Book Description
Designed for North American students, this special version of the Oxford Latin Course combines the best features of both modern and traditional methods of Latin teaching, providing an exciting, stimulating introduction and approach to Latin based on the reading of original texts. In this four-volume North American edition, the order of declensions corresponds to customary U.S. usage and the spelling is Americanized. In addition, it offers full-color illustrations and photographs throughout Parts I and II and an expanded Teacher's Book with translations for each part. Part IV is a reader consisting of extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Livy, and Ovid. The Oxford Latin Course, 2/e has been carefully designed to maximize student interest, understanding, and competence. It features a clearer presentation of grammar, revised narrative passages, new background sections, more emphasis on daily life and on the role of women, a greater number and variety of exercises, and review chapters and tests. Each chapter opens with a set of cartoons with Latin captions that illustrate new grammar points. A Latin reading follows, with new vocabulary highlighted in the margins and follow-up exercises that focus on reading comprehension and grammatical analysis. A background essay in English concludes each chapter. Covering a variety of topics--from history to food, fromslavery to travel, these engaging essays present a well-rounded picture of Augustan Rome. The Oxford Latin Course, Second Edition offers today's students and teachers an exceptionally engaging and attractive introduction to the language, literature, and culture of Rome--one that builds skills effectively and is exciting to use.
Customer Reviews:
Lacks coordination between content and grammar/exercises.......2007-03-10
I used the first edition for a Latin course I taught 8+ years ago. I found and purchased this at a local State University (ASU) book store and could not believe this was intended for a college level course. I used it for HS level.
I recently purchased the 2nd edition to teach Latin to my 12 and 9 year old sons. We've made it through 7 Lessons and although they are challenged to keep it all straight (declensions, conjugations, case, gender, number, agreement, ...) , they are succeeding. If they were older I'd probably use Wheelock where you get real Latin jewels in the "sententiae antinquae".
I'm a little disappointed in the 2nd Edition format. The grammar/exercises have been removed from the mainline content (reading passages, historical highlights) and placed in the back of the book. And there is no indication which execises should be given prior to content. So, if you are doing this on your own, you may want to first read the "cartoon" at the start of each chapter/lesson and then do all the grammar/exercises followed by the mainline content. I'm tyring to interleave the exercises with content to make it more fun.
Lastly, the Latin profanity in Lesson 6 is completely inappropriate.
Made me a believer.......2005-11-19
I began Latin 101 with fear- fear of learning a new language. Now, at the end of my first semester, I have been transformed to a Latin minor, a teaching assistant, a tutor, and a classical fanatic. Although this book has it's silly points- the cartoons are hilarious, it also has good practice excersizes and great cultural ties. My favorite cartoon is where argus is being given to quintus's sister horatia. I know, the names are great. The picture of the little dog smiling in Quintus's arms just makes me fuzzy inside.
Overall a good book. Amusing as well as educational.
Great Latin book.......2005-11-18
At first I thought this book was for children with only like 100pages thin. Couldn;t believe this was a college textbook for a quarter. (UCD is in quarter system.) But this childish looking book can be challenging if you don;t keep up the pace.
Anyway, about this book... This book separates the reading passages from grammar sections that can be found at the back of the book. Stories are interesting and it does give you rich vocabularies in each chapter. The grammar sections are clear and are easy to understand.
What is bad about this book? I agree with previous reviewers that the cartoon that (probably author's wife or sister or someone) drew pictures horribly. Couldn't tell which was a girl or guy and also the expressions of people in the cartoons were very weird or may not go along with the context.
Another problem of this book is that the latin vocabulary in the index does not have all the words from each chapter. So you might want to buy Latin dictionary for some words.
And finally, I wished that odd answers were found at the back but there aren't any. So this means that you will have hard time to self-study. You need a professor for this book to correct your homework and give you some feedback.
These are only minor issues that makes the book not perfect.
Other than that, I think this book okay overall. Book teaches you less boring way, I think, because my Latin professor told us in class that they learned pretty boring and hard traditional way that she did not like Latin at first. That probably implies the reason why almost everyone hated Latin a few decades ago.
So if you got a prof, everything should be fine. My last advice: Just don't procrastinate memorizing vocabs Latin, or you will find yourself pretty miserable in class.
