C. A. E. Luschnig

I have a long history with this book. I used the last preliminary edition (offset, spiral bound, green paper covers) when I first studied Greek in college. The first actual published edition (Scribner's) came out shortly after that. I got the second edition recently. I haven't taught Greek in almost five years and that was koine. The paradigms are fading; occasional reading doesn't keep up all the details and certainly not any active knowledge of the language. So time to go through Luschnig show more again, reciting the pardigms and doing the exercises.

The outline is still pretty much the same as I remember. Fourteen long lessons, that should have been divided into at least twice that number. Pretty good explanations of grammar, good lexical notes, a lot of short bits of real Greek literature to read. Not enough repetition in the exercises as you go along. Not the worst ancient Greek textbook; not sure that I would call any of them really good. It's okay and it's what I am used to. When I taught Greek to theology students, I used John Dobson's Learn Biblical Greek; natural language method, light on grammar, but good for adults who want a basic reading knowledge of NT Greek in the shortest possible time. Dobson is definitely not the best for anyone who plans on doing serious work in Greek, but it worked for my audience.

After I work through Luschnig, I really should read through a serious Greek Grammar. show less

Quamuis epistulas ultimas duas flocci faciam, placuit tamen libellus. Idem epistulas tam iucundissimas maximique momenti continet, quin etiam faciles lectu (Plinii praecipue), ut iterum iterumque repetere uelis. Etiam proderunt nitentibus appendices, quum grammaticae quid necesse sit in iuuandum contineant.

I like Luschnig a lot. The way she introduces real Greek early and often is excellent.