Literature in Art Books

In 360 B.C., Archytas of Tarentum made a model pigeon that flew by flowing steam out its tail. A humble beginning, perhaps, but it's the first entry in The Dream Machines, and it should give you some idea of just how comprehensive this book is. Every rocket I've ever seen or heard of is in here, fact or fiction, and for every one I knew about beforehand there are probably a hundred that I didn't know about until I found this book.

One of the best things about the book is that its contents are ordered chronologically. This lets you trace the evolution of spacecraft from pulp magazine covers to illustrations in popular and technical articles to serious design proposals to prototypes to full production. It gives you a taste of what it must have been like to watch all this happen in the middle of the 20th century, and it's fascinating to see all the designs that never made it off the drawing board. In particular, near the end of the book there are no less than 6 pages of drawings that trace the evolution of the Space Shuttle from a winged bullet launched from a jet-powered mothership to the familiar configuration that finally entered service in 1981. A similar sequence shows the development of the Apollo program spacecraft.

If all of that sounds dry instead of inspiring, you'll be pleased to know that all of those shiny silver rockets from the golden age of science fiction are in here, too. Some of them I hadn't seen since I was a 12-year-old watching old movies on Saturday afternoons, and there are many more that I had never seen at all. Radio dramas, television, movies, even prominent spacecraft from comic books and novels are covered.

The book is over 700 pages long and EVERY two-page spread has at least one illustration; most have three or four. The illustrations are in black & white and monochrome color, and there are several sections of full-color pages scattered through the book. Multiple orthogonal views are provided for many spacecraft, which will make this book a valuable reference for scale modelers. The reproduction quality of the illustrations is great, and the cover and binding are solid and of high quality. I know the book is durable because there is a well-thumbed copy at the local library that is still as sturdy as ever.

This is one of those books that you can dive into at random and not look up from for hours. If my house catches on fire, I'm going to grab this on the way out. It's spaceship heaven.

The first surprise for the new buyer of Ron Miller's "Dream Machine: An Illustrated History of the Spaceship in Art, Science and Literature" is that it was published in 1993, leaving the book strangely out-of-date despite being exactly what the spaceship romantic has desired all these years. My library is chock-full of books and magazines on the subject of spacecraft, and I admit with shame to having discarded older books which would now be collectors items because the spaceships depicted in them were "out of date". Something Miller's book emphasizes is that there is no such thing as an idea that is out of date. "Dream Machines" (beautiful title) treats Defoe (1705), Jules Verne (1865) and H.G.Wells (1901) who dreamed of space travel with the same dignity as Tsiolovsky, Goodard and von Braun, who made it a reality. This book's 714 pages are packed with the brilliant, the outlandish, the amusing, the thought-provoking and the real - and the almost real - spaceships which have graced humanity's longing to go "out there". The fan of early science-fiction has a rich field to explore, no less the student of hard-core spaceflight technology. Of special interest are details of the spacecraft which almost made it - the Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar, the European Space Agency Hermes spaceplane, the Russian Buran, and all the developmental designs which were considered, often discarded, with these never-to-fly spaceships. The impressive hard-cover book is well laid out, with bold-type dates and crisp drawings and a few color pages. There is some confusion about which drawing goes with which text due to minimal captions, but the generous white-space give the pages a friendly tone that allows the reader to go cover-to-cover (if one is so dedicated) or to leaf through looking for technological or impossible gems. The development and discards of the Apollo Moon project are well documented, and compared with the Soviet attempt to trump the United States in the Space Race to the Moon. The discussion of starship designs leans more to the "realistic" such as the British Interplanetary Society's "Daedalus", leaving Star Trek's "Enterprise" to get just a bit more than a mention. Many designers of spacecraft which never made the grade get their names into these pages. Author Miller has really delivered a work of love here. Strangely though, the reader's final emotion is one of sadness and loss. Here is all this brilliance, designing machines that could really take us off the Earth to however far we wish to go, yet few - very few - have become a reality, and usually by the power of short-sighted politics which beggar the vast vision of so many of those whose works are described in this book. If you dream of the Solar System and the stars, you need this one on your shelf.

