Greek: An Intensive Course
By Hardy Hansen and Gerald M Quinn
Review by Katherine N (Languages)
I was at the end of my first year of GCSE when I came across this textbook, and only wish I had found it earlier. The teacher on an Ancient Greek language summer school, at University College London, recommended it to us as a comprehensive and very easy to use learning aid. Although at first glance the near 900-page volume looked daunting, I soon realised that this was by far the most interesting Greek textbook I had ever come across and was inspired enough to buy myself a copy. Not only does it give you clear grammar tables, helpful vocabulary lists, explanations and examples, but it also provides you with a series of exercises (called “reviews”) and texts which give you the opportunity to test your progress. In addition to this, the textbook includes “self-correcting exercises”, which come with a helpful answer key, so you can check your work without need of a teacher. Finally, at the end of the textbook there is a comprehensive vocabulary list, both Greek to English and English to Greek, for those who have started to do prose (or verse) composition, which I found tricky.
I would very strongly recommend anyone who is studying Ancient Greek to invest in this book. If you want a clear, detailed textbook which contains within itself almost all the Greek grammar necessary to get you started and securely on your way to GCSE and A level, it is ideal. The style is lucid, logical and very user-friendly – which you will need it to be when you are in the middle of term, trying to juggle dozens of other things at the same time! It is a great textbook to use, whether for independent study, or as a back-up for your school work, or even for last minute revision.
Greek: An Intensive Course by Hardy Hansen and Gerald M. Quinn
ISBN-10: 0823216632
ISBN-13: 9780823216635
Try checking the availability of this book at your school or local library or explore second-hand bookshops and websites. You may also wish to purchase from either Amazon or Blackwell’s.
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