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Title: Teach Yourself Latin by Gavin Betts, Gavin G. Betts ISBN: 0-8288-8374-2 Publisher: French & European Pubns Pub. Date: 01 October, 1992 Format: Paperback List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.79 (14 reviews)
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.
Rating: 4
Summary: Excellent Book for those keen to learn the language
Comment: I've embarked on a quest to conquer this book a number of times. Each time I make progress, but it seems each chapter after the 18th gets more difficult at an almost exponential rate, I like the way Betts has gone to the lengths he has to make the book comprehensive. I will try the book again, but unfortunately the binding has given way, I may need to buy another one. Perhaps in future editions they may like to look at making sure that the binding doesn't give way too soon. That is about the only negative thing I can say about this book. I wish you luck in your quest to learn this beautiful language.
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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: Workbook for Wheelock's Latin, 3rd Edition, Revised by Paul T. Comeau, Richard LaFleur ISBN: 0060956429 Publisher: HarperResource Pub. Date: 01 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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