My actual rating for this book: 4.3~4.5
self-taught latin student.......2005-01-26
I can understand why most professors who teach latin in a formal school setting find this course (Three books and a reader, ISBN #s 0195212037, 0195212053,019521207x,0195212096, there are teacher's books available with all four) inadequate. This course is for students looking for a text that presents latin in a progressive and understandable format, which focuses on immersion in reading latin rather than consumption of immense volumes of grammatical information. The grammar is introduced slowly as it is needed (The grammar excercises in the second half of the book need to be done concurrantly with the chapter). The editors obviously are attempting to make learning latin easier by building vocabulary functionally and simply. This is essential for anyone that doesn't have the time to spend memorizing endless charts, or who struggles to understand grammar when it is abstracted from practical use in reading the language. It is much more useful to gain a working knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and then to memorize all the principle parts, conjugations, declensions, etc. I recommend using the oxford course first then moving to wheelock's for mastery of latin grammar.
In the end, this course is excellent for students because it is presented in a way that allows for a simple, progressive, and functional introduction to Latin. They lack answers ( though I haven't seen the teacher's text) but taking the time to check your work using the vocabulary lists and glossary is good review. The comics are terribly drawn and somewhat annoying, but are trivial. If the editors forgot some principles, any student that will miss them will study more advanced courses anyway. These books are the answer for anyone like me who found it impossible to learn the language from endless and voluminous sections on grammar, and I was one of the top students in my college course (I didn't have the time to take anything beyond the introduction and have had to teach my self since).
Oxford Course Good for First-Year Students.......2004-08-31
Having read some very critical reviews of this series, I wanted to say I have found it engaging and pretty well done. For my students, perhaps an overwhelming reason to choose it was the price, which compares very favorably with the $60 to $80 many conventional Latin texts cost.
I agree with some critics it would be better if there were more supplementary materials and, for many teachers who were educated more traditionally, not introducing all the principal parts of verbs at once is an adjustment. However, I do feel there are many things to commend this series, including the heavy emphasis on reading for comprehension instead of just rote learning. It certainly introduces a lot of vocabulary in a short time and gives a context for it.
All in all, my home school students have done well with this text.
Book Description
On 2 August 216BC, Hannibal won his greatest victory in the plain north of the small, hilltop town of Cannae in southern Italy. By the end of the day his outnumbered mercenaries had enveloped and massacred the greater part of the largest army Rome had ever fielded, turning this into one of the bloodiest battles ever fought, rivalling even the industrialised slaughter of the twentieth century AD. For the Romans Cannae became the yardstick by which other defeats were measured, never surpassed and only once or twice equalled in the next six centuries. Cannae remains one of the most famous battles ever fought, frequently alluded to in modern military writing, and Hannibal's tactics are still taught in the military academies where today's officers are trained. This volume is a brand new look at the battle, and explains clearly and concisely exactly how it was that Hannibal achieved his historic victory.
Customer Reviews:
Good study of a legendary battle.......2005-04-29
As Adrian Goldsworthy states in the introduction to this book, reconstructing the battles of the ancient world is far more challenging than those of more recent times. The sources left to us of events are few and contradictory, often written to glorify particular individuals or illustrate key traits rather than to give precise details.
Faced with such obstacles, Goldsworthy has done an impressive job of reconstructing the battle of Cannae for the reader. Using the works of ancient authors and archaeological findings, he illuminates the details of a legendary clash of the ancient world, making educated inferences where the evidence fails him. More than just an account of the maneuvers of the day of the battle, Goldsworthy provides the background to the Second Punic War, descriptions of the two armies, and an explanation for why Hannibal's great victory on the battlefield did not lead to Carthage's triumph in their war against Rome. Well illustrated and generously supported with clear maps that are easy to understand, this is a good introduction for readers seeking to learn about this legendary battle.
Excellent Chronicle of Famous Battle.......2003-03-03
Cannae by Adrian Goldsworthy is an excellent chronicle of one of histories most famous battles. In 216 B.C. a Carthaginian Army led by Hannibal annihilated a Roman Army of more than twice its size. The tactics that Hannibal utilized, what has been called a double envelopment, have been studied for the past centuries and were the basis for the German plan for the invasion of France in 1914 as well as Schwarzkopf's Desert Storm.
