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Rating: 
Summary: Badly-needed review of classic
Review: At last a new edition of Paradigms and Exercises in Syriac Grammar! I studied Syriac at university using the previous edition (the 4th) and found it lacking. The new revision does help clarify the language considerably, tho' at heart Robinson remains, as ever, a traditional grammar book (not a bad thing). While I think I would rather use Wheeler Thackston, for a student who's already studied some Hebrew or Arabic, especially one who is going to start by spending time reading a lot of vocalized Biblical Syriac, this shorter guide will be as effective a guide as Weingreen in Hebrew or Heywood and Nahmad in Arabic. The book uses Serto script with Western vocalization throughout. It's still in handy pocket size, and one can again get it in hardback too!
Rating:
Summary: All the essentials
Review: The book carries you from the first steps to far into the language. It is easy to read and has all the essentials. With a proper dictionary like Payne Smith's Compendious Syriac Dictionary there is little else you need for classical Syriac. Beginning with the script and pronunciation it advances through pronouns, nouns and verbs in a very orderly fashion. A lot of information is presented in tables which is handy for reference. The exercises are very basic. I recommend reading the Gospel in Syriac for further excercise. The grammar does not assume knowledge of other semitic languages, but given its compactness such knowledge is recommended. You should at least be familiar with the semitic verb system.
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