Latin for Americans: First Book [Hardcover]

B. L. Ullman (Author), Charles Henderson (Author), Norman E. Henry (Author), B.L. Ullman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 436 pages
• Publisher: Glencoe/Mcgraw-Hill; 8th edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0026409127
• ISBN-13: 978-0026409124
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Latin

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A colorful, traditional Latin textbook., January 24, 1999

By 

[e-mail] Richard L S Evans (St. Agnes Academy, Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Latin for Americans: First Book (Hardcover)

Latin for Americans I belongs to those traditional Latin textbooks such as Jenney's First Year Latin and Hines' Our Latin Heritage I. The approach of Latin for Americans is basically a deductive, grammar-translation technique. There are 54 lessons which include all declensions, the entire indicative mood in active and passive voice as well as indirect statement and the ablative absolute. This fairly ambitious coverage of morphology and associated syntax within the first year of school study is offset by the concise lesson format. Each lesson has a reading incorporating new morphology and syntax, color-coded morphology charts to assist visual learning, illustrations of new syntax, form and grammar drills, and a short vocabulary. The emphasis throughout all lessons, in which stories are thematically grouped ( i.e., Roman gods, Roman history, social life, myths and legends, etc.) and linked to lavish color pictures, is reading comprehension in Latin. Each lesson does have a short writing exercise, usually of about five short sentences to be rendered from Latin into English.

Latin for Americans I is an ideal text for 8th or 9th-grade beginners of limited experience in language learning because it moves from very easy to somewhat more difficult on a slow curve. Basic grammatical terms are not fully assumed as background knowledge and Latin sentences are kept short and unambiguous. "Bite-size" lessons work well initially to instill confidence in inexperienced learners. As a Latin instructor, I would express only one reservation about the Latin for Americans series ( on which I learned in school): Latin composition is definitely underplayed. I find myself creating writing exercises which the book lacks, a reminder that any textbook is only a map and not the territory. On the other hand, one of the finest features of the book is its lush pictures and illustrations, a powerful invitation to ancient art and archaeology. After touring ancient sites in Latin for Americans, any student will want to visit Italy and Greece for a first-hand look.

Overall, Latin for Americans I is a realistic option for the traditional Latin teacher who wishes to save the direct presentation of grammar but within an attractive, learner-friendly context which presents the learning of Latin as more than mere verbal drill.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An easy introduction book to latin, March 5, 2005

By 

Matt J Taylor (Hobart, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Latin for Americans: First Book (Hardcover)

I have always wanted to take latin, but have been told by family members who had taken latin that it was a waste and dead language. My high school and colleges I attended unfortunately did not offer latin. I found this book in the attic, its my dad's old 1st year high school Latin book. I find the book very easy to read, the pace is slow, and this book makes Latin easy to learn. This book has colorful illustrations to complement the lessons. There are also lessons covering Roman history in this book which I enjoyed. I tackled the first 20 lessons in this book over the weekend, and found the language fairly easy to pick up on, it is almost like reading english. Already I have seen a benefit in my vocabulary. This year I will tackle latin, next year I will tackle greek. Hopefully this will help me out on my GRE, GMAT, and LSAT I plan on taking next spring.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Latin for Americans unwieldy and outmoded, September 9, 2006

By 

Anne B. Wiegle "Teacher in PA" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Latin for Americans: First Book (Hardcover)

I am a Latin teacher, using Latin for Americans because it is what my school has. It uses the Grammar-translation approach. It is an attractive book, but leaves much to be desired. Because the grammar and vocabulary are introduced slowly, the stories are stilted and inane, on the order of "See Spot Run." The kids just groan when an awkward phrase comes up. It does not present the example of good CLassical Latin until the second book. It is not until the second half of the first book that the kids can begin to know what Latin is about, and they are held back by the grammar, and conversely, the lack of grammar keeps the book from saying much interesting. The vocabulary is not on the page where it is introduced, necessitating much flipping back and forth. There are an insufficient number of drills and practice exercises to absorb the lessons. The accessory matierials, the workbook exercises are helpful, but too long and the kids tire of them. The tests are totally incompetant. They are hard to grade, too involved and too long. I had to create all my own tests.

Another fault I find with this text is that there is no continuity in the stories. Unlike other books where the students get an emotional investment in the characters, and want to find out what happens next, most of these stories are not connected.

While it is possible to teach using this textbook, there are many others far superior both in method (reading method is preferred today) and in cultural content.