Goldsworthy, who has also written a superior history of the Punic Wars, does a remarkable job of taking a battle that occurred over two thousand years ago and making it come alive. He goes to great lengths to not only explain the thinking of the major players, but remarkedly brings to the pages the experience of the common soldier. This is especially true as it relates to the sheer physical endurance that was required to slaughter the tens of thousands of Roman soldiers that were killed by Hannibal's Army. This is not to say that Goldsworthy ignores the major players. His discussion of the tactics of Hannibal and the lengths that Hannibal went to in order to make the victory more certain are a lesson for any leader.
Where the book excels is in its discussion of the Roman Armies and explaining why they were so unsuccessful. The traditional thought is that the the Roman Army was simply out generaled by one of histories greatest military leaders. However, as Goldsworthy points out, the Roman Army that met Hannibal was one that had been depleted of its veteran soldiers by successive defeats by Hannibal and was made up mostly of new recruits. Even so, Hannibal's victory was not a forgone conclusion and had not Hannibal's center held out as long as it did Hannibal's defeat would have followed. It was only the firmness of the center that allowed the wings to turn and arrack the Roman flanks and the cavalry to attack the Roman rear. With Hannibal in command of the center, the Carthaginian victory had as much to do with the excellent subordinate commanders that were part of Hannibal's Army.
Cannae is similar to the Ospery Campaign Series, in organization, with an explanation of the leaders, the armies and the actual campaign. However, it is more expensive and includes more in its pages. The maps are one of the strongest parts of the book and make it easy to understand the ebb and flow of the battle.
All in all, the book is a more than worth while read. However, if one wants to know more, I would suggest Goldsworthy "The Punic Wars."
A Detailed Look at a Classic Battle.......2002-11-15
Despite having been fought over 22 centuries ago, Cannae is still widely regarded as the most classic example of a battle of annihilation in military history. Several ancient historians - principally Polybius and Livy - addressed the battle in their time and several modern historians have attempted to tackle this subject, which is obscured by lack of documentation. Adrian Goldsworthy, an English scholar of ancient warfare, uses the methodology employed by John Keegan in the Face of Battle to attempt to unravel the details of the great Roman defeat at Cannae. Readers may not always agree with the author's interpretations, but he does succeed in bringing the battle to life and this volume is further proof of the high quality of Cassel's new Field of Battle series.
Cannae consists of five sections that cover the background to the Second Punic War, the opposing armies, the campaign of 216 BC, the Battle of Cannae and its aftermath. Certainly the best thing about Goldsworthy's Cannae is it's very high graphic quality. The fifteen full-color battle maps included in the volume are excellent and fully support the campaign narrative. Goldsworthy also includes two appendices with data on opposing strengths and casualties in the battle, a glossary and footnotes (but no bibliography).
The Roman Army that marched to disaster at Cannae was the largest ever deployed on a single battlefield by Rome. However, Goldsworthy notes the inherent weaknesses in this huge army, beginning with a divided command structure and inadequately trained legions. As Goldsworthy notes, the legionaries that were hastily mobilized in the summer of 216 BC lacked the training and discipline of later Roman armies, and their commanders lacked experience. Thus, Hannibal's professional army had a distinct qualitative edge over the larger Roman army. At Cannae, Hannibal's troops were capable of tactical flexibility and agility, but the Romans could only employ unimaginative brute-force linear tactics. On the other hand, Goldsworthy notes that the Roman Republic had enormous manpower reserves for an ancient state - about 700,000 males - and could better sustain combat losses. Another interesting feature that Goldsworthy highlights is the participation of the Roman elite in the campaign; between 25 and 30% of Rome's senators were killed or captured in the battle.