I can't believe how fantastic this book is! I got it for christmas and have a hard time putting it down. Considering the weight of this encyclopdiac work that's saying something. Pound for pound worth it's weight in gold or platinum! Only a few notable omissions that I would have liked to see (ie. "The Valley Forge" from Douglas Trumbull's "Silent Running" ) Probably the most amazing relvelation is that many current designs have thier genesis back in the late 40's ! Truly a must have for anyone who dreams or dreamed of interplanetary voyages!

Comment: Sensational chronological roundup of text, photos, and sketches of virtually every spacecraft and launch vehicle design every conceived but never built. A gold mine for space-struck baby boomers.

Exellent book for any rocket or sci-fi enthusiast. The illustrations and drawings bring home man's facination with the heavens. I have read numerous publications concerning rocketry, and by far this is the best book I have yet to see published to date. I was blown away by the sections, 'The Archaeology of the Spaceship', and 'The Experimenters'. All dealt with rocketry ante-WWII. There are also page after page of NASA concept vehicles that were never flown, including several pages of Apollo and Space Shuttle designs that did not make it to the lauch pad, but yet look like they are ready to just rocket from the page. This book would be a great source of information for those who scratch build model rockets. Color illustrations, 3 view diagrams, an appendix of U.S., Soviet, and international lauch vehicles; what more could one want? If I could only own one rocket book, this would be the book I would chose over all the rest! Buy this book, heck buy 2 and give one to a friend!

Lucy, Susan, Edmond, and Peter while exploring there uncle's house discover a wardrobe that takes them to the magical enchanted land of Narnia. Lucy becomes the first one to go into Narnia from the four and later they all follow her. In this book you'll see how Edmond helped the terrible witch catch his brother and sisters, and the strange creatures they all met like Aslan, the centaurs, and the talking trees. You'll love this book like me and all my friends did! I recommend this book to anyway who love fiction stories of enchanted worlds. If you liked "the phantom tollbooth" all "Narnia" books "A wrinkle in time" and other stories similar to these, this is one book you'll always treasure!-------------age 12

I am an elementary teacher, and find this book very useful when we read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a class. Many of the worksheets that this guide provides are introspective and help the reader focus on the internal motivations of the characters. My class also enjoys trying "Turkish Delight" from the recipe that this guide provides. It helps me answer the professor's question about logic, "What are they teaching in schools?" (paraphrased).

A must read. It's not boring at all. You will simply enjoy this book

I used this for homeschool co-op class.There is pre-reading ideas and the book is broke into 5 sections. So you can do projects in reading of every 3-4 chapters. There is quiz and journal topics. And Post reading ideas.

I'm a 4th grade teacher and have been teaching this book for more than a decade. All of my students loved this book and go on to read the sequels.

This book should be passed down as an heirloom. I am so proud of all the talent in this book. It would make excellent gifts and it's for such a worthy cause. SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE!!

Best Anthology of the Year

Everyone loves a good pot of gumbo for its unique blend of different ingredients filled with a spicy great taste and satisfying indulgence. The Gumbo for the Soul Anthology is the best recipe for success and encouragement in support of literacy in The African American Community. The roux for this gumbo is the intelligence and insight of several authors in a collection of poetry, short stories, essays and other forms of creative expression. Don't forget to pick your copy today you are guaranteed to be filled with motivation and self determination after reading this anthology.


Peace and Love

Gumbo, A Potpourri of Literary Treats

As any good cook will tell you, when you combine a cup of this, a pinch of that to a recipe, it will enhance the flavor of whatever you're cooking. Well, the same holds true for the ingredients included in Gumbo For The Soul, The Recipe For Literacy In The Black Community. Beverly Black Johnson has taken a pinch of poetry, a cup of essays a handful of testimonies and a drop of gumbo recipes to complete a literary gumbo fit to feed an entire community. We have a saying down south that when asked what's in our gumbo, we respond by saying, "Everything, but the kitchen sink!" You can see evidence of this by checking out my family's gumbo recipe listed on page 219 and see that there are as many variations of gumbo as there are ingredients to put in them. In Gumbo For The Soul, with its assortment of poems, essays, testimonies and recipes, there's surely something in there to whet your literary appetite, as you savor the flavor of your own gumbo recipe, or experiment with one of the recipes included in the book.

