Customer Reviews

The Essential Aeneid

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I think it goes without saying that reading an abridged version of a classic text is not ideal, but sometimes you have to make do with the time you have. I have taught the full Aeneid often, and I am now teaching this abridged version in a very short summer course--we'll be doing the whole epic in one week! If you have to choose between reading some of the Aeneid or none of it, read some. If you have the time to read the whole thing, it will be a worthwhile investment of your time, and Lombardo offers a full text, which is good. This is a practical and efficient way to get students reading Virgil when time does not allow for longer reading assignments.

Giving this useful and solid edition 1 star because it's incomplete is tantamount to giving any English edition one star because it's not in the original Latin, which is superior to any English version. The product page makes it clear that this text is an abridged version of the text, so don't be surprised at the slim volume, and the missing books. As for Lombardo's translation, it's very good. I have taught Virgil in Latin at the AP high school and university levels, and Lombardo captures the fluidity and pace of the original. It is not highfaluting, like Fitzgerald, and it is fluent and pleasing.

Mine arrived in 2 days with Prime shipping.

As a Latin teacher, the Aeneid is one of my favorite books of all time. This is an excellent edition for someone who wants to get the of Aeneas as well as a good taste of Vergil's style without the long drawn out sectoins. It is a fast, exciting read. I also recommend Lombardo's "Essential Homer". You get the Iliad and Odyssey in one edition. What else could be better?

This book was great. Thanks so much. The packaging was also great! Thank you thank you thank you ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

The Aeneid is a five-star book, and the Lombardo translation can be entertaining. But don't waste your money on an abridged version. Just buy the whole thing.

It took very close to 2 weeks to get the book apparently because it was coming from across the pond. could not track the item which sucked. then i got the book and my first assignment was to read one of the first 4 chapters, can't remember what one, but guess what it wasn't even in there and all it had was a short little paragraph about what happened in it.