The Ultimate Spanish Review and Practice

Rating:
Summary: Thorough review and great practical exercises
Review: As a Spanish teacher I was delighted to find such a grammar gem on the market for Spanish students at all levels. I bought the book with the intention of using it as a guide and review of many difficult grammar concepts in Spanish and I definitely was pleased with the grammar material and brief cultural readings that are included in the book. The book covers all key grammar concepts that must be mastered in order to speak Spanish confidently and with superior grammar control. The book contains twenty-eight valuable chapters in which key grammar concepts such as verb conjugation and verb usage, tenses and moods of verbs, the passive voice and other key elements are analyzed. The heavy emphasis on verbs and verb usage is indicative of the quality of this book especially since the ability to conjugate and use verbs correctly are the key to mastering any language. The practice exercices are also very valuable and readily force the student to apply the knowledge learned in the chapter thus understanding the practical use of verbs, prepositions, idiomatic expressions or whatever the grammatical concept may be. This book is definitely one of the most handy Spanish grammar tools available and can always be used as a reference for clarification of one's queries in Spanish be it a written grammar concept or an oral query. The purchase of this grammar book will enable you to fortify your Spanish and clarify many grammatical querires. A highly recommended purchase.

Rating:
Summary: A challenge!
Review: As an adult learner of Spanish I am finding this book to be a challenge, with a variety of activities which require you to think beyond just the conjugation of the verb, for example. I recommend it for those who have several semesters of Spanish and/or a basic understanding of grammar but who are finding it hard to use the language creatively or with confidence.

Rating:
Summary: great buy / great aid
Review: Fantastic buy! Avoid this book if you have had NO experience in Spanish. However, if you've even had a little experience (through classes,etc.) then this is a MUST buy. While so many Spanish books try to make you "get by" in Spanish (teaching you how to reserve a room at a hotel, or order from a restaurant), this type of book is great for people who really want to LEARN the language. I wish they had one for Catalan!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent content + high quality paper + typesetting
Review: I agree with most of the positive remarks about this textbook.
It has (1) detailed coverage on each of its topics.
(2) Excellent + numerous exercises. They are more than your typical "Conjugate every verbs below" format. Quite a few exercises have scenarios. Lots of sidebars + cultural commentaries.
(3) High quality bright white paper + large typeface, good binding. Big format. You are definitely not getting a cheap pulp paperback.
(4) ALL the exercises have answers in the back section.
Only disadvantages: no audio materials (CD, tapes); too heavy to carry on vacation.

Rating:
Summary: This Book is GREAT!
Review: I have had a few spanish courses and I am one of the people that really like the language so I decided that I wanted some books to help me get to know the language even more. The book is great! It gives you enough exercises so that you understand the material being taught, but it doesn't give you too many so that it gets boring. There is tons of vocabulary within the book. If you are one of the people that really wants to learn the language, just as I did, then... GET THIS BOOK!! It's GREAT! If a second edition comes out, I will definately be getting one!

Rating:
Summary: Spanish Learning Made Easy
Review: I have studied Spanish at the college level before, but since then have not had the opportunity to practice speaking or writing except in informal settings with friends, while traveling, etc. So when I needed to speak with a Spanish client for business, I found my conversation and writing skills somewhat lacking. I turned to "The Ultimate Spanish Review and Practice" after having it recommended to me by a few business associates. After one month of working intensively through the book, I feel much more confident in my formal Spanish skills. The book is well thought out, organized into 28 chapters, each focusing on a different topic. Starting with the present tense of verbs and other basic language topics and progressing through the subjunctive and other advanced forms, it provides a comprehensive text to learn and perfect both oral and written Spanish. The explanations and examples of each topic are very clear, and the exercises provide a challenging test of the subject matter presented in each chapter. The short and lively cultural notes add an authentic touch to the language, and provide interesting observations of Spanish and Latin American culture. I found Part IV particularly helpful as it included chapters on common idioms and frequently found errors that have helped my conversation skills measurably. Although targeted at intermediate and advanced learners, I can see the text helping beginners as well, and I have recommended it for associates and friends. In sum, this is a very helpful and comprehensive review of Spanish.

Rating:
Summary: A good solid textbook.
Review: I have used this text for reference and to check on Spanish examples or rules. It is not a book for beginners. It really is best used in a classroom setting. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because it does not have any tapes or CDs.

It gets 5 stars for the number of exercises, but 4 stars for dicussion and explanations on how or why you should do something.
The "Practice Makes Perfect" series is better over all.

Rating:
Summary: A great way to brush up on your Spanish
Review: I took Spanish in high school and did not have to take it all through college, so I am pretty rusty. I picked up this book and it has really brought alot of what I learned back to my rememberance while reviewing concepts. Even when relating basic concepts, this book does not insult the skill level of a more advanced learner. It is very challenging and great for someone who wants to get back into speaking Spanish again.

Rating:
Summary: A challenge!
Review: I'm through with Spanish now, but in every course I took this book was an invaluable resource. All your questions are answered in an easy to understand format, and there are enough examples to master every topic. More subjects need review books like this.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I'm through with Spanish now, but in every course I took this book was an invaluable resource. All your questions are answered in an easy to understand format, and there are enough examples to master every topic. More subjects need review books like this.