Customer Reviews

Oxford Latin Course: Part III (2nd Edition)

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4 star:		(1)
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this textbook is as good as it gets. unusually attractive, generously illustrated, yet at the same time highly challenging, the oxford course is a major success at textbook writing. after studying this course one gets a comprehensive view of roman history and culture, in addition to a knowledge of the language. and the narrative about horace at the center of this course reads like a novel.

These four books make a great introductory course. They many not be the easiest, by any means, but they are far and away one of the best and most rewarding. While on one level it is definitely a "reading course" (i.e., it has you reading extended narrative prose from the very beginning) it really does combine the best of the modern and traditional approaches. The course develops reading skills as much as any "inductive" textbook (even one at the end of the spectrum like Cambridge Latin Course), and yet it teaches grammar explicitly and from the very beginning. Furthermore the grammar is presented in manageable amounts (though not in dribs and drabs), and authors tend to present things in a more sensible sequence than a strictly traditional textbook. Thus someone who finishes this course will have very strong reading skills and yet will have as solid an understanding of grammar and syntax as someone who has used an old-fashioned grammar-translation textbook like Wheelock.

The premise of the course, which follows the life of the Roman poet Horace, is absolutely brilliant. We know a fair amount about the personal life of Horace through his Satires and Odes, and Horace lived through (and was even an active participant in) some of the most interesting events in Roman history. Hence, the entire course breaths Roman history. Also, the Latin of the narrative passages -- almost from the very beginning -- feels like real Latin (much more so than almost any beginning Latin book), and at times can be quite lovely. Book III (the last third of course that presents basic Latin grammar and syntax) introduces extended excerpts from the poetry of Horace and Vergil. This is a bit of a stretch for the beginner, but it's well worth the effort. Someone who has completed this course, unlike most other textbook, will have had some significant contact with the grandeur of Roman literature.

The Reader (the fourth book in the series) is a bit of a stretch for beginning students. There are no long marks (though an argument can be made that this is a good time to dispense with them), and the selection of authors, on whole, is a bit tough (Caesar being by far the easiest). An easier author like Eutropius or Nepos might have been a good addition to this reader (of course, it could be supplemented with War with Hannibal: Authentic Latin Prose for the Beginning Student or Cornelius Nepos: Three Lives -- Alcibiades, Dion, Atticus, or the like). On the other hand, perhaps the students' exposure to Horace and Vergil in Book III prepares them for the tougher literature.

There is also a very good teacher's manual that gives both historical background to each chapter (remember this course is absolutely saturated with Roman history!) as well as a full answer key to the exercises and reading passages. This would make the course very user-friendly for the independent learner.

The Oxford Latin Course is the best. Its' grammar is represented very clearly. unlike other texbooks, such as Cambridge or Ecce Romani, there is major focus on the grammar, rather than the actual stories or culture. however, after every chapter, there is a section on culture and history which relates to the text and is interesting to read.
i taught myself the course, and it was easy and enjoyable. the grammar was explained very clearly, and the relating passages were packed with all the new grammar which had been taught in the previous chapters-thus, i could practise applying my knowledge of the grammar through translations.
the only bad thing about the book are the horrific cartoons at the beginning of each chapter. but, you begin to grow used to them.
the course covers everything important in terms of grammar, and there is great focus on the subjunctive mood in the third book. the course is also completed by a reader which includes extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Livy, Ovid, etc. i'm not quite sure if the jump is too great from easy narratives to original Latin text-?- but i'd like to try it out when i get the chance.

The oxford latin series is a group of books which are very useful in learning the latin language. They are a little difficult to study one on one but with the proper help they are invaluable. This book focuses on one of the more difficult concepts of verb formulation but explores it with a continuation of the same quirky story of Quintus, our hero all the while helping learn.

Over all the series works better than most language courses for the simple fact it teaches vocabulary in a more intuitive way giving words as they appear in normal sentences and phrases instead of endless lists of words. Anyone who has enjoyed the other two books or wants to learn a language that will help with a multitude of other languages (Spanish, French, English, etc.) then this is a definite must have.

Be careful which edition you order. I ordered a used OLC Part III and received a green book. I've been using OLC for over 10 years and was completely unaware that the first edition was still around. If purchasing a used version, be sure you are aware which edition your seller is providing you.