I should first point out that I can't critique the content too well, as my French is still firmly in the "Beginner" category, so I don't know if some of the explanations are correct, incorrect, misleading, etc. All I can say to that is that everything I've looked for I've been able to find (I'll get back to that, though) and I haven't yet found myself confused by any explanations.

What I can critique, however, is the somewhat poor layout of the book. The first issue is the numbering of the entries: they're simply numbered from 1 to 715. The reason this is a problem is because it is extremely easy to find yourself stopping briefly at page 115 when the index was actually referring to entry 115. This is made all the more difficult by the lack of putting any of the entry headings in bold, which itself results in often going past an entry because the entry number doesn't stand out from the rest of the text. Further adding to the confusion is that the entry numbers for each page are located on the inner half of the top of the page, with the page number on the outside corner. Of course, that is the normal location for a page number; in this specific case, however, the result is that, when you're flipping through searching for an entry, you have to hold the book open wider so you can see the entry numbers, while also actively ignoring the page numbers.

For example, one left-hand page has across the top "484 Adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions 616" all in that formatting except the "484" is italicized, and the only thing you really need to see is the 616... yet it's pushed in towards the center binding, so you need to have the book open nearly all the way to see it--and not only that, but the only thing that IS formatted to stand out from the rest is the page number, which is irrelevant! At first glance it seems so minor and inconsequential, but after dealing with it for the 30th, 40th, 50th time, it really starts becoming aggravating--all the more so considering that there's really no need for page numbers in a book like this: the index points to entry numbers, not page numbers, so why would you even need to know that you're on page 484?

I think the publishers should've followed a separate numbering system--I'd personally recommend something similar to that used in Hammer's German Grammar: "12.1.3(a)," referring to chapter 12, section 1, subsection 3, letter (a) and so on. Either that, or just not numbered the pages at all. After all, this is in effect a grammatical dictionary--when was the last time you needed to know what page a specific word was on? C comes after B, and entry 18 will come after entry 17--the page number is irrelevant.

The other major issue with the layout is that the index doesn't get specific enough for many of the entries (which ironically makes the page numbers often a more precise method of finding an item, yet the index doesn't offer page numbers, so they remain useless!). I think this can be best illustrated by detailing one of the real cases I found of this problem.

I didn't know how to say, "I was just doing something," and looked in the index for a possible entry. I found "just ('to have just done')." Perfect! Next to it is "538." Okay, entry 538. So I flip back through the book, searching for entry 538. I have to ignore the first "538" my eye focuses on, since I soon realize it's a page number. I flip further back and arrive at entry 538 "Miscellaneous verbs" on page 412. The first verb listed is "approcher," which takes up the whole page; on the facing page is "changer." Since I of course have no clue what verb I'm actually looking for, I start looking through the entry for each verb: approcher, changer, couvenir, decider, devoir, manquer, rester, servir, tarder, traiter... nothing, until I finally arrive at "venir," TEN pages later! If the item in question, "venir de," had simply been labelled 538(k)2 both in the main book and in the index, all of that time spent reading all ten pages of entry 538 would've been saved. The index could've also simply given me the page number, but then why have any entry numbers if the index is just going to give you the page numbers?

As it is, the index sends me ten pages from where what I'm looking for is actually located. How useful can such an index really be?

What you end up with is a book with two separate but visually indistinguishable numbering systems that are not only incredibly easy to confuse--especially when flipping through at high speed, looking for a particular entry--but in fact will send you far off from the specific item you're looking for.

It's a shame that this book is so poorly formatted, especially considering they'd be rather simple fixes, as it does appear extremely detailed, and as I said above, everything that I have looked for I've found and been satisfied with the explanation. If only it were so much less aggravating to actually arrive at this wonderfully detailed information!

I give it 5 stars for detail and content, but the poor layout demands that it be knocked down one star. I sincerely hope that the publishers fix this formatting issue in the next edition, because I would happily buy a book with this content but with better organization.

First of all, i am sure that this book is really comprehensive as they say

But it is not easy to use, and not that "friendly".

I bought this one a while ago and i hardly use it, although i really want to learn more of the French tenses and all the French grammar.

can point exactly why i hardly use it, perhaps because this book is a reference, and i hoped something for "beginners",

I won't recommend this book for beginners or people that want a book in which they can easily learn French grammar in a nice and easy way.

and this book isn't cheap also, so think if you really need it, my guess

most of us probably wont.

Most of the times i don't really bother to look for something in the

book, if i have some grammar questions i just use the internet, instead of

trying to find something in that book

i bought several book, to try to learn the French grammar with a lot of examples,in a nice easy and friendly way, still haven't found one.

will be happy to find one though :) if someone can recommend one for me.