Customer Reviews

Wheelock's Latin Reader, 2e: Selections from Latin Literature (The Wheelock's Latin Series)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Wheelock series gets better every year as new anciallaries are developed. Dr. Grote's Comprehensive Guide make it accessible to students who lack the background presumed by the textbook itself, the workbook's graded exercises provide abundant reiforcement to the grammar and vocabulary, and now the new reader promises to assist in bridging the gap between "textbook Latin" and "real Latin."

Those who criticize the traditional pedagogical methods miss the point of studying ancient languages. Classical langugages are not studied with the goal of conversing in the language, but with the twofold goal of gaining a reading knowledge of our culture's foundational texts and of developing orderly, logical thinking. These goals are most effectivly reached through learning highly inflected languages in the traditioal manner; this is not opinion -- it has been well documented by studies conducted by the American Classical League (which has no financial interest in promoting any one textbook).

Having taught Latin for over ten years, from junior high to university, using a wide variety of textbooks, I say with conviction that the entertainment value of trendy texts is no match for the profound intellectual pleasure students (and teachers) derive from mastery of the difficult. If you want to keep students in your Latin program and simultaneously provide them intellectual tools that carry over into other disciplines, set them a reasonable challenge. The Wheelock is one of the best means of stretching students without breaking them. Hats off to Drs LaFleur, Comeau, and Grote for their splendid contributions to the Wheelock tradition.

This is an excellent intermediate reader. The selections (From Cicero, Livy, Ovid, Pliny and various Medieval sources, including the Vulgate) are quite long, so one gets a feel for the style of each author. The readings are all engaging, the four selections from Ovid in particular.
There is a complete vocabulary list in the back, and there are facing-page notes that gloss less common words or forms or provide grammatical or historical information. The level of help feels just about right--sufficient, but hands-off enough to allow the student to take the initiative.
Incidentally, some of the reviewers here seem to have the original Wheelock's Latin in mind. This book, again, is a reader, suited to those who have completed that beginning Latin book or its equivalent.

The Wheelock Series is simply the best. After being a Classicist for well over 20 years, I still use them myself and recommend them to anyone who is SERIOUSLY interesting in the language. Experience has shown that the traditional methodology of learning grammar and syntax is still the best. Don't waste your time or money on the New Age warm and fuzzy propaganda of 'see and say'. Learn Latin the correct way, and it is a treasure which you will have for a lifetime.

I will revise this review after I read the book, but please note that this is meant to be used AFTER Wheelock's Latin, not simultaneously with it. For simultaneous use, see 38 Latin Stories Designed to Accompany Frederic M. Wheelock's Latin.

I couldn't agree more with the positive appraisals of the series, from the standpoint of learning literary Latin (with an oral understanding as well) as a primary concern.

Fairly early in my run through Wheelock, I am finding it a wonderfully stimulating journey through a language and culture I've long sought to master. Admittedly my relative fluency in Modern French may give some native assistance (but only some...I would think it can hinder as much as it can help, when you've got such similarities in parts, it's easy to make erroneous presumptions: to become lazy with cognates, learning the precise, original meaning of a word or stem, etc.).

That said, I can say without hesitation that as an auto-didact of many languages, the Wheelock series surpasses them all, for me, in skillfully blending a joyful thirst for the subject with an intellectual rigor demanding an earnest student to actively come to the table. I have many of the ancillary materials and find them all vital, and well worth their purchase.

Following on many reviewers' heels, I distinguish the approach in Wheelock from, say, the French in Action series. I've done both as an auto-didact, and I consider both fairly exemplar of two distinct approaches to language learning.

Only briefly: possessed of an early fluency in French, I lost much of it through the years and sought a means to reacquire a quotidian mastery of spoken French, to enable myself and my family to "pass" in France and Francophone countries. FIA, an "immersion" approach to French using everyday situations in a "see and acquire" modality, fulfilled that aim admirably. I can't speak directly to it, but have seen many testimonials for brand-new learners to French, having similarly successful results, given their aims.

Turning to Latin (applies to Homeric Greek as well): knowing my first, and virtually solitary aim in learning Latin, is the desire to be able to masterfully read the great Latin writers in their tongue, to have a strong literary Latin understanding, Wheelock's has simply hit it out of the park. I have learned quickly (not a concern, really, and never is...); but even at what I would think is a less-than-optimal age to undertake an entirely new language (let's just say pushing 50+), I am doing really well in not only acquiring, but solidly remembering paradigms, syntax and vocabulary, reading classic texts and creating original oral and written Latin in self-directed exercises.

Clear, in manageable quanta, and eminently enjoyable along the way; with many others, I recommend it - and "it" would mean the many supporting materials, as well as the main text - highly.

Very helpful notes, include information as well as glossing rare terms, but leaves it up to the reader to decide which meaning to use, which I found lead to a better understanding of the texts on my part than if it just gave a suggested meaning.

Using this book for a graduate level class in Roman Philology, an amazing text, recommended to students and teachers alike

A great way to get a sampler of Latin literature throughout time, from Ciceron, to the Vulgata all the way up to medieval Latin and the Carmina Burana. Good to learn vocabulary, even for a beginner.

There is the text and a workbook. This is the "reader" that teaches the student Roman history, cultural Latin usage and proper, classical syntax. This is a true compliment to the other two parts of the student-teacher set. The whole set, text, workbook and reader are very competitively priced for the system, student or teacher. A good buy!

Language must be mastered with the proper grammar. Grammar teaches logical thought, grammar makes a person aware of the content of ideas.

Furthermore, a grammar based system of instruction aids older students. Childern may be aided by the use of Pestalozzi style sink or swim learning, but older students are aided by the analyitical approach of Wheelock.

Item was not in great shape, but seller made this clear. Best price for what I was looking for. I'm happy with my purchase.