- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Teach Yourself Books; 2nd Revised edition edition (1 Jun 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340803460
- ISBN-13: 978-0340803462
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
4,452,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #33 in Books > Languages > By Language > Ancient Languages > Latin > Phrase Books
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This volume should appeal to anyone who has never learned a language before or who does not feel confident enough to tackle the "Teach Yourself" complete course. It provides a step-by-step introduction to Latin that should be easy to follow from start to finish.
About the Author
George Sharpley is author of the current edition of Teach Yourself Beginner's Latin and Director of MultiLingua language school in Bristol.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I decided that I'd like to learn Latin, I initially spent a small fortune on books: All the way from Minimus (for young children) to the hopelessly unwieldy Reading Latin; and everything in between.
Just as I was about to give up, I found this. It gave me my first real grip on the language and made me feel that it was possible for even someone like me to make *real* progress in Latin.
The chapters are short and simple. It has pictures! It's funny. And (if you buy an edition that includes the CDs) you get - in nicely dramatised form - the various episodes of the story that runs through the book - a story set in a medieval monastery, with Viking raids, mystery, and even a hint of romance. Great fun!
Each chapter (and relevant section of the CD) also includes quotes from 'real' Latin authors. Even though these are initially incomprehensible, they're a wonderful way to hear the 'music' of good Latin.
As a beginner's book, some topics are carefully avoided. The subjunctive form of the verb, for example, is just *barely* touched on - just enough to give you some idea what it's used for.
Like too many books in the TEACH YOURSELF series, the quality of the binding leaves a bit to be desired, and the book will probably fall apart if not treated kindly.
In spite of this, it's just SO good that I'm giving it 5 stars, and would give it more if I could.
My personal pathway into Latin (having wasted a small fortune in my quest) started with this book. Then I moved on the the (also wonderful) So You Really Want to Learn Latin trilogy. I've just finished the final book of that set (which will take you to GCSE level), and I'm happily reading short Latin stories, and just about to make a start on WINNIE ILLE PU
Just as I was about to give up, I found this. It gave me my first real grip on the language and made me feel that it was possible for even someone like me to make *real* progress in Latin.
The chapters are short and simple. It has pictures! It's funny. And (if you buy an edition that includes the CDs) you get - in nicely dramatised form - the various episodes of the story that runs through the book - a story set in a medieval monastery, with Viking raids, mystery, and even a hint of romance. Great fun!
Each chapter (and relevant section of the CD) also includes quotes from 'real' Latin authors. Even though these are initially incomprehensible, they're a wonderful way to hear the 'music' of good Latin.
As a beginner's book, some topics are carefully avoided. The subjunctive form of the verb, for example, is just *barely* touched on - just enough to give you some idea what it's used for.
Like too many books in the TEACH YOURSELF series, the quality of the binding leaves a bit to be desired, and the book will probably fall apart if not treated kindly.
In spite of this, it's just SO good that I'm giving it 5 stars, and would give it more if I could.
My personal pathway into Latin (having wasted a small fortune in my quest) started with this book. Then I moved on the the (also wonderful) So You Really Want to Learn Latin trilogy. I've just finished the final book of that set (which will take you to GCSE level), and I'm happily reading short Latin stories, and just about to make a start on WINNIE ILLE PU
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the best beginners' guide I have yet come across - particularly for adults. it is simple yet thorough and humorous illustrations help to keep the attention focussed. For anyone about the do the Open University "Reading Latin" course it is a godsend. Pity the accompanying tape is not on offer by Amazon. I got it as a Christmas gift but without the tape.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is probably as easy as Latin's ever going to get! A basic understanding of the language is useful, especially if you're doing a degree in any subject, as most technical terms stem from either Latin or Greek. Every chapter has a little grammar and a little vocabularly, plus some rather bizarre stories about monks and mules! There are lots of exercises and self-tests, making self-teaching quite straightforward. Besides this, there's a Latin-English and English-Latin translator (although this is not very comprehensive), verb tables, and answers to the questions. Besides that, there is lots of interesting stuff about the Romans and various literary figures who wrote in Latin. If you want to learn Latin, and don't know where or how to start, this book is the best starting point. By the end, if you persevere, then you should have a good grounding, and some idea of how to go on if you want to. But it's not exactly fun, and of course, there's not that much incentive, since it is a dead language.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not ReceivedI
In spite of writing to the company several times I have not yet received the book ordered - I was sent another book by mistake
Published 4 months ago by Cara
Great start for Latin
This book is a great way to start Latin. There are excellent exercises and written passages which are testing but not too testing. Recommend.
Published 9 months ago by Georgay
Good basic introduction.
I studied Latin to 'O' level 20 years ago and did a bit in my mid-twenties too. This book has been a useful reminder of the basics. Read more
Published on 28 May 2010 by Constable Elbow
Easy and Fast
I learned latin by myself this summer with this great book. It explains grammatical rules and teaches some basic words. This book helped me to enhance my vocabulary.
Published on 27 Jun 1999
Read it Today!
This books gives easy to read information about Latin its's syntax.
Published on 24 Jun 1998
Latin Without Tears
This is one of the least painful introductions to Latin that I have seen. It doesn't assume any knowledge of grammar terms, and it doesn't dump whole declensions in your lap in the... Read more
Published on 20 April 1998
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