Historically described as mysterious and xenophobic, Albania and its people are little known to most westerners. But they are near the center of age-old explosive Balkan conflicts With the employment of Albanian, French, Italian and many other documentary sources, the roots of Albanian civilization, the struggle of the Albanians to maintain their cultural and linguistic integrity, the impact of foreign influence on the country, and its recent move toward democracy are all detailed here.

This new addition to Hippocrene's successful Albanian library is the ideal reference tool for people who want to communicate in Albanian but have no previous knowledge of the language. Perfect for all travelers to Albania, this quick-reference book provides all the language you need for basic communication in Albanian.

Divided into three parts, this book contains:

• An easy guide to Albanian pronunciation and grammar


• A 4,000-entry two-way dictionary of essential words


• A phrasebook covering useful topics such as greetings, food and drink, transportation, and more