Seeking a grammar reference book...

[mahravat.livejournal.com]

Hello and please forgive me if this has already been asked before - I looked back through the club's memories but couldn't find a specific answer. I and two classmates have been studying Russian for a little over a year now, first through a community college and now privately at our teacher's home.

Unfortunately, we're lacking a nice comprehensive grammar reference book. Ideally, one that is divided into lessons would be perfect, but we need one that can be referenced at any time for answers to specific grammar questions, that can serve as a grammar "dictionary" without actually being a dictionary. I have searched for such a book online already, but I've found plenty that have both good and bad reviews. Can anyone provide me with some recommendations? My classmates, my teacher and myself would appreciate them!

And... Сдравствыте. Pardon spelling mistakes. :) I'll endeavor to participate more, but I'm afraid I'm a bit self-conscious around all of you because you know so much. Something to aspire to! Thanks for reading.

Comments

[niiicolaaa.livejournal.com]

I have a great guide to grammar, but for the life of me I can't remember the title and it is at my apartment. I will look when I get back there later this week and reply again if no one else has mentioned it.

[quem98.livejournal.com]

Schaum's outlines
Russian Grammar
by James S. Levine.

McGraw Hill is the publisher.

It is my bible.

[studentka-hb.livejournal.com]

A comprehensive Russian Grammar by Terence Wade - he's referred to in my class as 'the daddy of grammar' ;)
It's a good reference book with nice clear indexing but no exercises (apparently there's an exercise book to go with it, but not very good) but like it says, it's comprehensive...

Go to Amazon, for crying out loud

[milady-winter.livejournal.com]

Get the text-book called "Troika". It is, by far, the best, the simplest and the fullest grammar-reference guide for non-natives.

Been to Amazon...

[mahravat.livejournal.com]

...and through a few major college textbook sites, and Powell's Books...

My trouble with each was that what appeared to be the better selections from the search results would have a mix of excellent and horrible views from both students and teachers, making it hard to decide who was right. That's why I thought I'd ask here for people's suggestions before committing to one. Thanks for your recommendation, I appreciate it!

Re: Been to Amazon...

[milady-winter.livejournal.com]

I understand.
I personally used "Troika" in teaching Russian to adults on a local Community College. Folks seemed to have fun, it was farely relaxed, good on grammar part and up-to-date when it came to general info about the country.
Besides, textbook is just one part of a good class. Add the atmosphere created by the instructor (we all got a kick of picking russian names, creating virtual "russian" families for every student - so when they wrote compositions, they could go outside of "My name is Vasya, I have a mother and a dog..."), and a good balance of homework and tests.

Good luck.