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REVIEWS of Wheelock's
Latin Reader
The publication of the
second edition of Wheelock's Latin Reader, by editor Richard A.
LaFleur, completes a trilogy of Wheelock revisions--Wheelock's Latin,
sixth edition (New York NY: HarperCollins, 2000), and Workbook for
Wheelock's Latin, third edition, revised by Paul T. Comeau and Richard
A. LaFleur (New York NY: HarperCollins, 2000), were recently reviewed by
Betty Rose Nagle in CO 79 (2002): 87-88. The changes are few but significant
for the classroom teacher and the student. The format of the notes is
changed. They now face the text in expanded form and the vocabulary glossing
is regularized. There are no macrons in the text or facing vocabulary, but
in the full vocabulary at the end of the book macrons are marked and almost
every word in the text is defined. Those words that occur five times or more
are indicated, so that students may memorize them. Likewise, introductory
and background information has been removed from the back of the book,
expanded, and placed before each author's selections. One weakness, however,
is the bibliography. Although updated and keyed to the authors, there might
have been fewer book citations from the 1960s in favor of mention of some
text-specific articles or even web links, e.g., for the Pliny letter to
Trajan on the Christians see Stephen Benko, "Pagan Criticism of Christianity
during the First Two Centuries," ANRW 23.2: 1054-118. But this may have more
to do with teacher preparation than student accessibility.
All geographic
references are now included in the notes and keyed to one of several maps
included in the new edition (from the Ancient World Mapping Center).
Also new to the second edition are photographs of ancient buildings,
antiquities, and paintings on classical themes. For example, among the
Verrine selections there are a map of Sicily and 12 photos: several Greek
temples and theaters in Sicily, a few sculptures or mosaics from antiquity,
and a couple of nineteenth-century paintings romantically depicting the
ruins or a related classical theme. These break up and complement the text
and provide students with illustrations of the works described as well as a
clear sense of geographic location.
This revised volume is unique among Latin readers in that it can be used
with success following any elementary Latin text. Since it is also not tied
to any methodology, students trained in the inductive methods and texts,
e.g., Oxford Latin Course, Ecce Romani, or Cambridge Latin
Course, as well as students who have learned their basic Latin in
Wheelock or some other grammar-translation methods (for a discussion of
texts and methods, see J.L. Sebesta, "Aliquid Semper Novi: New Challenges,
New Approaches," in R. LaFleur, ed., Latin for the 21st Century: From
Concept to Classroom, Glenview IL: Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley,
1998, pp. 15-24), e.g., Latin via Ovid or Traditio, can move
successfully into this reader and find interesting and varied selections of
accessible length with useful notes. Finally, what makes this reader
outstanding is the wide selection of readings. Classical, post-classical,
patristic/late antique, and medieval selections (ca. 3,400 lines spanning
some 1,400 years) introduce students early on to the breadth and wealth of
Latin literature. Unlike many, indeed most, other readers which are adapted
texts with idiosyncratic grammar and vocabulary keyed to earlier books in
its series, these selections are not keyed to any basic text. They are
unadapted and authentic, but note should be taken that passages and even
single words are omitted with no indication of that in the text. The Cicero
readings comprise almost half of the volume. There are extensive excerpts
from the Verrine Orations, selections from the De Officiis and the
De Amicitia, and several letters, which may be compared usefully to
Pliny's select letters, which include the description of Mt. Vesuvius and
the exchange between him and Trajan about the Christians. Livy's legends of
early Rome and Ovid's Metamorphoses selections form excellent
introductions to Roman historiography and Latin poetry respectively. The
selections from Jerome's Vulgate and from the Middle Ages illustrate
linguistic and literary transformations from the fifth through the
fourteenth centuries. This is a perfect way to move from the study of
grammar to reading authentic Latin literature. The variety and breadth of
selections will allow teachers to adapt to any methodology or learner-type,
and to appeal to classicists and non-majors at both the high-school and
post-secondary levels, while the readings—poetry, prose, philosophy, love,
letters, legal advice, et al.—allow the spirit of Latin literature to speak
for itself. —Cynthia A. White, University of Arizona, reprinted by
permission from The Classical Outlook
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The Wheelock's Latin Series isn't complete without:
Wheelock's Latin
This standard text for
introductory Latin has been praised for its thoroughness,
organization and conciseness. This edition includes maps, photos
and more.
Workbook for Wheelock's Latin
You will find in this essential companion to
Wheelock's Latin transformation drills, word power sections,
reading comprehension questions and more.
Need a dictionary?
Collins
Gem Latin Dictionary
This best-selling Latin mini-dictionary
comes with a verbs and nouns supplement; numbers, dates and measures; plus
an index of geographical names.
Harper
Collins Latin Concise Dictionary
This is a Latin dictionary and grammar—two
books in one. It also has supplements on Roman history, life and culture;
words and phrases used in English; and more.
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