Goldsworthy's account is most interesting because he tries to analyze the campaign and battle in much greater detail that heretofore attempted. He rejects the popular notion that the Roman decision to seek battle at Cannae was foolhardy, since there is no evidence that the alternative "Fabian strategy" was capable of achieving victory. The Roman leadership knew that the only needed to win a single major victory over Hannibal to end the Carthaginian invasion and then went about amassing the means to achieve their ends. The Roman commanders were wary of Hannibal's tactical skill and they approached his army cautiously in the days before the battle, but once they decided to attack, they attempted to use constrictive terrain to minimize the Carthaginian advantage in cavalry. The Roman battle plan was simple but effective, and had a reasonable chance for success. However, the Roman cavalry collapsed far more quickly than expected and the Roman plan began to disintegrate. Although the Romans succeeded in breaking the Carthaginian center, the Roman infantry lacked the agility to deal with threats from their exposed flanks. Once surrounded, the Roman army was slowly hacked to death, making 2 August 216 BC one of the bloodiest days in military history.
One of the more interesting parts of the book is the aftermath section, where Goldsworthy addresses Hannibal's failure to exploit his victory and march on Rome. Goldsworthy notes Hannibal's "cultural assumption" that Cannae was a significant enough victory to bring Rome to terms, and therefore it was unnecessary to march upon the capital to deliver a coup de grace. This set of circumstances might remind readers of the situation facing General Schwarzkopf in 1991, when he decided not to march on the Iraqi capital after achieving a similarly one-sided battlefield triumph. Obviously, some things about warfare don't change over the centuries.
My only problem with Goldsworthy's methodology is the use of modern-day combat research to advance some of his pet theories. In particular, the use of Marshall's now-discredited statistics on combat participation to explain legionary tactics at Cannae is ludicrous; nowhere does the author mention that Marshall's analysis of American rifle squads in the Korean War was in no way comparable to Roman tactics 2,000 years before. For example, Marshall's famous statistic that only 17% of US infantrymen fired their weapon in combat is irrelevant to the Roman legionary who was in full sight of his enemy. A Roman legionary who would not fight could not run, hide or remain passive under such circumstances. Goldsworthy also fails to take into account the fact that the Roman soldiers had a great motivation to fight - after witnessing two years of enemy depredations in their native land - they were fighting on their own soil to drive out an invader. At Cannae, the Romans did not fail for lack of means or willpower, they failed due to lack of adequate training and experience. Yet defeat provided a catalyst for a Roman military revival and in the end, Hannibal's tactical masterpiece was for naught.
Book Description
Designed for North American students, this special version of the Oxford Latin Course combines the best features of both modern and traditional methods of Latin teaching, providing an exciting, stimulating introduction and approach to Latin based on the reading of original texts.
In this four-volume North American edition, the order of declensions corresponds to customary U.S. usage, and the spelling has been Americanized. In addition, it offers full-color illustrations and photographs throughout Parts I and II and an expanded Teacher's Book with translations for each
part. Parts I-III (now available in hardcover editions) are built around a narrative detailing the life of Horace, now based more closely on historical sources, which helps students to get to know real Romans--with their daily activities, concerns, and habits--and to develop an understanding of
Roman civilization during the time of Cicero and Augustus. Part IV (paperback) is a reader consisting of extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Livy, and Ovid.
The second edition of the Oxford Latin Course has been carefully designed to maximize student interest, understanding, and competence. It features a clearer presentation of grammar, revised narrative passages, new background sections, more emphasis on daily life and on the role of women, a
greater number and variety of exercises, and review chapters and tests. Each chapter opens with a set of cartoons with Latin captions that illustrate new grammar points. A Latin reading follows, with new vocabulary highlighted in the margins and follow-up exercises that focus on reading
comprehension and grammatical analysis. A background essay in English concludes each chapter. Covering a variety of topics--from history to food, from slavery to travel, these engaging essays present a well-rounded picture of Augustan Rome.
The Oxford Latin Course, Second Edition offers today's students and teachers an exceptionally engaging and attractive introduction to the language, literature, and culture of Rome--one that builds skills effectively and is exciting to use.
Customer Reviews:
I love learning latin.......2007-02-18
I am happy with the Oxford Latin course because you learn the language through interesting stories as opposed to repetitive exercises that can sometimes be boring.
Pretty Good Text.......2006-02-25
I use this book for may Elementary Latin 2 course. The professor teaches straight out of this workbook. I enjoy the cultural section of each chapter, as it gives a bit of history of Rome as it pertains to the latin vocabulary and concepts just learned in the section. The illustrations are terrible, but kind of funny because they are so bad. One has to assume that they are intentionally drawn badly.
water damaged.......2005-10-05
the book i received was water damaged and stained. half of the pages were stuck together. i can still use the book, i guess, but would there will be certain inconveniences.