African Americans have a unique heritage and distinct culture which supports the saying - "it takes a village to raise a child". This collection of stories, poems, essays and testimonies offer direction, comfort and flavor for the village. As you read and reflect on the recipe for literacy presented you will be filled with pride, encouragement and drive to do more for those in your family and neighborhood.

Who did you look up to when you were young? Who took interest in you and provided motivation for you to reach for the stars? How did you get through that terrible college algebra class? Most of those from the old school, will say it was a parent, auntie, uncle, school teacher or church member. Surely, there was someone that provided insight on the difficult times and praises during those celebratory moments. What happened to the love freely given in the "hood"? Let's take it back by sharing the stories of warmth and devotion from those folks in the village.

GUMBO FOR THE SOUL should be standard reading in every household. The vast knowledge on education along with the promise that proceeds will support literacy definitely benefits our community. Invest in yourself today, purchase GUMBO FOR THE SOUL and support the village in which we all belong.


Deltareviewer
Reviewing for Real Page Turners

This was a wonderful book that I recommend to everyone, especially those in the Bay Area of California! Proceeds will fund the Gumbo For The Soul Literacy Program & Scholarship Fund based in San Jose, California. Comprised of stories and essays that celebrate our commitment to the education of our children, this anthology is a must have for anyone looking for inspiration. Great for teachers seeking to enlighten students or for parents looking for alternatives. Do your family and community and purchase this book ASAP!

Hillary Duff does rock and this book does so aswell rock, i am a huge fan of Hillary Duff, and this is the best book ever written about her. It's easy to read too.

There have been many biographies about Hilary Duff lately, and I must say that this one is very good. It doesn't exactly dive into the depths of her life too much (it does give you some basic autobiographical information, however), but there is a lot of great information about her movies, singing, album, and possible future. Plus, there are tons of great-looking glossy photographs that will satisfy any devoted Hilary Duff fan. The style is sophisticated and written well, but not in an annoying teenybopper-ish way. Whether you're a huge fan or just want to read more about Hilary with some good pictures, this is a fabulous book.

I am A HUGE-------- Hilary Fan and I love this book!!!!!It has great pictures and accuate facts and it is just great I Love it and trust me it makes a great gift for any Hil fan!!! :)

This book is absolutely rocks! The cover is the coolest picture I have ever seen of Hil! I wish there was a way to buy a print of the cover as a poster. I have Hilary Duff's 2005 calendar, which has some rad pictures, but this cover shot totally rules. Great book and lots of awesome photos.

this book is a must have for all hilary duff fans. it is really good and gives you loads of information. it is great for all ages and i love the front cover.

In nine chapters Marilyn Yalom covers European and American attitudes and use of the female breast from the earliest cities of the Near East to the end of the 20th century. The book is very Western in it's focus, so not a comprehensive history. However, if you know that then you will find a good solid historical approach to an symbol and a body part that has played a huge role in art, literature, politics, religion, and even economies. Generous use of images and quotations are helpful in demonstrating how historians reason and use evidence without making the book very appealing to those looking for a sexual thrill. Overall the book is arranged both thematically and chronologically when possible. This is a book I could have undergraduates read as a feasible example of how history can be interesting and still be focused on the discipline's methods.

Yalom's book meets the highest standards for careful academic work, and, as a source, will turn out to be the standard for investigation into the subject in the future. But the appeal is broad and will engage the general reader, the historian, the physician. In short it is a good history, a good cultural study, and a good read. Fine writing, intriguing illustrations dilated to include such diversity as the political breast, the surgical breast, the nursing breast, the pornographic breast. An excellent analysis.

With a wonderful blend of serious history and modern humor where appropriate, the author presents a thought provoking run down on the history over 25 centuries and the photos of Annie Sprinkles Bosom Ballet on page 268 made the purchase worth every cent.

As the author wisely notes that Westerners assumptions about the breast is often wrong, and that Non western cultures have their own fetishes be it small feet in China, the nape of the neck in Japan, the buttocks in Africa and the Caribbean. That through out western history the breast has been viewed as good and bad, and by men mostly and religious men in particular.

