This set includes a book and 2 CDs. This introduction to the spoken language of Iraq is suitable for classroom use and self-study. It is designed both for people with no previous knowledge of the Arabic language and those who know some Arabic and wish to learn the Iraqi dialect. The foundation of the book is a series of realistic dialogues that increase in complexity with each lesson. The language is based on the Baghdadi dialect, which is understood by a majority of Iraqis. All Arabic words are transliterated into Roman script for easy understanding. New vocabulary is explained prior to each dialogue, while additional vocabulary related to the topic is also provided. The grammar, expressions, and cultural material found in the dialogues are fully explained in their proper context. The grammar is also presented in a logical, step-by-step manner for easy mastery. Each unit is supplemented with exercises that test and reinforce the student's knowledge, with an answer key provided at the end of the book. The two-way glossary contains more than 5,000 entries, enabling the book to double as a dictionary for travellers to Iraq. An audio CD feature accompanies the lessons.
Nawal Nasrallah, a native of Iraq, is an award-winning researcher and food writer. Her cookbook "Delights from the Garden of Eden" is acclaimed as the definitive source on the Iraqi cuisine and its history. Of her forthcoming books, soon available for purchase: Second Revised Edition of "Delights from the Garden of Eden", elegantly styled and generously illustrated with color photos (Equinox Publishing of London). Her book "Dates: A Global History" (Edible Series by Reaktion Books of London), has just come out. A charming account of the date palm and its fruit, fun to read.
She is a member of the Culinary Historians of Boston, and has been giving cooking classes, presentations, and demonstrations on the Iraqi cuisine -- ancient, medieval, and modern -- to culinary groups, schools, and libraries. Her English translation of Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq's tenth-century Baghdadi cookbook Kitab al-Tabikh, entitled "Annals of the Caliphs' Kitchens" (published by Brill of Leiden), was awarded "Best Translation in the World" and "Best of the Best of the Past 12 Years" of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2007. It also received Honourable Mention in 2007 Arab American National Museum Book Awards. Her recipes featured in many magazines and newspapers, such as New York Times, Boston Globe Magazine, and Food and Wine. www.iraqicookbook.com
