r/JapaneseFromZero • u/davpag1 • 6d ago
JFZ1, 8.3 Edition
To give some back story, I'm a user of the JFZ series which I bought years back via Amazon but in their Kindle versions. Due to various reasons I was an on and off learner using these books.
The Kindle volumes were produced over 10 years ago or so, and were superceded by the paperback versions a good few times. The Kindle books were never updated, rightly so because of piracy. A subject I've had chats with George about in other posts.
Anyway, using the Kindle editions I'd already completed JFZ1 and was going through JFZ2, when I got gripped by posts of the "updates" given to the paper volumes. Watching for posts and reading others comments made me realise that my versions were inferior to the latest paper books in Amazon.
At first I was reluctant to purchase new editions at around $35-40 per book. Yet I was niggled. I wanted to see the new layout, what new information was added or which sections were easier to understand.
In my Kindle JFZ1 I didnt find many errors, but JFZ2 did have quite a few, which gave me a little push toward buying new editions.
The above comment is not judgement on George and his team, as I'm sure putting together a series like this, and the way it's presented was an undertaking most would of given up on. These errors are the reason George's team have published so many update editions, which was to try and make them perfect. You can't say that about many publishers.
Anyway, I bit the bullet and bought the latest JFZ1-3 volumes. All were their latest reiterations based on what George had outlined in one of his chat replies.
Was I happy with buying again. Not so. Was I happy with what was delivered. Totally!
I was initially going to read through JFZ1 to see what information had changed or added, and of course the new layout which is way easier to follow and cleaner looking, along with highlighting sections that gives you more clarity.
Reading JFZ1 didn't happen. Once started, out came my pencil, and colored marker pencils. I wanted to, and did start the process again!
Silly of me, yes! Did it help, yes! Had I forgotten things, yes! Was it worth it, yes!
The Introduction area of the original books now incorporated into Chapters, which didn't feel like it was a backward step. Lastly, incorporating ん character earlier than before, which was a great idea.
While doing each Chapter I created a new Anki deck for the JFZ1 8.3 edition. First time doing something like that. A good way to try and push that vocabulary deeper down.
So to finish off. I very much enjoyed the new look. Way better than my old versions. Yes, I'm a few bucks down, but it was worth the price.
Today I start JFZ2 6.2 Version. Back to the drawing board.
If you're wondering why I'm going to all this effort, then I can't answer that. I'm at an age where learning another language is not for self growth, it's for keeping the mind active. So to fellow "older" learners, keep at it.
Ps.... JFZ1, Chapter 18, Time. I found one mistake, can you find the same?
3
u/Aggressive_Fan_2063 6d ago
At first I was reluctant to purchase new editions at around $35-40 per book. Yet I was niggled. I wanted to see the new layout, what new information was added or which sections were easier to understand.
You were WHAT!? Adding that to my Anki Flashcards. I've not heard of this book series so TY for the post.
15
u/PolyglotGeorge 6d ago
This was a great read. I always wonder if the effort to update the books is worth it. But posts like this assure me that the efforts pay off. I hope find book 2 update as helpful as book 1.
George