It's a dead language, what more could you want?.......2004-12-21
While this book is excellent in teaching grammar and vocabulary, some phrases are repeated over and over and over again. It seems that, in a span of 4 chapters, the same phrase was used 5 times. However, the passages are a great help in learning latin, why? Because they progressively become harder and use concepts learned in previous lessons, not letting them get stored in the back of one's mind. I do reccomend this book for anyone who wishes to learn latin.
This book is great for children learning Latin........2004-05-22
I am a historian who uses Latin on a daily basis -- I learned it the old-fashioned way -- with Wheelock. My son is learning Latin at the sixth-grade level and has made great progress using this series -- which seems to me to be the age level they are best for. If I were teaching high school or college Latin this would NOT be my series of choice. But my son has just finished the first book (I'm buying the second one today for summer study) and has a pretty good knowledge of nouns, adjectives, all four conjugations in the present, future and imperfect tense, some present tense irregular verbs, and knows to be careful with prepositions. He's also got a pretty good understanding of Roman mythology, and domestic life thanks to this series.
Book Description
"An intensely interesting book." --Spectator Scipio Africanus (236183 b.c.) was one of the most exciting and dynamic leaders in history. As commander, he never lost a battle. Yet it is his adversary, Hannibal, who has lived on in public memory.
As B.H. Liddell Hart writes, "Scipio's battles are richer in stratagems and ruses--many still feasible today--than those of any other commander in history." Any military enthusiast or historian will find this to be an absorbing, gripping portrait.
Customer Reviews:
A Great General Gets His Due.......2006-10-31
We've all heard of Hannibal and of the man who finally defeated the invader of Rome (on his own turf). But who does history remember? It certainly isn't the victorious general who *NEVER* lost a battle. While Hannibal might not have lost a battle until Zama, he simply wasn't able to finish the Romans off. This was simply due to the fact he wasn't equal to Scipio when it came to siege warfare. The author finally gives Scipio a book worthy to his name. What struck me the most about Scipio was the way he was treated by politicians back in Rome. One would think that the Senate would have done everything possible to ensure that Scipio was victorious and save Rome. However petty rivalries and jealousy were yet other obstacles to be overcome. History repeating itself. The man himself was not only a brilliant general but a very humble man who always put the republic needs above his own. Even though in the end he died in exile, on charges of bribery bought about by his enemies. Rome later cleared his name but the man who saved them from Hannibal, brought Spain, Carthage, Numidia, Sicily and Greece into the empire was treated no better than a common thief. History does indeed repeat itself.
Innovative Commander........2006-04-09
First, the authors initial premise that the victor does not always get the credit is sadly true. Which dispells many myths revisionists have been spewing for decades. Aspiring leaders could learn much from this and the authors other books. Here he has created a great story outlining the exploits of one of the worlds most underated generals. Dare I say hardly known? Chapters 10 and 11 is where the true nature of the subject comes to life. In three dynamic years he crushed Carthaginian Spain, then launched his daring attack on Carthage. He details how Scipio's depth of thinking was far beyond most one-dimensional doctrines of his day. Without him Rome and the European Civilization that we so often take for granted, may have ended as part of a huge North African Empire. We owe the subject and the author a debt of gratitude.
Excellent and Interest premise for book.......2005-09-29
The author starts off with an interesting premise - that the victor doesn't always get the credit due his achievements. He mentions Hannibal's fame over his superior on the battlefield - Scipio. Other examples are Wellington over Napoleon and Grant over Lee.
A very interesting biography overall with a concentration on his wartime accomplishments, this book is a good read for those interested in military history and the politic intrigue that plague successful military leaders. Recommended reading!
Great work.......2005-02-25
I do not give 5 star ratings on much of anything that I review, this was an exception. I had barely heard of this great general before and now I know much more about him. That is what a historical book should do, but this one was also a joy to read and went too fast. For every statement about Scipio there is explination and justification. I'm sure he was a much more complicated man than even this book can go into, more's the pity, but a great general he was....possibly the greatest.