The book is excellent in showing how the breast has been used to depict power and justice be it in war posters (Bosoms For The Nation) or the lady of justice with one breast exposed. To breasts used to sell products or alas slaves. (The commercialized Breast) How the whole idea that breasts were owned according to some by the husband, or were considered babies domain. That it wasn't until the women's movement that women demanded that what was on their bodies belonged to them to do with as they wished, be it nipple piercing, nudity, no bra etc. (The liberated Breast)

There are photos of mastectomy survivors and lord knows dozens of bare, exposed, all size breasts, which I assume the reader would expect in a serious book about the human breast.

It is a book I am so glad I bought. Also check out her excellent History Of The Wife book.

Marilyn Yalom has a fascinating way of blending history, culture and personal stories in her new book. It reminds me of what Ken Burns has done in some of his documentaries, where you learn as much about life in the times as you do about the specific topic. The book is a wonderful and easy way to learn about the wife in different times, cultures and religions, and also the possibilities of what it might mean to be a wife in the future. Excellent reading.

Marilyn Yalom (her latest work, History of the Wife, is spectacular) shows her characteristic style of humor and scholarship in history of the breast. Relying on both art and personal accounts, Yalom goes era by era detailing various Western cultures' attitudes toward the female body and specifically the breast. She spends a great deal of effort detailing modern concerns like breast cancer treatment and breastfeeding controversies and with the background in the first half of the book, the reader is easily able to see how current attitudes have been shaped throughout history. An excellent book for the social historian, women's studies person, or art historian.

Our Bible study group began this book in late fall 2007. We were looking for something that would encourage our spiritual growth, and one that would allow for sharing our insights as we studied together. This has probably been the best study we've done together - it's created an excitement in meeting, and there has been real growth - spiritually and numerically as well. It opens Scripture in a unique and thoughtful way, causing the members to really think about it.

I am a new christian and find this book speaks to me through the writer's words. I am finding myself anxious each day for the time to draw near to God through this author's words. I have never read any of her other books. I find this book makes me look at my life like I have never looked at it before. It makes me look at God as I have never dreamed possible. I am ordering 15 copies of this book and we are going to have a 9 week devotional on character at my church on Tuesday nights. I have showed it to other members of my church (only 98)and all interested will be taking the class with me. Whether you are now a christian or just became a christian I think most all would feel the same way after reading only the first chapture. You can not get enough of it.

I knew when I ordered this study I would be facing a great spiritual challenge and I am. As a christian I know of the Sermon of the Mount and it's great blessing but this study digs very deep and very deep into my walk with Jesus. It was a painful journey at first and very humbling, even unto tears, but there is great joy in these beatitudes that I had been missing. If you want the "truth" about God and your heart, then prepare yourself for a great study!

Kay Arthur is an amazing author that is truely blessed by God. Having grown up in a home that didn't have God and was completely in the ways of the world, I discovered I need to do a lot of changing once I became a Christian and this book has totally helped me to not only discover the changes I need to make, but the scriptures I need to read to help me make the changes. I have since bought several more or her Bible Studies and cannot wait to get into them.

This book has changed the way I now study the bible. When someone else is reading/teaching out of the bible, I am much more aware of the full understanding and I want to study it in an inductive way. I have never read the bible or studied references like I do now: since reading this book.

This was our first book by Greg Tang, and I loved it so much, and can not wait to get my hands on more of his books. My son loves math, and I am always looking for new ways to challenge his thinking about the subject. This book is by far the best I have come across for that type of reading. I love the fact that the author was able to take two subjects, math and art, and intertwine them so that kids are really learning about two things at one time. The rhyming verses that he uses to set up the clues for number groupings is very, very nice as well. It is a great concept book. You will love the art, and you will love the way he gets kids thinking about art through math, and visa versa. It makes math fun for kids. 5 HUGE stars for this book!

My 4 year old LOVES this book. She will often stop me during mid read to clap her hands and tell me how much she loves it. We started out with just getting one way to make each desired number and are working our way closer to getting all of the possible ones. I love how she has gone from random guessing to being able to predict and look for the correct grouping. She is also realizing when she has made a mis-step and needs to try a different combination. Since we now need to keep track of our correct solutions, she is learning more about writing numbers and her first few mathematical symbols. The art is fun too. Thank you Greg Tang!

