Compania Publishing House is one of the few publishing houses based on quality. We would like to introduce you to our latest releases.

„You CAN speak Romanian“ (Romanian Language Manual for those who really want to learn it). It is a complete and complex book, designed for people who want not only to get an idea but rather to fully understand, speak, read and write this language. The author, Dana Cojocaru, is offering to motivated students, 13 entertaining chapters. Each of them represents a level of conquering the basic vocabulary and the grammar. One can find casual expressions, stuttering as well as those idiomatic wordings who make the “salt and pepper” of a language and could hardly be found anywhere else. Elements of Romanian culture and civilisation are spread throughout the text, supporting realistic authentic dialogs, genuine phraseology or quotations. They reveal a natural, lively and predominantly familiar language. All the grammar or lexical subjects are accompanied by exercises and tables. They intend to help the reader find those kind of words and expressions that usually cannot be found when you need them. The various aspects of the language are supported by explanations and translated examples. Therefore, an English speaker (be it British, American or pseudo-international) would never feel lost in the language. Repetitions and reviews more or less apparent, cross translations, suggestions on how to manage the lexicon are also a part of the lively didactic background of the text. One can describe this book as a monument of courage and pedagogical talent to put on the rails the locomotive of a difficult language and make it function. The machine has been working successfully: during several years it has been set up and practised with Romanian language students from the Duke University USA, who now speak our language, read our newspapers and books and fell in love with Romanian poetry!

„The Enyclopedia of the Romanian Literary Exile“, by Florin Manolescu, was printed in April 2003 and is already placed in the shelf - otherwise quite empty - of the important books published after 1989. The book contains hundreds of articles summarizing biographic information, complete bibliographies, histories of dozens of printings and institutions, hundreds of good quality photos, thousands of indexed names and a dignified beautiful presentation, far from the empty luxury of the printings that charm the eye and use public funds. The entire expatriate political group is present, from the left wing to the right wing, and the articles don't praise anyone, they just present all available facts and dates, favourable and unfavourable. An important Romanian erudite, working for several years in Germany, built all alone a huge, pleasant to read database, without complexes or influences of the current political practices.

Printed in July 2003, a surprising book containing a lot of information and unique illustrations, the book „Bucharest of the suburbs or the suburbs as a way of living“ is the result of nonconformist research of a young historian that had enough of an idealized past, constantly painted in praises and sepia icons. The evolution of the quarters (mahala) of Bucharest is taken out of the urbanism domination and interwoven with mentalities and the historic facts are sometimes going towards case studies, allowing us to touch the source of information: the quotes are abundant, including recent ones in the press, as well as the names and facts described by Romanian and foreign travellers. Along with classic images there are a lot of unique photographs form the beginning of the 20th century and from the interwar period (two 16 pages notebooks are included, containing big photos, on special paper), sketches and gravures, too little known, because they illustrate practices and habits considered untouchable by entire generations. A Bucharest of contrasts, catastrophies, prostitution and free madness is being reconstituted, but also one of the foreigners that brought many civilisation innovations. The oriental feel of the place and the slow growth of the occidental values, the continuous unsure transition towards „something else“ is naturally explained here. I can't do else but recommend this alive, alert book that lacks inhibitions, and inspired by themes that are finally absolutely authentic.

The books can be ordered online from here.