In my lectures I provide added background (including lots of pictures) on the authors and their literary selections. I also point out connections between Latin vocabulary words and modern English along with their relationship to other Latin words as well. I offer examples and demonstrations of the Latin grammar lessons, especially where it differs from what we do in English. And for all of the above, I explore how it makes its way into our world today.
Reading Latin (Jones and Sidwell): Steep Climb, Lovely View
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.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat: Good Quotes Never Die
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat Fortes Fortuna adiuvat, "Fortune helps the brave!" A more common, if somewhat less literal translation is "Fortune favors the bold!" Well, it still captures the sense of the statement, and preserves the alliteration of the original. It also captures the swashbuckling spirit with which this sentiment was intoned in at least one … Continue reading Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat: Good Quotes Never Die
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.
Eram Quod Es: the Quote of the Week
These six little words (or is it two little words?) pack quite a punch.
The Human Touch: Latin in the Liturgy
Christian believers hope to participate in that communion in a more profound way in the next world. In this physical world, however, we rely on our corporeal senses. Latin has endured in the Church for such a long time because it gives us that human touch.
O Bone Deus: Adventures with the Vocative
Who knows, they may be right. Maybe Scribonius Largus was not an inept Latin stylist, but a champion of Writing For The Common Man. Either way, his work does cast some light on our discussion of the vocative singular of deus.
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.