John Huehnergard, An Introduction to Ugaritic (Peabody: Hendrickson), 2012.

As I pen this review we are less than a week from the death of Frank Moore Cross. A fact worth noting since Cross has been so very influential in the study of Ugaritic and as well because Huehnergard dedicates his new grammar to Cross. Huehnergard (from hence, merely H.) offers interested students a very fine grammar written in a sensible style and organized equally sensibly. The volume begins with an Introduction (pp. 1-18) wherein H. describes the Ugaritic language, Ugaritic texts, and from my point of view most importantly, Ugaritic and Biblical studies. Part II is a discussion of Orthography (pp. 19-22). Part III, Phonology (pp. 23-30). Part IV, Morphology (pp. 31-80) including but not limited to treatments of pronouns, nouns, verbs, adjectives, numerals, prepositions, adverbs and the other parts of speech. Part V, Syntax (pp. 81-84). Part VI, Features of Poetic Texts (pp. 85-87). Part VII, Basic Vocabulary and Practice Exercises (pp. 89-98). And finally, Part VIII, Selection of Texts (pp. 99-138). Following the grammar proper, there are a series of very, very helpful appendices including John Ellisons The Ugaritic Alphabetic Script, a key to the practice exercises, and paradigms for pronouns, nouns and adjectives, numerals, and verbs. The volume also contains 51 plates, some of them in color and all of them very useful as illustrative material. From a technical point of view, the volume is printed in an exceptionally beautiful font and the transliterated Ugaritic texts are crystal clear. The book is nicely bound in hard cover and is a sturdy addition to any collection. It is, in a word, made to endure the ravages of student usage. When it comes to the matter itself, the introduction to the student of the language of Ugarit, H. has managed to give readers a grammar vastly superior to that of Stanislav Segert. H.s organization is simply better and clearer than Segerts and though I have utilized Segerts volume for my own course on Ugaritic for many years, I will from hence require H.s instead. Here are my specific reasons for so doing: 1- The grammar is clear and precise and Hs explanations clean and crisp. 2- The selection of texts offers transliterated readings followed by line for line and word for word explanatory notes. 3- The Glossary is exceptionally good, thorough, and complete, noting parallels in Biblical Hebrew. 4- The exercises allow students to actually read Ugaritic texts and understand them.

5- The vocabulary lists contain not simply the meaning of the word but the various forms in which words occur along with their meaning. H. has done fantastic work here and his book is both commendable and important. Though I would add one caveat to potential buyers: Its best to have a good working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew before pursuing Ugaritic. Acquiring Ugaritic as a stand alone language would be, in my opinion, much more difficult than having Hebrew in hand and then moving to a study of the Ugaritic language and literature.

Jim West Quartz Hill School of Theology