Product Description

The leading Latin course worldwide Book I begins in the city of Pompeii shortly before the eruption of Vesuvius. Book I is full colour throughout, with a clear layout of stories and language notes. Featuring a glossary for quick reference and comprehension questions, the book also includes a full explanation of language points and grammar practice exercises.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5673 in Books
• Published on: 1998-08-06
• Format: Student Edition
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 205 pages

Customer Reviews

Brilliant way to learn
In my quest to learn Latin, having been disappointed by other books, this was recommended to me by a friend. After reading the positive reviews on Amazon I decided to buy it.

I was not disappointed in it at all. This was exactly what i was looking for in a book:

It had stories to translate that focussed around one family so there was a familiar thread to them. Sometimes it even has (although in a very 'learning is fun' way) humour.
It had a gradual increase of vocabulary, giving any new words in a story down the side of it.
It had a full dictionary of all the words used in the book at the back of it, along with a section on all the grammar taught.
The grammar was introduced at the right rate and there were exersizes to test how well you had understood the new points. There were three-four exersizes every chapter (with 20 chapters in total), along with the translations.
The end of the book leads nicely on to the start of the next one so it is not difficult to continue.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to read Latin. You will not regret buying it!

Excellent course book with plenty of add-ons
This is a superb guided textbook, and there is a teacher's guide to go with it. In answer to the reader from Sussex who complained that there are no answers provided, I would point him/her to the supplemental material which is integrated into this course; in particular the Independent Learning Manual and the accompanying Answer Book, which is meant for home schooling or independent learners. A registered teacher can also get Graded Tests so that this course really can take someone right through from novice to GCSE. For a wider experience, there are also CDs which can be used. These are available from the Cambridge School Classics Project directly. The big plus is that everything is integrated, so that a consistent storyline is followed, with constant consolidation of learning points.

Excellent First Book
Having just worked my way through this book, I would strongly recommend it as a good first introduction to Latin. The style is very much a modern reading-based style, with grammar points introduced very gradually over the course of the first book, and a grammar summary at the end of the book.

About half of each of the twelve short chapters is devoted to an interesting topic on Roman history or life, and the colour pictures make these very enjoyable.

My one criticism would be that more exercises are needed, as there are only about four or five per chapter. However, I have found this book has done more to nurture my interest in Latin than any other book I have come across.