On the Nature of Things, Translated by Martin Ferguson Smith (Hackett Classics Series) [Paperback]

Lucretius (Author), Translator (Author), Martin Ferguson Smith (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0872205878 | ISBN-13: 978-0872205871 | Publication Date: September 3, 2001

Martin Ferguson Smith's work on Lucretius is both well known and highly regarded. However, his 1969 translation of De Rerum Natura--long out of print--is virtually unknown. Readers will share our excitement in the discovery of this accurate and fluent prose rendering. For this edition, Professor Smith provides a revised translation, new Introduction, headnotes and bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In Smith's translation, the annotations are particularly helpful providing a wealth of supplementary information" - Practical Philosophy,Spring 2003.<br /><br />"Meticulous, judicious and reader-friendly in equal measure, it embodies the fruits of a lifetime's study of Lucretius' poetic masterpiece." -- David Sedley, Christ's College, University of Cambridge<br /><br />"The translation is accurate, clear, readable, and vigorous. The introduction is excellent." -- Charles Segal, Harvard University<br /><br />"Meticulous, judicious and reader-friendly in equal measure, it embodies the fruits of a lifetime's study of Lucretius' poetic masterpiece." -- David Sedley, Christ's College, University of Cambridge<br /><br />"The translation is accurate, clear, readable, and vigorous. The introduction is excellent." --Charles Segal, Harvard University

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co (September 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872205878
• ISBN-13: 978-0872205871
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves the highest recommendation especially for public and college library collections, January 13, 2011

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Nature of Things (Naxos Non Fiction) (Audio CD)

On the Nature of Things is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of the only surviving work of the Roman philosopher Lucretius, born in 99 BC. In "On the Nature of Things", Lucretius sought to liberate his fellow Romans from their fear of the gods, and their fear of death. Lucretius argued that the gods are not directly involved in life, and therefore there is no need to appease them; he also argued that death is the end of a human being's body and soul, and therefore there is no point in fearing it. An unforgettable amalgamation of insight, now in a new English translation by Ian Johnston and intuitively performed by theater, film, and television actor Hugh Ross, On the Nature of Things deserves the highest recommendation especially for public and college library collections.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lucretius /On Nature of Things, December 21, 2011

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Toro Seduto - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Nature of Things, Translated by Martin Ferguson Smith (Hackett Classics Series) (Paperback)

Excellent, clarified translation makes for enjoyable reading, easily absorbed almost as a fiction novel. Read this after reading "The Swerve" and other excellent books from Amazon on Roman history.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking, October 21, 2011

By 

R. E. Chanley - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lucretius: On the Nature of Things (Focus Philosophical Library) (Paperback)

I wondered if I would find this 2000 year old poem relevant to my 21st century life. It is. On The Nature of Things is almost a reference book of everyday subjects from pain, harmony, love, touch, taste and free will. It also goes on the broader subjects such as life, rain, atoms, religion, earth and the universe. The outline of the poem gives you a broad idea of what Lucretius is talking about, and the index lets you quickly find his thoughts on any given subject. I find that I pick up the book when I'm thinking about something, and I wonder what Lucretius has to say about it. I would suggest this book to any independant thinker.