This page contains the complete book series by author Gerald Driรner (pochemuchka books). You will find the acclaimed ‘Arabic for Nerds’ grammar books, which are the source of most ideas on this blog. The series is designed to take your language skills from the intermediate to the advanced level.
All major bookstores and online sellers (e.g. amazon, the book depository, etc.) should have the books in stock. In case you cannot get them, send a message.
Books by Gerald Driรner
A Note on Buying New vs. Used
My first books began as personal test copiesโa work-in-progress that was originally never intended for the public. The response was all the more surprising: librarians reached out, and readers showed interest. This motivated me to develop the series professionally.
A remnant from those early days remains with me today: The original ISBN was never changed. As a result, early versions with numerous errorsโfrom typos to rough Englishโare still in circulation. They are occasionally found in libraries, on second-hand platforms, or as pirated PDFs.
A note on buying second-hand: You may receive one of these old, uncorrected editions, which does not meet today’s quality standards.
If you want the current, revised version, please buy the book newโeither directly from this website or from an official retailer like Amazon.
Today, I place the highest importance on quality: Every new book is carefully checked from the start and continuously improved.
Arabic for Nerds 1 – Fill the Gaps
270 Questions about Arabic Grammar
Arabic for Nerds one pushes you from the intermediate to the advanced level.
Reading about Arabic grammar is usually as thrilling as reading telephone directories. The author uses a new approach: He compiled 270 interesting questions, drawing from his years of studies in the Arab world to create a colorful journey into Arabic grammar.
However, if you want to reach an advanced level, it is not about learning vocabulary lists – it is about understanding the fascinating core of Arabic. This is what Arabic for Nerds is all about. It is specifically intended for INTERMEDIATE learners.
Fully revised and expanded 1st edition – with index
October 2015, 568 pages
- ISBN-13 (paperback edition): 978-3-9819848-7-3
- ISBN-13 (hardcover edition): 978-3-9819848-2-8
Available at amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your preferred bookshop (just use the ISBN or the name “Arabic for Nerds” to get it).
To get a better idea of Arabic for Nerds one, you can check the “Look Inside!”-feature on amazon or view the Table of Content (download pdf).
Arabic for Nerds 1: Fill the Gaps – 270 Questions about Arabic Grammar
Arabic for Nerds 2 – A Grammar Compendium
450 Questions about Arabic Grammar
Arabic for Nerds two will improve your understanding of written Arabic texts dramatically. It helps you to achieve your final goal: the superior level (C2).
Have you been in the following situation? You know every single word in an Arabic sentence, but you don’t have a clue what the sentence is all about? The painful reason is: you don’t understand the grammar.
This book aims to transform grammar, a subject that is hated by many people, into an understandable and enjoyable subject. This is not another boring grammar book.
ARABIC FOR NERDS 2 will teach you in an entertaining way how to dissect a sentence, how to identify the function of letters, words, and syntax – in short: the I’rab (ุฅูุนูุฑุงุจ). The author has compiled 450 interesting questions that mainly deal with Arabic grammar(ุงููููุญููู).
Imagine pushing entire sentences into an MRI machine. After we have examined the structure, we put single words under a microscope. Eventually we will know how sentences work or why they don’t work.
This book is thoughtfully structured to guide you through
- the jungle of case endings
- playing with word order
- understanding fine points of Classical and Modern Standard Arabic,
- and how to avoid common mistakes.
ARABIC FOR NERDS 2 is a grammar compendium. It gives you all the tools that you need to properly analyze any Arabic sentence – no matter if it is taken from a children’s book or the Holy Qur’an.
Every Arabic sentence is fully vowelled (ุชูุดููููู) and translated into English. It is specifically intended for advanced learners.
If you want to know what others think about it – switch over to amazon or read this review by The Arabic Pages.
1st edition – with index
August 2018, 828 pages
- ISBN-13 (paperback edition): 978-3-9819848-0-4
- ISBN-13 (hardcover edition): 978-3-9819848-1-1
Available at amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your preferred bookshop (just use the ISBN or the name “Arabic for Nerds 2” to get it).
In order to get a better idea of the book, you can check the “Look Inside!”-feature on amazon.
Arabic for Nerds 2: A Grammar Compendium – 450 Questions about Arabic Grammar
And there is another source and inspiration for this blog:
Islam for Nerds
500 Questions and Answers
Islamic history and anecdotes are part of everyday conversation in the Arab world. This book provides a fascinating journey into one of the biggest and probably most misinterpreted religions via anecdotes and facts about Islam and its history, the Qur’an, the prophet Muhammad and his traditions, the Dos and Don’ts for Muslims, and how Islam spread around the world, summarized in 500 quesยญtions and answers, which the author has derived from his own experiences.
The author has lived in North Africa and the Middle East for ten years and immersed himself in Islamic culture and society. He gradually learned the things kids in the Arab world already know, but most people in other parts of the world never heard of, by talkยญing to his neighbors, teachers, scholars and ordinary people in the street.
This book explains Islam in its complexity. The author also addresses current topics: Islam in the West, women’s issues and Jihad.
Islam for Nerds can be read without knowing Arabic. However, the author provides the fully vocalized Arabic source in addition to the English translation, which may be beneficial for Arabic-speaking readers.
Fully revised 1st edition – with index
November 2016, 752 pages
- ISBN-13 (paperback edition): 978-3-9819848-9-7
- ISBN-13 (hardcover edition – distribution also to libraries and booksellers): 978-3981984835
- ISBN (e-book edition): 978-3-9819848-4-2
Available at amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your preferred bookshop (just use the ISBN or the name “Islam for Nerds” to get it).
In order to get a better idea of the book, you can check the “Look Inside!”-feature on amazon.
