Greek: An Intensive Course, 2nd Revised Edition

The first big surprise when you receive this text is its size and weight, but I cannot say enough concerning the excellence of this text (for its value can be measured in every ounce annd inch). However, one of the better aspects of this presentation is that it leaves virtually nothing to guess work. Essentially, every question the student may have had while plodding through the rugged terrain of alternative texts is answered in black and white as soon as the subject is encountered! Of course, this means that the student MUST READ EVERYTHING ! (yes, even the small print ... and everything ... Everything ... is explained right down to the minutest detail!). This text is definately not for the light hearted and is really intended for the serious-minded student grammarian. While there is a good deal of vocabulary presented, the emphasis is on repeated use of only a select few words (in all their numerous forms) in order to demonstrate the entire concept of Ancient Greek inflectional usage. I found this to be an exceptionally efficient and most workable technique. Vocabulary learning can be done on one's own, while the grammer must be studied intensively if one is to truly master the language. The primary emphasis is (as it shoud be) on the six principle parts. Once these are sufficiently mastered, everything else falls into place. I was also impressed with the almost immediate introduction to what are usually felt to be the more complicated aspects of the language and are therefore most often held until later or last (i.e., subjunctive, optative, etc.). But these are the more useful aspects of the language and help to lend that all important extra dimension to a comprehensive feel for the language. One of the great problems of presenting a language of any kind in textual format is that it must be represented in linear sequence. Humans do not learn their native languages in that format, nor do they successfully learn fluency in foreign tongues in that way. However, I beleive that this text does everything to counter the adverse effects of the sequential nature of textual language learning in regard to this exceeding rich and ancient language, which is exemplary in both its poetic and analytical nature. I might also add here that about 1/3 of the text is acutally a detailed appendex to be referred to afterwords when the student is ready for the more intricate (but not necessarily essential) grammatical elements. This is not a text for those interested primarily in a reading knowledge of the language. For that you might try Peckett & Munday's most excellent little text "Thrasymachus." (Refer to my review of that book under the appropriate heading).

This is a great text. I would say though, that it is not for the faint of heart. If you are trying to learn ancient greek on your own, I don't know that this text will be necessarily easy for you, you may find that you need a teacher. However it is very comprehensive. The only thing I wish is that there were a kindle version of this text. I travel a lot and it is a heavy tome to have to take with me, I would love to have it on Kindle too.

I got this book as a back up reference for my Great Courses Greek 101 which I have embarked on to teach my self some classical Greek. This book has been superb! Lots of areas of confusion were clarified with clear simple explanations such as sentence word order. I couldn't understand why the order was changing in my workbook exercises. Also prepositions that have slightly different meaning depending on the case -was there any logic to this, again this book made it clear and greatly aided my learning. I could go on and on but suffice it to say its definately a reference worth having and I'm sure it is great in a stand alone course. I also sprung for the hard cover book which feels like leather to the touch and is very well made -no regrets paying the extra

This is an excellent, well-organized introduction to Attic Greek. The descriptions of morphology and syntax are extremely clear and thorough, better than any other textbook I've looked at (JACT, Ancient Greek Alive, Pharr, Homeric Greek:A Reading Course); the Greek font is large and clear; the layout of paradigms, examples and exercises is attractive, simple, and uncluttered. Other reviewers have noted that the vocabulary included is small. I believe that was done deliberately to keep the focus on the grammar. There are plenty of exercises and some self-correcting exams including answer keys. The book would work well as a classroom text supplemented by additional vocabulary and readings. It is not very well suited for self-study except in two situations. If you have studied Greek elsewhere (I had worked through Pharr's Homeric Greek before Hansen and Quinn), then the bare bones, crystal clear grammatical review will be helpful. Or, if you have learned to read several other foreign languages and have gotten to the point that you learn new ones by reading a grammar quickly and then tackling unedited text with a dictionary, then you could use this book to learn Greek grammar.

Easy to follow even if learning on your own.

ottimo

As said an intensive course. A very big book for a big language. Plenty of exercises and mainly Greek to English, which is fine by me. Seems to cover the important topics in plenty of detail. Sadly no key. Covers important items of grammar early on.

Zufrieden

Se trata de un libro bastante completo en cuanto a gramática y léxico. Las unidades constan de listas de vocabulario con su traducción, los verbos aparecen listados con su enunciado, y hay bastantes ejercicios para practicar los conceptos que se exponen: declinación, conjugación, traducción, etc. Este libro no usa el método comunicativo, como podría ser el caso de un manual de inglés, francés o alemán. Es un libro destinado a aprender griego antiguo con el fin de ser capaz de traducir y leer textos.

Muito bom.