P. V. Jones

Latin is by default an odd language. No speaks it anymore, but knowing it is considered a sign of erudition, and the countless books for learning Latin out there speak to a demand for learning the language. One of the many problems with Latin is that it is incredibly compact and nuanced. Changing the order of the words, the endings of verbs, or even missing a single letter changes the entire meaning of what is being said. Peter Jones’s Learn Latin is a rather interesting approach to show more learning the language that deserves a closer look.

First off, Jones understands the mild insanity that learning Latin entails, and to that end, he takes a more humorous approach than most textbooks. He presents twenty lessons that the reader is supposed to work through over the course of twenty weeks. Each week covers a different aspect of the language. From basic conjugation to parts of speech to different tense and cases, this book covers the fundamentals of learning Latin. With that in mind, don’t read it straight through in two days like I did. For something that requires as much attention to details like Latin, a crash course will do nothing for long-term retention.

Jones’s lessons are interesting, illustrated well, and intended for those who know a little bit about the fundamentals of other languages. He makes interesting connections between Latin and modern English, French, and Spanish. This guide helps the reader make their way through some basic texts and understand the reach of Latin into the modern day. If you’re at all interested in learning Latin, then this book will do fine for you. Just take your time with it, and it will come. A very fun book. show less

A completely outstanding work of scholarship.

There is an abundant wealth of knowledge in this book. On each double page there are a few lines of the original text on the left hand page. Maybe three or so. Beneath these lines Peter Jones provides copious notes on the words, tenses, cases, grammar and usage. This is all designed to tease out painstakingly a satisfactory translation. Vocabulary lists are provided. I doubt that the notes could be more helpful. These notes and aids can extend to show more the facing page.

Starting somewhat lower down on the left page and underneath the grammatical and syntactical notes there will begin, in a larger font, an exploration of the themes, stylistic nuances and a wealth of other information about the wider ramifications of the text. These also extend to the facing page.

In the result, every three or four lines are afforded copious ellucidation. The assumption is that the reader wants to to be able to unravel the Latin. A reasonable grounding in Latin is generally assumed.

There is an Index and there are other appendices.

This book is a model of its kind, an examplar for the ages.

Mr. Jones is to be congratulated for providing this almost unique work of thoughtfully presented learning. There is an equivalent book devoted to parts of Metamorphoses. There is every reason to believe that it matches the high standard of excellence set by this Book. show less

A really good text for mature beginners or amateurs of Latin. Needs to be read in conjunction with the other two books in the series for full effect. Be warned though, while this isn't a "grammar first" book like the horrid 'Wheelock's Latin', it should perhaps be supplemented by a real beginners cause like Cambridge, that starts off a bit simpler and introduces grammar more naturally. Still, you can't beat this if you're studying alone, and particularly if you're interested in translation.

A really good text for mature beginners or amateurs of Latin. Needs to be read in conjunction with the other two books in the series for full effect. Be warned though, while this isn't a "grammar first" book like the horrid 'Wheelock's Latin', it should perhaps be supplemented by a real beginners cause like Cambridge, that starts off a bit simpler and introduces grammar more naturally. Still, you can't beat this if you're studying alone, and particularly if you're interested in translation.