Latin Crosswords [Paperback]

Prof. Peter Jones (Author), David Dare-Plumpton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2000

A professor of classics and a masterful puzzle writer have concocted the challenges in this collection of crosswords for anyone interested in testing that residual bit of school-day Latin or in making play of the improvement of language skills. While the clues to the puzzles in this volume appear in English, the answers are Latin. The questions vary not only in theme-ancient history, culture, language, or general knowledge-but also in type, from the straightforward to the cryptic and humorous. So if you're looking for a three-letter word meaning "here" and "sounding drunk," your answer is hic. And what could "the existing condition of one very old rock group" be but Status Quo? Like Omnia Gallia, the book is divided into three parts ranging in difficulty. The first two sections offer crosswords that will prove gratifyingly solvable even if your Latin stands at the amo, amas, amat or veni, vidi, vici level. But if you're looking for puzzles that push the envelope of your Latin linguistic quick-wittedness, section three is guaranteed to meet your expectations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Jones was a senior lecturer in Classics who published the best-selling Reading Latin and Reading Ancient Greek and now writes regularly for The Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian and Spectator, as well as beginning a new series on Radio Four. David Dare-Plumpton has an MA in Classics and is a regular compiler of crosswords for the national press. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf (March 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786707607
• ISBN-13: 978-0786707607
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,788,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun way to practice vocabulary, January 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Latin Crosswords (Paperback)

This is a fun little book, an interesting way to test your vocabulary when you are bored with flashcards. If you enjoy crosswords and know some latin, this is the book for you! I found that the problems did not make the best use of latin, though, and I did not like the author's use of anagrams- it was sometimes difficult to tell when they were being used. Overall, I had fun with it, and I think it helped my vocabulary; it was certainly a nice change of pace from the usual bookwork. Still, I would recommend it only if you love crosswords.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too much word puzzle, not enough Latin, March 17, 2002

By 

love to read (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Latin Crosswords (Paperback)

I was slightly disappointed by this book. I like to do regular crossword puzzles, and I love Latin! This book--in spite of the title--isn't really a crossword book, but rather a word puzzle book. It also plays with the Latin, using anagrams and little word twists. I think it would be a lot of fun for someone who just loves all different kinds of accrostics and other word puzzles, and also knows a little Latin. If the Latin is your thing, this isn't the book for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality time-wasting, August 29, 2010

By 

D. Lowbrow (Bohemian Riviera) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Latin Crosswords (Paperback)

I hate crosswords as a rule, but this brilliantly entertaining book made my weekend. If you're a geek and your Latin's reasonably good, buy this book today.

If you're just starting at Latin, however, I recommend 'Easy Latin Crossword Puzzles' instead. Of course, if you're not a geek, or if you don't have any Latin, this book is not for you.