Russia and Ukraine, these essays explore continuity and change comparatively and in the context of larger interpretative issues, such as popular culture, mentality, and religiosity. Providing a fresh look at religion and culture during a pivotal era, this collection lays a foundation for comparing the cultural concerns of Moscovy and Ukraine with those of Western Europe after the Reformation. It will be an important resource for readers interested in the history of early modern Europe, Russia, and comparative religions. ... Read more

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Letters from Heaven features an international group of scholars investigating the place and function of ‘popular’ religion in Eastern Slavic cultures.The contributors examine popular religious practices in Russia and Ukraine from the middle ages to the present, considering the cultural contexts of death rituals, miracles, sin and virtue, cults of the saints, and icons. The collection not only fills a void in religious scholarship, but also responds to current theoretical challenges.

Reflecting critically on the heuristic value of popular religion and on the concept of popular culture in general, Letters from Heaven is characterized by a shift of focus from churches, institutions, and theological discourse to the religious practices themselves and their interconnections with the culture, mentality, and social structures of the societies in question.An important contribution to the fields of religion and Eastern Slavic studies, this volume challenges readers to rethink old pieties and to reconsider the function of religion.

Product Description

An examination of post-Soviet society through ethnic, religious, and linguistic criteria, this volume turns what is typically anthropological subject matter into the basis of politics, sociology, and history.

Ten chapters cover such diverse subjects as Ukrainian language revival, Tatar language revival, nationalist separatism and assimilation in Russia, religious pluralism in Russia and in Ukraine, mobilization against Chinese immigration, and even the politics of mapmaking. A few of these chapters are principally historical, connecting tsarist and Soviet constructions to today's systems and struggles. The introduction by Dominique Arel sets out the project in terms of new scholarly approaches to identity, and the conclusion by Blair A. Ruble draws out political and social implications that challenge citizens and policy makers.

Rebounding Identities is based on a series of workshops held at the Kennan Institute in 2002 and 2003.

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Church and State, published by J.M. Dawson Studies in Church and State on March 22, 1998. The length of the article is 2183 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Religion and Culture in Early Modern Russia and Ukraine.(Brief Article)
Author: Dennis Reinhartz
Publication: Journal of Church and State (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 1998
Publisher: J.M. Dawson Studies in Church and State
Volume: 40Issue: n2Page: 484-485

Article Type: Book Review, Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
On the demand side, exporters and strategic planners focusing on human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts in Ukraine face a number of questions. Which countries are supplying human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts to Ukraine? How important is Ukraine compared to others in terms of the entire global and regional market? How much do the imports of human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts vary from one country of origin to another in Ukraine? On the supply side, Ukraine also exports human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts. Which countries receive the most exports from Ukraine? How are these exports concentrated across buyers? What is the value of these exports and which countries are the largest buyers?

This report was created for strategic planners, international marketing executives and import/export managers who are concerned with the market for human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts in Ukraine. With the globalization of this market, managers can no longer be contented with a local view. Nor can managers be contented with out-of-date statistics which appear several years after the fact. I have developed a methodology, based on macroeconomic and trade models, to estimate the market for human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts for those countries serving Ukraine via exports, or supplying from Ukraine via imports. It does so for the current year based on a variety of key historical indicators and econometric models.

In what follows, Chapter 2 begins by summarizing where Ukraine fits into the world market for imported and exported human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts. The total level of imports and exports on a worldwide basis, and those for Ukraine in particular, is estimated using a model which aggregates across over 150 key country markets and projects these to the current year. From there, each country represents a percent of the world market. This market is served from a number of competitive countries of origin. Based on both demand- and supply-side dynamics, market shares by country of origin are then calculated across each country market destination. These shares lead to a volume of import and export values for each country and are aggregated to regional and world totals. In doing so, we are able to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of both the value of each market and the share that Ukraine is likely to receive this year. From these figures, rankings are calculated to allow managers to prioritize Ukraine compared to other major country markets. In this way, all the figures provided in this report are forecasts that can be combined with internal information sources for strategic planning purposes. ... Read more