Though the book might be factually correct, a good program also needs to hold the readers' interest. The book itself is black and white, the dialogue stale and unmoving, and there is very little opportunity for listener/speaker interaction. I also speak German and French, and the best way I learn is by incorporating four basic points: listening, reading, speaking and culture. The book offers the first two, but is nearly devoid in the last. I can't imagine using the majority of the conversations in real life. I gave up after 6 chapters and bought Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way with the audio CD. I'm almost through with that, and it's much better.