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Title: Teach Yourself Latin by Gavin Betts ISBN: 0-658-01596-6 Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books Pub. Date: 26 January, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.79 (14 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A well structured and effective text for learning Latin
Comment: This text is well structured and presented for anyone wishing to learn Latin. Though it is heavy on grammatical terms, the grammar glossary and frequent reading/translating practice will most definitely correct any deficiencies. The text is organised into 31 units where within each unit, aspects of vocabulary and grammar are presented. Exercises are then given at the end of each unit consisting of short authentic Latin passages. However, beginning in Unit 15, an extra reading exercise follows the regular execises. These extra reading exercises are much longer passages from various Latin authors. In addition, at the end of every three units, there is a summary exercise (these numerous exercises are what I admire most about the structure of the course!). Since Latin is no longer a primary means of world communication (a pity really!), the book is strongly geared to reading and translations (there is a short pronounciation guide at the beginning). However, this text would form a very suitable complement if one would also wish to learn how to speak Latin by purchasing a commercially available Latin language software (I have one from the Transparent language series - LatinNow!). All in all, a great text!
Rating: 3
Summary: Good method, but written in uncompromising style
Comment: This book teaches the essentials of the Latin language and presupposes no prior knowledge. Yet, due to its heavy reliance on technical grammatical terms, and the fast-paced nature of the course, I would not recommend this book to anyone who had not learnt some other foreign language first (I had learnt German). Whilst a glossary is there to explain technical terms, the high degree of proficiency and 'feeling at home' with these terms that is demanded right from the start is, I would imagine, enough to bewilder those who come to this book without a clue what a "genitive" is (for example). The book has 31 teaching units, with handy revision exercises interspersed. Its real strength is the structure of the course, and expecially each unit. Betts achieves within each unit a balance between the nuts and bolts of Latin grammer, syntax, examples, exercises, and interesting facts about the Romans (Unit 1 has where Latin came from, for example). I particularly li! ked how the book keeps together the grammatical rules with how to use them. Right from the start the reader can put into practice what they have learnt. Though moving quickly, with information never repeated, the reader does not have to memorize a huge amount of vocabulary (c.50 words) before progressing to each new lesson. However, the style of writing I consider unnecessarily difficult. (A taste: "An adjective, when not itself used as a noun (see next subsection), will always be qualifying a noun or pronoun, and must agree with this noun or pronoun in number, gender, and case." p.24). As you can gather, Betts is clear but rather dry. On the whole, I did not mind, but for those people who desire less-technical language and a warmer general manner, I should say there are other courses on the market which cater for this. The presentation is superb, with all latin words in bold type, well set-out appendixes (which one constantly refers to), and an attractive cove! r - all important considerations when buying a book that wi! ll be studied and refered to as much as a 'Teach Yourself' book.
Rating: 2
Summary: Was Ok.
Comment: I was rather disapoointed with the way this book tried to to teach the language. If you are thinking about this book, I would recommend using Wheelock's Latin 6th edition.
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Title: Wheelock's Latin, 6e by Frederic M. Wheelock, Richard LaFleur ISBN: 0060956410 Publisher: HarperResource Pub. Date: 01 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $20.95 |
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Title: Latin for Dummies by Clifford A. Hull, Steven R. Perkins, Tracy Barr, Dummies Press ISBN: 076455431X Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 15 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
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Title: Collins Gem Latin Dictionary : Second Edition by HarperCollins ISBN: 000470763X Publisher: HarperResource Pub. Date: 20 November, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Teach Yourself Latin Dictionary by Alastair Wilson, Teach Yourself Publishing ISBN: 0844238120 Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books Pub. Date: 11 January, 1965 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Latin by Natalie Harwood ISBN: 0028639227 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 23 June, 2000 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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