Before reading the book and playing with it with my kids, I was going to give this a lower review, but despite my dissapointment for having little value teaching about artwork, it's a great book. There is so much math in many masterpieces and it would be amazing to have a book that used different great pieces to illustrate this (for instance, patterns, which is a grade 1/2 math lesson is easily taught using Mondrian). This book does not do this at all, in fact, the artwork is just pretty backdrop to the math learning and grouping. So, I guess my bone to pick is the illusion that the reviews gave that this taught something about art, it doesn't, but it is a neat formula to teach math.

Greg Tang encourages his audience to develop number sense in a lively way. With the help of this and his other books, you can encourage your students to develop a more fluid approach to math. I have used many of his books in my classroom, and find it is best to pre-teach his way of combining number sets before reading the book aloud (just a short lesson).

After introducing several of his books last September, I spent the rest of the year listening to students' spontaneous explanations of how 13 is really just two sixes and one more, or 5 + 8 which is really 5 + (5 + 3), but it's easier to see it as (5 + 5) + 3, and so on. When kids catch on to what he is doing with numbers, it is hard to get them to stop...but why would you want to?

I love this book and have shared it with colleagues! What a great idea to combine math and art, and what a great way to tackle problem solving which is not always a favourite with kids! For teachers, it helps us cover two subject areas at the same time which we greatly appreciate. When I saw the cover of this book, I was instantly intrigued. I liked the fact that it's suitable for all age groups -- older students may appreciate the art history aspect more, but the rhymes appeal to all ages. The illustrations jump out, are appealing and make math more interesting. When I showed this book to some of my students, one instantly said that it was "neat" because everyone came up with a different way of getting the answer yet everyone was right, to which I responded with a delighted smile!

This book is really unique. It's written from the point of view of Jesus, as if he's writing you a long and VERY personal letter. He tells us what kind of relationship we should have with him, and why. Hearing all this from the perspective of Jesus is quite jolting. You have to stop and reflect every few sentences, and the book becomes almost a dialog, even a prayer. There's no new theology in the book; I'm not even sure there are any new ideas. But the manner in which the ideas are expressed makes them hit home, really hit home. Spiritually challenging and uplifting!

This beautiful book answers the question "what would it have been like to actually listen to Jesus talk directly to you." The words of Jesus reach out from the pages and embrace your heart. You will want to read it many times.

Have you ever had someone look inside of your soul and know what is going on? Me neither, but this book My Other Self really touches me in every spiritual way possible. It eases the every day storms that rage within us as we go about our daily lives. The only thing that would be better than reading this book would be to have someone else read it to you or have it recorded so that you could close your eyes and see what is going on. It is a picture painted with words that only the heart can read. It is a true blend of morality and poetry. The book toggles between Jesus Christ and you (the reader). With this book you can sit back and listen to what God may be telling you at this very moment. But remember to proceed with an open mind and an open heart. Don't let everyday persecutors and skeptics keep you from judging for yourself. It is a very easy to read book which contains messages for believers and non-believers of Christ. There are messages of morality that keep the human heart warm and tender. It's a book that will make you walk away with a peaceful feeling about yourself and the world around you. I will leave you with an old thought that plagues people's minds but doesn't have to. "If there isn't a God then what have we lost (something we never had), but if there is a God and you fail to have a pure heart what have we lost? (An eternity together my friend.)" Let this book work for you as it has for me.

I have read many spiritual books, but this one it one of the best. It is as if Christ is speaking to you in the modern day using Biblical principles. My suggestion is to read one chapter per day and think about that chapter and the message in it for you. It is one of those books that you will want to read a little at a time, and once you finish, begin reading it again. It has a wealth of sound practical spiritual advice. I take it with me so I can read it when there is spare time. I tend to be a bit hard on myself, and this book has helped me to be less anxious.

I've personally given away over 50 copies to friends and strangers. No one ever had anything but grateful thanks.

I am Jael... and I'm so thrilled with the overwhelming success of my first book, _Perceptualistics_! This book, packaged and designed so beautifully by Paper Tiger, contains not only wonderful samples of my illustrative work through the last twenty years, but the "now discovered" Perceptualistic pieces, that I've been painting throughout my entire lifetime. I thank everyone who has supported this, my first publication, and encourage you to keep traveling within your mind. Dream your dreams of worlds and journeys that are real, but perhaps as yet unexplained. Nurturing, personal, comforting realms in which to retreat, are very much needed for us in this world today. Jael

"Perceptualisitics" is a magnificent gift to the reader. But beware, you "won't find a banana in the middle of each painting..."

