The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric (Paperback)

by Sister Miriam Joseph (Author), Marguerite McGlinn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
The Trivium is a highly recommended and welcome contribution to any serious and dedicated writer's reference collection. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Description
Opening the door for beginners who seek a thorough grounding in the first arts of human understanding, this book explains the nature of logic, grammar, and rhetoric-the three of the seven liberal arts-and how they relate to one another. In Renaissance universities, the trivium (literally, the crossing of three part way) formed the essence of the liberal arts curriculum. Examined are topics such as the nature and function of language, distinguishing general grammar from special grammar, the study of logic and its relationship to grammar and rhetoric, and applying the concepts of logic, grammar, and rhetoric to literary works.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Paul Dry Books (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967967503
• ISBN-13: 978-0967967509
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

172 of 174 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbara Celarent and a lot more, September 10, 2003

By	Daniel L Pratt (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is as much fun as I've had from a book in quite some time, even though the subject matters (grammar, logic, rhetoric) are usually thought of as serious if not outright grim.

The book was originally written for first-year students at college in the 1930s and 40s. It is simply amazing how much knowledge the teacher could assume from her students and build on. Fortunately, the current edition has been copiously footnoted for us. These and other updatings occasionally give an anachronistic flavor to the material, but more often highlight its timelessness.

After introductory chapters on the liberal arts and on language, two chapters on grammar (which are not dull summaries of long-familiar rules - in the 1930s these could be taken as given) lead smoothly into several chapters on logic, ending with a fine chapter summarizing fallacies. This material will be challenging, but a lot of fun, and for the most part presented with great clarity. (I have to admit, however, that after repeated readings I still do not understand why John is a rabbit.) Along the way you get to meet Barbara Celarent. The book concludes with a sadly brief chapter on composition and reading (i.e., rhetoric) which I wish I had read many years ago. An appendix gives a brief biography of the author, a nun who taught for many years at Saint Mary's College (South Bend). A lecture by Mortimer Adler crystallized her interest in the trivium.

Highly recommended - a 6-star book if ever there was one.

121 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From syllogisms, to common linguistic fallacies, September 8, 2002

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

Deftly edited by Marguerite McGlinn, The Trivium: The Liberal Arts Of Logic, Grammar, And Rhetoric by Sister Miriam Joseph Rauh (1898-1982) is a "user friendly" guidebook to better understanding the structure and usage of the English language. Individual chapters address everything from syllogisms, to common linguistic fallacies, to hypothetical and disjunctive propositions, and more. A superbly presented and accessible guidebook The Trivium offers a solid grounding for writers of all degrees of experience and background in fiction, nonfiction, as well as especially academic writing where the interpretations and literal truth of linguistic expression is under an exacting scrutiny. The Trivium is a highly recommended and welcome contribution to any serious and dedicated writer's reference collection.

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why wasn't this taught when I was in school???, January 19, 2004

By	Michael Freeman (Blanchard, OK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wholeheartedly recommend this book; however, it's probably so different from anything you were taught in school that it might be difficult to incorporate anything into your writing style.

I was never taught logic in school--either high school or college. Thus, I found the sections on logic very interesting. The author describes every logical argument you could think of in detail, and (the editor) provides examples for most. Not easy reading, though--I found myself having to go back and re-read/study portions routinely.

As an aside, I think this book, unintentionally, does a lot to point out the failures of modern government-controlled schools. The "trivium" should be taught to all grade-school students.