Wheelock's Latin

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When Wheelock’s Latin first appeared in 1956, the reviews extolled its thoroughness, organization, and conciseness; at least one reviewer predicted that the book “might well become the standard text” for introducing students to elementary Latin. Now, five decades later, that prediction has proved accurate.

The revised sixth edition of Wheelock’s Latin, produced by distinguished classicist Richard A. LaFleur (University of Georgia), has all the features that have made it the bestselling single-volume beginning Latin textbook, many of them revised and expanded:

• 40 chapters with grammatical explanations and readings based on ancient Roman authors
• self-tutorial exercises with an answer key for independent study
• a newly enlarged English-Latin/Latin-English vocabulary
• a rich selection of original Latin readings—unlike other textbooks, which contain primarily made-up Latin texts
• etymological aids

Also new to the sixth edition are maps of the Mediterranean, Italy, and the Aegean area, as well as numerous photographs illustrating aspects of classical culture, mythology, and historical and literary figures presented in the chapter readings.

Praise for Wheelock's Latin:

  Generations of students have learned Latin successfully from Wheelock’s venerable text. LaFleur preserves the best features of the original book, while adapting it to 21st-century demands.–Professor Anne H. Groton, St. Olaf College

  “High-schoolers respond enthusiastically to the authentic texts in Wheelock, and the book's thoroughness, clarity, and rigor ensure they are well prepared to read extended passages of real Latin.” –Paul Chenier, Harvard-Westlake School

  “For those long familiar with [Wheelock’s Latin], the new edition shows the continuing vitality of a venerable pedagogical classic.” –Professor William Hyland, St. Norbert College

The new edition makes a world of difference.–Professor Robert A. Kaster, Princeton University

The sentences for translation have been tremendously improved; . . . expansion of grammatical explanations and advice about how to study Latin [appear in] almost all the chapters. –Professor Cecil Wooten, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in the Classical Journal

Generations of students have learned Latin successfully from Wheelock’s venerable text. LaFleur preserves the best features of the original book, while adapting it to meet twenty-first-century demands.”–Professor Anne H. Groton, St. Olaf College

Over the years, the various editions, first prepared by Wheelock himself and then by his able successor, the eminent classicist Richard LaFleur, have preserved the genius of Wheelock's vision.... For those long familiar with [Wheelock's Latin,] the new edition shows the continuing vitality of a venerable pedagogical classic. –Professor William Hyland, St. Norbert College, in The Northeast Conference on Foreign Languages Review (reprinted with permission)

An excellent choice for the college classroom.... In the marketplace of introductory Latin texts Wheelock in the 6th edition remains the best. –Professors R. Scott Smith and Stephen Trzaskoma, University of New Hampshire, in Bryn Mawr Classical Review

The new cover art is attractive, the three maps are useful, and the numerous black-and-white illustrations are well-chosen from a wide range of ancient and later European art. –Professor Betty Rose Nagle, Indiana University, in The Classical Outlook

If you're nostalgic for the Latin you once had and lost, or if you'd like to attempt a self-taught course, Wheelock's Latin is your most likely route to success. Don't miss the sweet Foreword, written by Wheelock's filiae amantissimae. –Eleanor Edmondson, in Bas Bleu

More Reviews of Wheelock's Latin