France: Instructions for Use*
Alison Culliford and Nan McElroy

Reviewed by Carianne Carleo-Evanglist

France: Instructions for Use*  by Alison Culliford and Nan McElroy is the perfect-sized little book for traveling. It not only will fit easily in your suitcase, but can also be slipped inside a purse or pocket for daily use. In addition to a condensed phrasebook, which will help the visitor to France communicate in a number of situations, the book is divided by sections allowing the reader to find what’s most applicable to their need at the moment. Of course it could also be read cover to cover for a curious reader.

Perhaps the most useful information are the sub-sections titled, “Worth Nothing” in green, which gives the reader more specific information, such as the amount of wine normally poured per custom in Europe and the fact that couriers can help reunite you with delayed luggage. On the other hand “ATTENTION” sections are noted in red, cautioning the reader to issues related to pick-pockets and low-fare airline issues.

Because this does not provide destination-specific information such as what to see and do, it’s not likely to replace a travel guide but can easily supplement it, or serve as a handy language tool and culture refresher for someone who’s traveled to France before.