By James A. Kleist, Adolf Kaegi

Description

Designed as a complement to the popular Kaegi's Greek Grammar, this volume is aimed at building fluidity and ease of translation through readings, exercises, guided review of grammar, and memorization of vocabulary. The reading lessons are keyed to review from Kaegi's Greek Grammar, and progress from what are essentially drills of single words in the first pages to single sentences of increasing complexity. The lessons are supplemented halfway through by optional, connected-paragraph readings. English-to-Greek translation exercises are included after each reading lesson. A selection of more advanced readings from Ancient Greek authors rounds out the text. All readings have vocabulary, grammar, translation, and background help in footnotes, as well as a vocabulary of words frequently met in ancient Greek authors (and meant to be memorized), arranged in the back according to the individual lessons. Also included are a brief, helpful section, "Some Rules of Syntax," and two indices: a "List of Greek Words" and "List of English Words."

Special Features

• Reading lessons of increasing difficulty and sophistication, all keyed to grammar review
• Same-page footnotes provide aid in vocabulary, grammar, translation, and background
• Vocabulary for memorization, arranged by lesson, in the back
• English to Greek exercises drive home grammar review
• Supplementary connected-paragraph readings
• Brief, helpful "Some Rules of Syntax"
• Two indices: "List of Greek Words" and "List of English Words"

Author Bio

Adolf Kaegi (1856-1923) studied ancient languages and Indology, and taught both at the University of Zurich. While there, he assisted in revising Eduard Benseler's Greek-German dictionary and George Authenrieth’s dictionary companion to the Homeric poems. In 1884, his first grammar for German students of Greek was published.

Comments and Reviews

The collaborative effort of the late Greek language experts and educators Adolf Kaegi and James A. Kleist, Greek Readings For Review: First Lessons In Greek is a classic text for study of the classical Greek language, which was first published in 1902 as a complement to "Kaegi's Greek Grammar." Each individual reading lesson is specifically designed to review subject matter from Kaegi's Greek Grammar, as well as providing drills on single words and increasingly complex sentences. Additionally, Greek Readings For Review features English-to-Greek translation exercises, and optional connected-paragraph readings to fill the pages of this excellent and enduring popular resource for students coming to grips with the intricacies of ancient Greek — and a "user friendly" classroom resource that has rightfully passed the test of time.

— The Bookwatch
November 2003
The Midwest Book Review