[STCrowley]

To be honest, I've been teaching for two years (in a private language school) and the only books I've ever used have been from Murphy's. I think that the books do a good job of explaining the grammar--sometimes to the teacher!--and it gives the students a reference.

Most of my students don't take notes the way I used to. (And I guess that's okay.) But, that means that they go home and forget when to say "I did" and when to say "I had done." The Murphy's book gives them a reference. . . and exercises. (With answers. Lazy teachers like their students to correct their own homework.)

If anyone can honestly say that they know something that's as good, I'm game to buy another book. . . but I haven't had any reasons to be anything less than satisfied with Murphy's.