A Modern Czech Grammar [Hardcover]

William E. Harkins (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 338 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (October 15, 1952)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231099371
• ISBN-13: 978-0231099370
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Czech

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't fear 1953. This is for the serious student., July 12, 2000

By 

Stephen J. Ziegler (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Modern Czech Grammar (Hardcover)

The English speaking student of Czech has one distressing problem: grammar. Czech has seven cases that may call for variations in spelling of nouns depending on usage. Adjectives change to follow gender. Conjugation of verbs is critical as the verb form variations substitute for pronouns.

When it is no longer enough to be able to ask, "How far to the Charles Bridge," you must tackle the grammar. There is no better textbook. Students should take classes, if possible, as well. The use of the Harkins book by foreign language departments in American universities has probably been a fortunate stroke that kept it in print. It is priced like a college textbook. You would consider it a valuable addition to your library.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious., July 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Modern Czech Grammar (Hardcover)

Fantastic resource! This book just tears through the basics in 30 chapters w/ ease. The only problem I can see is that the book hasn't been revised in some time. All the infinitives in the book end in "-ti" opposed to just "-t." But one can simply ignore the 'i" in the infinitive because the conjugations are the same.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource and study aid, January 17, 2010

By 

Mike G "Mike" (Outside of St Louis) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Modern Czech Grammar (Hardcover)

As I slowly work my way through this book I continue to be impressed. It's a bit different from the typical grammar resource and I am sure that is related to the fact that it is not so 'modern' in 2010 as it was when it was first published. That's part of the charm I think. As anyone that is attempting this challenging language has learned, resources are not abundant and good resources are even more scarce. I highly recommend purchasing and working through this book. The used price is reasonable. A key to the exercises would be helpful (it was meant as as a textbook so the reason why not is clear) but not having one just makes one more careful in getting it right the first time. Again - different but recommended.