Rating: 
Summary: Best Non-academic ASL Book !!
Review: Although some of the vocabulary is antiquated, the holistic approach to combining grammar and lexicon (and even sneaking in the tiniest bit of culture) is the best I've ever seen for the armchair student. The line drawings are simple and reproducible for the majority of self-learners. I'm a professional sign language interpreter, but would love to see my job become obsolete. I buy stacks of these and give them out like candy for folks who offhandedly mention, "Oh, I've always wanted to learn sign language". Thank you, Late Great Louie Fant!
Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous Addition To Any Signing Library
Review: Are you a person who is interested in learning American Sign Language? Or perhaps you're someone who already knows the vocabulary, but isn't comfortable yet with the syntax? Maybe you're, like me, d/Deaf and like to kep abreast of all the resources available to potential interpreters and signers. Regardless of your reason for wanting to know more about ASL, this book will benefit you!I'll admit that the drawings are not the best, but the explanation of the sentence structure along with examples of English sentences translated to ASL really make this book worth your money and your time. Covering hundreds of signs and helping you to "think deaf," "The American Sign Language Phrase Book" is sure to help you get on your way or help you have a resource ready when someone asks for your advice. Highly recommended. :o)
Rating:
Summary: American Sign Language Phrase Book
Review: As a beginner of sign, i found alot to be desired of many books available, and VERY glad to find this one. This illistrated book shows the signer in different 'views' and this is very helpful in learning. Mr. Fant, let me know it is OK to sign opposite of the illistration, for there is no right/left sign to most. I am learnng, enjoying, and recommend the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great addition to the ASL student's library
Review: As a first semester student in ASL I found this book to be a great refernece. It does a nice job of explaining sentence structure, and to get acorss the point that ASL is not signed English. The only down side is some of the pictures are confusing as to the signs being made. I've had to reference a dictionary to verify the signing. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book With Great Examples
Review: As a multi-lingual speaking person, I found this book to be extremely helpful in learning ASL. The approach taken by Lou Fant is very natural. Children learn language by example. If they have a good example, they learn well, and vice versa. Mr. Fant's book teaches ASL the way a child would learn it, by example, and a great one at that. Despite what has been said about the book, it does teach grammar rules. However, those rules are taught more indirectly than directly. If the reader will take the samples / examples in the book and apply them to their study of ASL, success is inevitable. I do agree that the drawings could be a little clearer. Despite that small problem, the book is definitely worth the time and money. As with any endeavour, or language for that matter, ASL takes practice and perseverance. This book is definitely an asset in any individual's library, speaking or deaf.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book With Great Examples
Review: As a multi-lingual speaking person, I found this book to be extremely helpful in learning ASL. The approach taken by Lou Fant is very natural. Children learn language by example. If they have a good example, they learn well, and vice versa. Mr. Fant's book teaches ASL the way a child would learn it, by example, and a great one at that. Despite what has been said about the book, it does teach grammar rules. However, those rules are taught more indirectly than directly. If the reader will take the samples / examples in the book and apply them to their study of ASL, success is inevitable. I do agree that the drawings could be a little clearer. Despite that small problem, the book is definitely worth the time and money. As with any endeavour, or language for that matter, ASL takes practice and perseverance. This book is definitely an asset in any individual's library, speaking or deaf.
Rating:
Summary: The best ASL grammar guide for the average student
Review: Having studied ASL for 14 years, and owning nearly all the available texts on the subject, I find The American Sign Language Phrase Book the best source to begin internalizing the grammar of ASL.
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Summary: Great book for anyone wanting to converse with deaf people
Review: I found this book very helpful when my deaf friend from Quebec,Canada came for a visit. It was a constant refrence for me! Some of the photos are hard to see, but managable to figure out. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to converse with deaf people. It gives clear sentences on nearly every topic from food, outings, home, family, etc.....
Rating:
Summary: Good but not the best!
Review: I have searched for books to help in my advancement of ASL and found this book the best in giving incredible and easy understanding of American Sign Language. Previously I found the grammar of ASL difficult to grasp, but with the easy to read instruction and wonderful illustrations it is coming together. I would love to see more advanced books written by Lou Fant.
Rating:
Summary: Finally learning to hear through the silence
Review: I have searched for books to help in my advancement of ASL and found this book the best in giving incredible and easy understanding of American Sign Language. Previously I found the grammar of ASL difficult to grasp, but with the easy to read instruction and wonderful illustrations it is coming together. I would love to see more advanced books written by Lou Fant.
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