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Generations of students have learned Latin with this classic introductory textbook that remains the most highly regarded and bestselling single-volume of its kind. Wheelock's Latin 7th Edition retains its signature core of authentic Latin readings--curated from the works of Cicero, Vergil, and other major Roman authors of classical literature, drama, and poetry, as well as inscriptions, artifacts, and even authentic graffiti--that demonstrate the ancient Romans' everyday use of Latin: Latin as a living language. With expanded English-Latin/Latin-English vocabulary sections, tightly retooled comprehension and discussion questions, self-tutorial exercises, translation tips, etymological aids, maps, and dozens of photos and illustrations that capture aspects of classical culture and mythology, Wheelock's Latin 7th Edition is the essential resource for students beginning their journey into the heart of the classical world.… (more)
User reviews
This textbook was designed so that, in a sense, any teacher can teach Latin. It's comprehensive, straightforward, and treats the language rather like a maths
But those complaints are clearly personal biases, and shouldn't be taken too seriously! This is a wonderfully comprehensive first-year coursebook. The inclusion of "real" Latin from so early in the course has a beneficial impact. There are now five other books in the series that serve as adjacent texts - the student workbook, the "38 Latin Stories" (simple tales for in-class dissection), "Scribblers, Sculptors and Scribes" (providing real Latin from a variety of sources keyed to the chapters here), Grote's Guide (for students to solve thorny problems), and the Reader (for students who have completed the course) - and you can't go wrong. And the light-heartedness evident throughout (even if it's in a "dad joke" kind of way) is appreciated.
I will note that this still isn't a textbook for self-learning. Sure, you can pick up everything using this (especially if you buy the teacher's answer key from the publisher) but you'll lose it again without a classroom setting for constant drills and the enjoyment of Roman culture that comes with that. Caveat emptor, is all I'm saying!
A vibrant refresh of a classic textbook.
The more I use Wheelock's, the more I acknowledge that it's a damn thorough textbook. If you read each chapter in detail, and do all the exercises (both in the chapter, in the supplements, and preferably in the additional Exercise Book) you should have a thorough grounding of how to use Latin. The book features edited excerpts from real Roman texts in each chapter, so you also get a sense of the variety of usage when the language is actually placed in context.
If there are problems, they're simply that this isn't the most innovative of texts. It's a top-down approach, itemising a few grammatical concepts each chapter and then parading examples in front of you. The examples use the same nouns over and over again, which helps to cement your focus on the grammatical item du jour, but makes things a little repetitive for sure. It's rote learning (which, don't mistake me, is necessary for an inflected language like Latin) but it relies so much on a passionate teacher. This is probably why many kids come out of school with dreary memories of their Latin classroom!
I highly recommend the enjoyable, narrative-based Cambridge Latin Course (which, to my mind, introduces the concepts in a more logical sequence) or - if you're an adult learner on your own - Reading Latin, by Peter V. Jones, which focuses on translation. They're both far more immersive in both Roman culture and the language, and will be a lot more fun. At the same time, I've finally committed to doing the Wheelock, and I must admit it works well. I'd probably recommend a combination of any 2 of the above. If you're going with the Wheelock, I recommend finding Dale Grote's companion book, or even his lectures which can sometimes be found on line. He goes through all of the supplementary questions and details how the language works. It's a thoroughly engaging way to approach Wheelock. On your own, you may have the concepts down, but it's a heady tome that offers little in the way of mental stimulation.
I realise this is an ambiguous review (particularly when I've gone with 4-stars!). I guess in closing: Wheelock's is a textbook best as a support to either the Cambridge or Reading Latin. At the same time, its generous use of real Latin, combined with 40 chapters of thorough material, means that a seriously committed student will take a lot away from it. It's a shame so many kids these days are taught by underwhelmed literature teachers or dull curricula from the '70s!