A must buy to the military reader and should be required reading for not only historians, and soldiers, but heads of state as well.
Greater Than Napoleon!.......2004-09-04
"So general is the recognition of Hannibal's genius in this battle art that he is commonly termed the supreme tactician of history. Yet in ruse and strategem the record of Scipio's battles is even richer (p.253)."
Author Basil H. Liddell Hart has created a wonderful story outlining the history and exploits of possibly the greatest general of any military force, Scipio Africanus.
Publius Cornelius Scipio was born in Rome in 235 B.C.; his first recorded taste of warfare was at the battle of the Ticinus, where Hannibal first clashed with the Romans after his famous passage through the Alps with his elephants, and in which Scipio's father was the commander. Here the 17 year old Scipio saved his father's life, and only two years later, the year of the Romans' disastrous defeat at Cannae, he was already the equivalent of a Colonel. In 210 B.C. the dynamic and charasmatic young Scipio was put in supreme command; Ticinus and Cannae were the only scenes of failure Scipio witnessed, for in command he never lost a battle. In three years he destroyed Carthaginian power in Spain and on his return to Italy pressed for a direct attack on Carthage. Made consul, he took his forces to Africa where he destroyed the forces of Carthage's great ally, Syphax. Two years later he clashed with Hannibal himself, annihilating his army in the decisive battle of Zama. For his triumph of arms, which finally broke Carthaginian power, he was awarded the title of "Africanus."
At 280 pages, this text is very entertaining and easy to read and understand. Without footnotes and only a short bibliography, the book is still a watershed of ancient military insight from the military historian master himself, B.H. Liddell Hart. I rate this text as five stars! Superb!
Book Description
Fodor’s
see it Rome is perfect for travelers who want to understand local history and Italian culture before they arrive, and experience the city like a native Romano while they’re there.
Overflowing with brilliant color photography, this is
the ONLY illustrated guide that provides the practical information that you need while traveling–complete restaurant and hotel reviews with exact prices for lodging and dining (not ranges), plus time-saving tips and how to avoid crowds, exact admission prices to key sights, great photo stops, and special notes on “kid-friendly” attractions throughout.
Hotels
Our detailed reviews represent the best accommodations in Rome, in all price ranges. From five-star luxury hotels to low-budget pensioni, we’ll tell you what to expect in terms of price and quality through extensive coverage of hotels and their surrounding neighborhoods,
exact prices of double-occupancy rooms (including breakfast), plus pictures of hotel facilities and guestrooms.
Restaurants
If you want to experience the best that Rome has to offer, pay particular attention to our
outstanding restaurant coverage that will help you choose from the 5,000 local eateries that cater to every budget and dining experience. From affordable, family-run trattorìas to places where you can splurge on a romantic, candlelit dinner–like Roof Garden ‘les etoiles’–you’ll find it in see it Rome. Each review covers
house signature dishes,
ambiance,
actual prices for a two-course lunch and a three-course dinner
(for two people), hours of operation, and what transportation will get you there.
The Sights
Whether you want to thow a coin into the Trevi Fountain, start your day on Capitoline Hill exploring the relics of ancient Rome or people-watching in Piazza Navona over a caffè ristretto, see it Rome will take you there. Accessibly written to help you navigate throughout the city without missing a thing, each attraction includes exact admission prices, what galleries and museums not to miss, and where to stop for quick bites and refreshing drinks along the way. Sights are also rated for their
“value”,
“walkability”,
“historic and cultural interest”, plus we suggest fantastic
“photo stops” and entertaining and age-appropriate
“kid-friendly” attractions throughout the book.
What to Do?
Our
shopping walks will lead you to cutting-edge fashions to fit all budgets, from hip streetwear to expensive fashions for your feet. But, Rome has much more to offer than just sight-seeing and shopping. Fodor’s see it Rome provides insider information on
classical, theatrical, and cinematic performances,
Rome’s music scene (live jazz to underground youth centres),
nightlife, spectator and activity sports, health and beauty spas, festivals and events, and
a special section on “
Children’s Rome”.
Atlas and Maps
Detailed neighborhood maps are incorporated throughout the book to help you navigate on historic walks, shopping tours, or to find a restaurant. Plus, a
16-page atlas details each road and path with highlights of important landmarks, parks, metro stations, and car parking areas.
