Most of the ideas and questions for this blog are taken from Gerald Drißner’s books. pochemuchka books is his selfpublishing label.
All major book stores 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 Drißner
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 the book, you can check the “Look Inside!”-feature on amazon or have a look at the contents here.
Please note that we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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 (إِعْراب). The author has compiled 450 interesting questions that mainly deal with Arabic grammar(النَّحْوُ).
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 (تَشْكِيل) 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 or have a look at the contents here.
Please note that we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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, summarised in 500 questions 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 talking to his neighbours, 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.
It can be read without knowing Arabic. However, the author provides the fully vocalised 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 book sellers): 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 or have a look at the contents here.
Please note that we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.