An Introduction to Koranic and Classical Arabic: An Elementary Grammar of the Language

Rating:
Summary: warning: very traditionally oriented
Review: this book is well-organized, and utterly without editing mistakes -- a real refreshing change compared to basically all other books on arabic that i've seen. however, it teaches you **koranic** arabic. this is NOT the same as "modern standard", and this book is not very helpful in learning any variety of arabic used today. the vocabulary, grammar and exercises all have a very strong koranic tilt, and this is not what you are looking for, you will be disappointed. also, the teaching method used is the very traditional "grammar-translation" method, which is not for everyone. however, this book makes a great reference for those who really want to learn straight classical arabic circa 600 AD, or for those who are interested in arabic from a historical-linguistic perspective.

Rating:
Summary: warning: very traditionally oriented
Review: this book is well-organized, and utterly without editing mistakes -- a real refreshing change compared to basically all other books on arabic that i've seen. however, it teaches you **koranic** arabic. this is NOT the same as "modern standard", and this book is not very helpful in learning any variety of arabic used today. the vocabulary, grammar and exercises all have a very strong koranic tilt, and this is not what you are looking for, you will be disappointed. also, the teaching method used is the very traditional "grammar-translation" method, which is not for everyone. however, this book makes a great reference for those who really want to learn straight classical arabic circa 600 AD, or for those who are interested in arabic from a historical-linguistic perspective.

Rating:
Summary: tough book, but a tough language, too
Review: Wheeler Thackston's book has no peer. There are many good books on Arabic grammar, but I know none that explains the language as clearly, honestly, and pitilessly as this. It's rough going and tough to use, but only because Arabic itself is an awfully difficult language. Other books that try to ease readers into the language through simplifications and inexact descriptions ultimate do the readers a disservice. If you want to learn to read classical texts, get this one.

Rating:
Summary: tough book, but a tough language, too
Review: Wheeler Thackston's book has no peer. There are many good books on Arabic grammar, but I know none that explains the language as clearly, honestly, and pitilessly as this. It's rough going and tough to use, but only because Arabic itself is an awfully difficult language. Other books that try to ease readers into the language through simplifications and inexact descriptions ultimate do the readers a disservice. If you want to learn to read classical texts, get this one.