This… is a more detailed and user-friendly introductionto an approach to grammar through meaning and function. Functionalgrammar is presented here in a context that enables a broadersocio-cultural orientation to be shown of how language works. Thompsondoes this with clarity and the engagement of his readers in the courseof ten chapters ... The book also provides a detailed index,suggestions for answers to exercises, a comprehensive list ofreferences, as well as five pages of further reading, related to eachchapter. This is especially helpful for beginners and researchers, notto mention teachers ... [It] serves as a most worthwhile introductionto systemic functional grammar and should be on the bookshelf of thoseworking in the TESOL field. Margaret Bade, NZSAL