New book!

Gregg Speed Practice (1961) has just arrived in the post. I found it on Abe Books, and thought it was worth the £10 (that’s about $19) they were asking for it.  It looks great – though the cover is a rather bilious green colour 🙂

I’ll finish the Simplified manual first, of course, but it’s nice to know there’s something else waiting for me…
Has anybody else got it?
Kevin

(by kevinwal for everyone)


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  1. Hi Alex,   Yes, it's British – published by McGraw-Hill in London.   The preface says: 'Gregg Speed Practice Simplified has been a popular and important part of the programme of Gregg Shorthand Simplified materials since they were first published in 1950. It is designed to help the student: 1) to review and strengthen his knowledge of the system; 2) to develop his shorthand-writing speed; 3) to lay a solid foundation on which to build transcription skill; 4) to prepare for the shorthand examinations of public examining bodies, and for practical work in a business office.'   Sounds good – apart from the last bit, of course!   There were lots of cheaper books on Abe, but that was the only Simplified one I could find, and I thought it best not to mix Gregg flavours.   The Reading and Writing Practice sections say things like 'Royal Society of Arts Test 80 wpm' or 'London Chamber of Commerce Test 120 wpm'.   It's got lots of tips and long sections entitled 'Practical Suggestions'.   It's also got a section on Martin Dupraw, together with his 'How big should my shorthand be?' piece.   And it's got quaint old English sentences like 'He bought a large and comfortable house in Wimbledon' – which, if he kept it for the last 40 years, is now worth a small fortune!   Kevin

  2. Looks like the 1961 edition of Gregg Speed Practice wasn't released in the US. The only one I saw was a 1907 edition, published in Chicago.   I've just seen another UK one for sale for 짙25 (that's $47!). At that price, it must be rare, even over here…

  3. Nope, don't know about this book.  Is it a British publication?  I wonder if it was marketed in the U.S.   One of the interesting things about Gregg Publishing is how prolific its publishing program was.  There is an incredible variety of texts and editions.  Just when you think you pretty well know what they published, something else comes to light.   $19 is a little pricey, but if the book's in good shape it seems fine for an unusual title.   Alex

  4. Interesting how they made the content market specific.  Are there other good advanced Simplified books I can move on to?  I hope they match, like the Simplified dictionary!   ____________________ Praise the lord, I saw the light line!  

  5. Gregg Shorthand Simplified for Colleges Books 1 and 2.  Book 1 follows the same lesson format as the manual and so if you find book 2 somewhere you will be picking up right where the manual leaves off.   So this is a looks like a good opportunity to ask the question "everyone" is wanting to ask: So how close are you to finishing the manual?   P

  6. Thanks, Chuck. So many treats to look forward to!   I've just ordered Shorthand Dictation Studies Simplified by Wallace Bowman for less than $3. What a bargain – though shipping it to the UK from the US is costing $14 (ouch!). Still, it gives me another reason to finish the Simplified manual.   I'm on lesson 21, Priscilla. I'm doing one a day. I've been surprisingly well disciplined so far   Kevin

  7. John asked — Are there any other good advanced Simplified books I can move on to?   Sure, there are.  I recommend any of these:   For a second course:   1.  Any of the Gregg Dictation Simplified books by Leslie and Zoubek (this is the usual second semester sequel to the simplified manual). 2.  Shorthand Dictation Studies – Simplified, by Wallace Bowman.  This book I recommend highly – it reviews theory and builds vocabulary slowly but surely, and very systematically.  The shorthand is written beautifully and big.  It came in Anniv, Simplified, and DJS flavors.   For a third course:   3.  Any of the "Gregg Speed Building – Simplified" series.  The emphasis in these books is still office-style dictation. 4.  Gregg Advanced Dictation Simplified – Leslie/Zoubek.  This book has a good mix of literary and office-style dictation.   For advanced work:   1.  Either "Progressive dictation" or "Previewed dictation" by Zoubek  (literary and business dictation, with more difficult vocabulary) 2.  Expert Shorthand Speed Course – Simplified, by Blanchard and Zoubek.

  8. Thanks for the reminder, Priscilla.  I forgot to say that the "for Colleges Book 2" editions correspond to the "Gregg Dictation Simplified" books by Leslie and Zoubek, so they are also a second course in shorthand.  Both sets are at the same learning level — the material may be slighly different.  The "for Colleges Book 1" editions correspond to the straight manual.  This applies for Simplified, DJS, S90, and Centennial versions.  So when you see a Gregg Shorthand for Colleges Book 1 Series 90, it is the same as the manual for S90, and if you see a Gregg Shorthand for Colleges Book 2 DJS, it is the same as "Gregg Dictation DJS".   Ah, the wonders of marketing …

  9. Kevin, would it be too much to ask if you could scan and post the first few pages of the first lesson of the "Gregg Speed Practice" book that you got.  I, for one, am curious to see if it has the same layout as the "Gregg Speed Building" series.

  10. Chuck – I haven't got a scanner, but I've taken digital photos of the first 12 pages or so and uploaded them. You'll see them under Gregg Speed Practice UK 1961, 1-6.  Sorry if the quality isn't as good as a scan, but I think you'll be able to see them OK.   The content has been localised, but I wonder if the structure is the same as Gregg Speed Building?   Kevin   P.S. The section on p9 shows British currency as it was in the 60s, before decimalisation (1971). p = pounds, 10, is 10 shillings, 3/- is 3 shillings, and 11/6 is 11 shillings and sixpence. Back in those days, there were 12 pence in a shilling and 20 shillings (or 240 pence) in a pound. You can see why they simplified it!

  11. Chuck makes reference to Expert Shorthand Speed Course by Blanchard and Zoubek. Technically, the text Expert Shorthand Speed Course is written in a version of Gregg before the 1949 Simplified revision. The same book was revised for the Simplified series and appeared in 1950: The title of the Simplified version omits the word "Speed" and is called simply Expert Shorthand.   Brian

  12. Wow, thanks for the pictures.  They are really clear.  This book is different in organization from the Speed Building series, but I'm sure both would tackle the same things.  Enjoy!

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