the following is a review I wrote.

you may not think this is funny...I'll take that chance. don't you agree the content is a bit odd on these CDs though?

My review of the Pimsleur Mandarin Chinese CD set, volume 1, on amazon.com:
I listened to the first 8 discs and learned about 70 words, but I found it helped to go against the instruction of Pimsleur and write out what I heard. I only did so after listening to each lesson at least twice or so.

I found it effective (although I haven't tested it on anyone who speaks it) and enjoyed learning some basics, but have suspicions on what they assume the listener would like to learn. I will put in a direct quote from unit 8 and you can draw your own conclusion. From the beginning of lesson 1 it tells you frequently to imagine you have met a young woman on the street, and this continues that premise.

Woman: I would like to drink some beer.
Man: I too would like to.
M: what would you like to do?
W: I would like to drink something.
M: where would you like to go to drink something? To my place?
W: I would not like to go to your place. To the hotel.

Pimsleur, I would rather not learn how to say such things.