Latin Via Ovid: A First Course Second Edition [Hardcover]

Norma Goldman (Author), Jacob E. Nyenhuis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0814317324 | ISBN-13: 978-0814317327 | Publication Date: December 1982 | Edition: 2 Sub

A Latin textbook with readings from Ovid's "Metamorphoses."

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin

From the Publisher

Using an introduction to mythology by the master storyteller Ovid himself, the authors have prepared a unique teaching tool designed to achieve proficiency at Latin in one year at the college level, two years at the high school or intermediate level. The volume provides students with imaginative, connected reading, beginning with introductory prose versions of Ovid's simple myth tales and progressing to the rich poetry of Ovidian Latin (with appropriate teaching aids) within forty lessons. The grammatical approach is traditional, but the central emphasis is on reading. In each chapter the reading appears first, followed by the vocabulary, the grammar, exercises, and etymology relating to the vocabulary. The exercises begin with a group of questions in Latin (based on the reading), to be answered in Latin. Each tale is preceded by a brief discussion in English of the story and its mythological significance. The myths retold by Ovid and the attractive format are conceived to impel the student into acquiring the skill to read the author in the original language.

A workbook ("Practice!, Practice!") and accompanying audio recordings are also available.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 494 pages
• Publisher: Wayne State University Press; 2 Sub edition (December 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814317324
• ISBN-13: 978-0814317327
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salvete Omnes, December 3, 2004

By 

J. Baer (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Latin Via Ovid: A First Course Second Edition (Hardcover)

Those Romanophiles lacking proper schooling in Latin must take the pains to teach themselves the language. There are dozens of Latin textbooks in circulation. How is one to decide among them for the best tool in self-study?

The most standard text in North America used by universities and high schools is Frederick Wheelock's Latin. Unfortunately Wheelock's Latin does not commend itself to self-study. It is extremely grammar intensive from the beginning and may overwhelm those without the aid of an instructor. The readings are also mind numbingly dull, concentrating mostly on Cicero's insipid Stoic philosophy.

A little known alternative to Wheelock is Latin Via Ovid. This textbook introduces Latin's complicated grammar in less intensive, more manageable installments. As one might expect from the title, the reading passages are based on Ovid's poetry, specifically on his Metamorpheses. Here one can enjoy the colorful tales of Roman mythology instead of Cicero's dry lecturing. The text begins with a simplified version of Jupiter's rape of Europe, then progresses to more complex passages regarding the Trojan War.

The combination of delightful reading passages and manageable grammar exercises earns this book high marks for independent study. The text contains the usual exercises, charts, dictionaries, and cultural readings one expects from a language book. An optional workbook is available (for a cheap price), as are audio tapes (for a considerably greater price).

The proof is in the pudding, as they say. I've tried at least three or four textbooks in my Latin studies and discarded them all. They were all too complicated and boring to sustain my interest in independent study. With Latin Via Ovid I have progressed through the first few chapters with remarkable speed. Those who for some reason detest Roman mythology may find another text more suitable. Otherwise, I highly recommend this product.

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Introduction to a Living "Dead" Language, November 13, 2003

By 

Bookworm "Jerry" (Marietta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Latin Via Ovid: A First Course Second Edition (Hardcover)

I studied Latin in High School.

I took two semesters of Latin in College.

Then I got a real job, and my Latin was growing rusty. Oh I have Wheelock's, and the accompanying materials. Then I found "Latin Via Ovid."

Suddenly, I rediscovered the joy of studying this "dead" yet very "living" language by reading passages of the great Roman poets, in the original <more or less>, without the tedious declensions <which are included>, or conjugations <which are also present>, but I could READ Latin! I could READ and UNDERSTAND Latin! Suddenly, words became living organisms. . .I could listen to someone, and mind go into Latin, and make almost miraculous comebacks. . .breaking ordinary English into Latin roots. . .

Never mind that.

If interested in the Language of Scholarship, but don't know much about it <and I didn't learn the rules of grammar until I studied Latin>, this is the book (and please, get the accompanying workbook!) for you.

Buy Confidently! Study Hard!

Carpe Diem!

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book for learning Latin, November 4, 2004

By 

Laura De Giorgio "hypnotherapist" (Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Latin Via Ovid: A First Course Second Edition (Hardcover)

If you're learing Latin on your own and this is one of your first books, you may enjoy getting the recordings that go with this book. Even though pronouncing Latin is not hard, it helps to get used to it and it's more fun going through the book with recordings.

The wonderful thing about this book is that all the lessons consist of beautiful stories from Ovid's Metamorphosis. Instead of learning Latin by memorizing disjointed words, from the very beginning you get to read several paragraphs of text. You may discover that you already know more Latin than you thought. The stories are so enjoyable to read that you'll feel eager to continue until you get to the end of the book and discover how much you've learned almost effortlessly.