That quote captures the essence of a Perceptualistic painting, if such an exercise is even possible. There is nothing literal about these paintings, and a casual observer, expecting to "see" a clearly defined image or a pictorial story in them will be challenged. And that, dear reader, is exactly why you should own this book and drink in the intoxicating visions it contains.

But let me segue for just a moment, for while the Perceptualistic paintings alone are an experience that will engage and enthrall you, there is so much more to this book that make it a compelling "must have."

It is eminently readable. John Grant's prose is both succinct and lyrical, and his biographical rendering of Jael invites one into her world in a way that is palpable and enjoyable. Rarely does one find oneself wanting to finish the text in an artbook before viewing the illustrations. Reading about Jael through Grant's eyes and ears made me want to know more. If there is a shortcoming here, it is because one finds onself wanting an even more intimate and extensive portrait of the artist.

Jael's paintings, regardless of the genre, are superb. Those seeking to view her Science Fiction and Fantasy illustrations will not be disappointed. Her work is among the best in the field and begs comparison to no one. Jael stands among the pantheon of "great ones" in the SF&F area.

However, dear reader, Jael stands alone with her Perceptualistic paintings, and she stands on a lofty plane indeed.

Each Perceptualistic painting beckons the viewer to explore. That exploration might be an inner vision, a transporting to another world or level of awareness, an opening to endless possibilities and insights. In a way, these paintings are gateways to perception, and that perception may change with every viewing. Can you think of any other artist who can offer you such a journey? I cannot.

I thank John Grant for his warm and vibrant words, obviously written with much caring. I thank Jael for this incredible gift to the public, and for opening her heart and her life, if only for a glimpse, to those of us who can only dream of such creativity.

Final thanks must go to the publishers, not so much for having the boldness to go beyond the trite and conventional nature of many "artbooks," but for recognizing creative genius and giving the world an opportunity to share in it.

Jael is a genius. Her genius comes from the heart, the dwelling place of all true genius, and that is a wondrous gift to us all.

Open your heart and prepare to expand your universe, dear reader, and buy this book!

As a former webmaster for the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists, I had the pleasure of working with Jael to produce one of ASFA's Chesley brochures. This led to my becoming her webmaster. Until that time I thought she was a very talented illustrator having only seen the images that she has painted for covers and interiors of science fiction and fantasy publications.

While putting together her webpage she introduced me to examples of artwork that were unlike anything I had seen with the SF/F genre. These images cannot be considered illustrations. They are more than that as they evoke emotions and thoughts that transcend the physical plane; transporting one into higher planes of existence and depicting mindscapes of such vast and incredible beauty that the mind finds itself at a loss for words. These vistas can not be described. They can only be experienced.

With the publication of this book everyone can now own reproductions of these of these pieces of 'Fine Art', painted by one of the finest artists alive today. A must own book for every collector.

I've been familiar with Jael's super illustrations for a long time, but nothing prepared me for this book of her work, which concentrates largely on her fine art -- fabulously imaginative paintings that have almost all never been seen in print before. It's nearly impossible to describe them, because they don't obey any of the inhibiting rules that other fantasy artists tend to adhere to. This is a real breakthrough book, and the kind you'll want to buy extra copies of to give to your most special friends. It's lovely!

This book may be your only chance to see an extraordinary body of work from fantasy and sf artist Jael. Well known for her bookcovers, Jael (who goes by only her first name), had been doing an series of personal works over the last 40 years while she fulfilled the demands of motherhood and a busy artistic career. Not abstracts, not realistic paintings either, she calls them "meditations" or "journeys". They are unlike any other major paintings done in the 20th century; and while this book is beautiful, it doesn't do the original works complete justice--I had the privilege of seeing a couple first-hand, and they are stunning. Since Jael considered these personal works and "too odd" for public consumption, she had never publicised them before or even kept good track of the occasional times when she would sell one of these amazing works. The reproductions on page 40 and 54 hint at the splendor of the originals, but many of the illustrations of the perceptualistics were re-created from small slides, though Jael herself worked to restore them to something close to the original. The text is also delighful, since Jael has had a long, interesting (and rather inspiring) life. My hope is that this book will inspire a sequel, and that some of the owners of the perceptualistics will come forward for new scans of the treasures they own.

