Challenging yet rewarding are the words that come when I look at the Reading Latin Series by Keith Jones and Peter Sidwell. Challenging because, as we'll see below, it can be a rather steep climb. Rewarding, at least potentially, because in the hands of the right students it can provide a powerful pathway to a reading knowledge of the Lingua Antiqua.
Spring Sale 2026 – 10% off all Latin Books
"Spring Sale" sounds kind of mercenary, doesn't it? Well, okay, this post is kind of mercenary. But I thought some of you would be interested. Our Spring Sale 2026 on Latin books extends from April 28th through May 31st. There is a 10% discount on all Latin book sales during that time.
Look, Romans! Ecce Romani Review
Ecce Romani may be a good choice for you, if you're looking for a reading-based text with a less-rigorous approach to grammar. If you're looking for something more traditional, probably not.
Latin for Americans: An Inviting Intro
The friendly tone, colorful pictures, and the inclusion of random yet interesting tidbits of information make this an inviting entry to the Latin language for average to upper average students.
Appearances Can Deceive: Review of Wheelock’s Latin
Frederick Wheelock, then, did, not see his book as some sort of technical manual. He saw it as an invitation to engage as human beings with our brothers and sisters from the past who expressed themselves through the Latin language.
Something is Always Lost in Translation
The choices, preferences, experiences, and particular strengths and weaknesses of a given book's creators will unavoidably shape its presentation of the Latin language. Any and every introductory text will have a bias of some sort or other.
What’s the Best Kind of Book for Reading Latin?
The good news is that there's something for everyone. There are books for folks who want or need lots of help, there are versions for those who just want to engage the plain Latin text. If you're somewhere in between, well, you're covered too.
Latin Via Ovid: a Message from Exile
So, in the end, the big question is this: do the strengths of the exclusive focus on Ovid outweigh the drawbacks? On the whole, I think they do . . . with conditions.
A Go-To Text for Latin III: Jenney’s 2nd Year Latin
And what, you may wonder, are the strongest features? Glad you asked. As is the case with the first book in this series, clarity and thoroughness are the strengths of Jenney's Second Year Latin.
A Five Tool Player: Latin for the New Millennium
The bottom line is that Latin for the New Millennium does at least reasonably well in all five categories, and better than reasonably well in most. It's a five tool player.