Battle of the Books: The Quest for the Best Greek Textbook, Part II (Ad Navseam Ep. 185)

Meta Description: Join Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle for Part II of the Great Greek Textbook showdown. The hosts review Reading Greek (JACT), Hansen & Quinn, and Crosby & Schaeffer. Discover which text reigns supreme for the aspiring hellenist.

Introduction: Björn Borg in the Vomitorium

Welcome back to the “Vomitorium,” listeners! In Episode 185 of the Ad Navseam Podcast, hosts Dr. Jeff Winkle and Dr. David Noe are braving the humidity of a Michigan Tuesday.

The episode begins with some sartorial commentary. Dr. Winkle has finally shed his “Chewbacca” look, opting for a shorn style that Dr. Noe compares to the legendary Swedish tennis ace Shjörn Borg. Why the new look? It’s preparation for an upcoming peregrinatio (pilgrimage) to the sunny climes of Greece.

But before Jeff packs his bags for Athens, there is serious work to be done. The hosts are continuing their series: “What is the Best Greek Textbook?” In this installment, they grapple with three heavyweights of the pedagogical world: the immersive Reading Greek, the rigorous Hansen & Quinn, and the classic Crosby & Schaeffer.

Contender #1: Reading Greek (JACT)

First on the docket is Reading Greek, produced by the Joint Association of Classical Teachers (JACT) in Cambridge.

The Approach:

This text follows the “inductive” or “reading” method. Students dive immediately into modified ancient texts, picking up grammar and syntax in media res.

• The Narrative: It follows an engaging storyline involving historical figures and events, providing a rich cultural backdrop.
• The Verdict: Dr. Winkle praises it for getting students reading quickly and maintaining interest through narrative. However, the grammar explanations are often tucked away in a separate volume, which can be frustrating for those who prefer a systematic approach. It requires a student willing to tolerate some ambiguity in exchange for fluency.

Contender #2: Hansen & Quinn

Next up is the “Boot Camp” of Greek texts: Hansen & Quinn’s Greek: An Intensive Course.

The Approach:

Originally developed for the legendary summer intensive program at CUNY, this book is designed for speed and rigor. It is a grammatical “shock and awe” campaign.

• The Grind: It is front-loaded with massive amounts of morphology and syntax.
• The Verdict: Dr. Noe respects the rigor but warns it is not for the faint of heart. It is the philological equivalent of a CrossFit workout—effective, but painful. If you want to master the Greek language quickly and have a high tolerance for rote memorization, this is your weapon of choice.

Contender #3: Crosby & Schaeffer

Finally, the hosts turn to an old favorite: Crosby & Schaeffer’s An Introduction to Greek.

The Approach:

This text represents a “Golden Mean” (aurea mediocritas) between the immersion of JACT and the brutality of Hansen & Quinn.

• The Style: It is literary, paced reasonably, and focuses on preparing students to read the classics without breaking their spirits.
• The Verdict: The hosts express a deep fondness for this text. It offers clear grammatical explanations without overwhelming the student, and it integrates real Greek sentences early on. It is a “Goldilocks” book—just right for many learners.

Latin Language Spotlight

While the focus is on Greek, the principles of language acquisition discussed apply equally to the Latin language.

• Inductive Method: Learning rules through observation (like JACT).
• Deductive Method: Learning rules first, then applying them (like Hansen & Quinn).
• Philology: The love of learning and literature, which undergirds all these approaches.

A New Resource: Calvin’s Latin Bible App

Dr. Noe announces a fantastic new resource for students of Latin and the Bible: the Calvin’s Latin Bible App.

• Features: Full text of the Latin Psalms, accompanied by high-quality audio recordings by Dr. Noe himself.
• Functionality: Searchable text, “cut and paste” features for texting Latin verses to friends, and support for multiple modern languages.
• Cost: The Book of Psalms is completely free thanks to a generous donor.

Gustatory Parting Shot

Dr. Winkle wraps up the episode with a quote from comedian Stephen McGee regarding diet culture:

“I had a really fat friend. The next time I saw him, he looked like me. He said he lost weight by eating as much tuna as he wanted. It was hard to recognize him without his excessive weight.”

Dr. Noe’s response? “I want none tuna.”

Valete! (And join us next time for Part III: Athenaze and the Moss Method!).

Resources for the Language Learner

• Calvin’s Latin Bible: Download on the App Store or Google Play.
• Latin Per Diem: For those who prefer Rome to Athens. Visit latinperdiem.com.

The Moss Method: Dr. Noe’s own Greek curriculum, which will be reviewed in the next episode. Visit mossmethod.com.