Persian Grammar: For Reference and Revision

This is one of the best texts available for Persian grammar,and quite inexpensive for the content (now that it is in paperback). All example sentences appear with translations, and perhaps 95% of them also with transliterations. Stress is unmarked except in certain examples, but there is a thorough chapter devoted to the stress rules. This is not a text which is divided into lessons, and it uses a minimal amount of vocabulary in the examples (there are no excercises or readings). However, the topics do procede in a logical fashion, with the script and pronunciation chapters in the beginning, and with syntax and formal/arabic constructions towards the end. There is an index and an excellent internal reference system, but no glossaries (as it is not a lesson-text). I should also add that Mace takes great pains to explain grammatical concepts with little linguistic (read: normal) terminology. Personally, I had expected the book to use accepted linguistic terms for everything. The only section of the work in which this decision proves problematic, though, is in pronunciation, which is very vague and English-comparative. One would expect a more appropriate treatment from a Routledge Publishing grammar. Lastly, Mace makes amends for many of the outdated forms in his "lesson" book which he wrote for the TY series, this time pointing out forms that are outdated and ones which are standard literary. Where differences between literary and accepted colloquial occur, mixed examples are given from the start. I have not found the same frequency of errors and typos, either. In summation: -clear, large-type examples in script/transliteration/translation -includes a section on Persian handwritten styles -several lovely photographs included with captions (also translated) -irregular verb forms treated in an appendix -layman's terminology -very easy (if idiosyncratic) reference system between sections of the grammar

Definitely the best introductory Farsi book I have seen. The easiest to work through, although I believe it is absolutely necessary to be painstaking about finishing each and every one of the numerous exercises provided. It is very nice to have a key provided for each lesson (this is the major downfall of Thackston's book, be nazer-e-man). Some errors, but not sufficient to hinder the learner.

This is a spectacular beginner to intermediate book to use in conjunction with a course-based text. This book cannot actually teach you persian all on its own, but as a reference it is indespensible. While your course book may lightly delve into grammatical topics, this book travels a little deeper but without assaulting you WITHOUT INCOMPREHENSIBLE GRAMMATICAL TERMS. It gives you a full understanding of any part of Iranian Persian (Farsi) Grammar. The book is a well organized, modern, and not painful to the eyes to read. In addition, this text contains modern colloquial forms on the side. Also, uniform Latin transcription, definitions, Persian text are included for EVERY persian word referred to! I definitely recommend this book, especially over Persian Grammar by Ann K.S. Lambton for students not interested in delving deeply into literary Persian. Lambton confuses you with advanced english grammar terms time an again while Mace's book uses a few of these terms and offers generous examples to back it up.The bottom line: Buy this book if you want to have a good grammatical backing for your course oriented book for beginner to intermediate modern persian students.