Having just finished Book 1, and begun Book 2, I can say without a doubt that it was primarily this text that enabled me to make the progress I have. I have examined both this series, and the Athenaze, and would very much recommend this one, not becuase it is better, per se, but because it is more rewarding. Indeed, I have finished just one year of a language, and can already read one of its most famous authors! To a highschool student who has already taken 5 years of another language, and still cannot read classic Spanish literature for want of elevated course rapidity, this is astounding. I will say that this pace does require some level of devotion. There were times (around sections 25-30, and again at sections 50-60) when I was convinced that I could go no further. Yet, I have made it to Book 2, and say that anyone else can as well, just so long as they put the work into it, persevere, and occasionally can talk to a good tutor. This last point is really the key. I find this text far more useful than the Athenaze, but I must also relate that, as with any language, it is best to learn it at least partly from one relatively "fluent" in it. A tutor is a must for almost all. With that said though, I will restate the fact that this is a wonderful and rewarding text to study from, and one that will undoubtedly amaze any who would never consider themselves able to read ancient Greek. Just give it a try--as long as you stick to it, you will eventually succeed.

This is a three-volume set of large paperbacks that will teach the motivated beginner Homeric Greek.

Most of the grammar is introduced in the 120 lessons in volume 1. The lessons are short - about 5 or 6 vocabulary items are introduced, along with a grammatical point or two. There are not a lot of examples given for each grammatical point, but this is made up for with the exercises. Each lesson, in addition to the reading selection, has translation exercises, both English to Greek, and Greek to English. Volume 2 has another 100 lessons or so, mostly annotated readings. Volume 3 is the "Teacher's Manual and Key". It contains translations of all the reading selections, and the answers to all the translation exercises. There are also tests for each lesson, with the answers provided. The presence of the answer key (translations and the answers to the exercises) is what makes this series excellent for those learning on their own; students get both practice in the application of the grammar, and feedback on how well they have learned the material.

A background in Latin is obviously helpful, but not required. The cultural notes, quotes, and historical information help keep interest high. Obviously a text meant for use in Catholic / Jesuit schools, it's a refreshing throwback to the days when the classics were respected, and "dead white men" were not politically incorrect.

Homeric Greek is not an easy language. But if you're motivated, willing to keep on pluggin', do the exercises faithfully, you'll end up with an excellent knowledge of this difficult but beautiful language.

This excellent 3rd edition, including some well-chosen revisions and supplements, retains all the advantages of Schoder and Horrigan's measured approach while improving typography and readability, expanding the (extra-Homer) readings, and speaking more clearly to the preparation-deprived student of our time (earlier editions pretty much took for granted conceptual understanding of grammar and syntax). The book's pace is excellent and so is its well-phased introduction of new concepts as the student progresses. Self-correcting exercises are also included for the first time. Selections from the Odyssey begin halfway through the book, after the student has acquired sufficient knowledge and cultural background to appreciate them.
Highly recommended. I hope that Collins Edwards, the reviser, is even now working on Book 2, last republished (2nd edition) in 1986.

"A Reading Course in Homeric Greek" is a wonderfully-written text, filled with warmth and wisdom. This is a key to the genetic code of Western Civilization!

If you want to read ancient texts in Greek, the best way, now pleasantly-surprisingly feasible with this book, is to start in Homer (however many individuals you believe actually composed the works under that name). I say this for two reasons:

1. Literarily, Homer's works function in almost all ancient Greek and Roman literature in the same way that the King James Bible and Shakespeare's works function in English literature.

2. Linguistically, it's always easier to go forward in time through linguistic changes than to go backward. English speakers today have to work at first to get the right feel for Shakespeare's English, and even the later ancient Greeks (after the time of Alexander the Great) depended on their scholars to explain "difficult" parts of Homer's language for them.

This textbook is good. It rewards you with frequent, and real, accomplishment at each step. However, if you're a complete beginner in Greek who has never "declined" nouns and adjectives in any other language, you'll get much better results by taking a class based on this book or else by meeting frequently with a qualified private tutor. If you are comfortable declining nouns, and you are able to teach yourself a language efficiently, you can profitably work through this book on your own.