Fodor’s see it™
A brand-new series that
shows you before you go,
guides you while you’re there, and
makes the perfect keepsake on your return.
Customer Reviews:
Descriptive with good photos.......2007-08-31
Packed with details and useful tips. Used during our trip to Rome this summer and thoroughly enjoyed it. Useful warnings and tips about local transportation.
5 stars for pre-trip planning; 3 stars for using in the street.......2007-08-17
With 100s of great photos this is an excellent book for pre-trip research and planning. The maps are very good, good hotel references and very well done on the restaurants analysis with map showing locations. The insider information on living/visiting Rome is short, insightful, very helpful. Suggested itineraries and walks very good. Coverage of the major sights excellent with lots of photos, detailed information, helpful hints (for example, the Gallery Borghese is given 6 pages of coverage, 1/2 of which are photos, the first page a full page photo of a Bernini sculpture). Section on shopping very good.
What makes this book impractical for carrying around in the streets is the fact that the sights are listed in alphabetical order, so if you are walking in a certain section of the city there is a lot of flipping back and forth through the book to find out what you are near, what to see, and then the description of it. This is a great book for research ahead of time and a keepsake after the trip, A definite to get before you go.
SO many pictures.......2007-07-16
This is a wonderful book. It has tons of pictures. Using this book has gotten me so much more excited about my trip to Rome. I recommend it.
The Best Guide Book on Rome.......2006-11-28
These Fodor "See It" guide books are fabulous. Finally someone has gotten it right. Great information organized in a very usable way with terrific color photos and great maps..one for the sights, one for restaurants, one for hotels. And then many small maps of things to see in an area. Or a map showing just churches to visit, shops in an area, simple walks to take. With many photo guide books I find I am so overwhelmed by the photos that my eyes glaze over. But this devotes double pages to the important sights and also to some obscure but equally wonderful sights that you would hate to miss. Just outstanding guide books. They are available for many cities and some countries. Now you don't have to load down your luggage with multiple guide books. This is all you will ever need.
Average customer rating:
|
The Cities of the Eastern Roman Provinces, 2nd Edition
A. H. M. Jones
Manufacturer: Wipf & Stock Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Rome
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 1592447481 |
Book Description
In this four-volume North American edition, the order of declensions has been changed to correspond to customary U.S. usage, and the spelling has been Americanized. In addition, it offers full-color illustrations and photographs throughout Parts I and II and an expanded Teacher's Book with translations for each part. Parts I-III are built around a narrative detailing the life of Horace, now based more closely on historical sources, which helps students to get to know real Romans--with their daily activities, concerns, and habits--and to develop an understanding of Roman civilization during the time of Cicero and Augustus. The new Part IV is a reader consisting of extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Livy, and Ovid. The second edition of the Oxford Latin Course has been carefully designed to maximize student interest, understanding, and competence. It features a clearer presentation of grammar, revised narrative passages, new background sections, more emphasis on daily life and on the role of women, a greater number and variety of exercises, and review chapters and tests. Each chapter opens with a set of cartoons with Latin captions that illustrate new grammar points. A Latin reading follows, with new vocabulary highlighted in the margins and follow-up exercises that focus on reading comprehension and grammatical analysis. A background essay in English concludes each chapter. Covering a variety of topics--from history to food, from slavery to travel, these engaging essays present a well-rounded picture of Augustan Rome. The Oxford Latin Course, Second Edition offers today's students and teachers an exceptionally engaging and attractive introduction to the language, literature, and culture of Rome--one that builds skills effectively and is exciting to use.
Customer Reviews:
excellent.......1998-12-06
this textbook is as good as it gets. unusually attractive, generously illustrated, yet at the same time highly challenging, the oxford course is a major success at textbook writing. after studying this course one gets a comprehensive view of roman history and culture, in addition to a knowledge of the language. and the narrative about horace at the center of this course reads like a novel.
Book Description
Set in ancient times, during the Punic wars, this story follows the adventures of young Malchus, an officer in Hannibal's army. Henty describes the army's incredible journey through southern Europe and across the Alps in fascinating detail, providing both a lesson in ancient history and an absorbing story. The balance of power in Europe swayed between Rome and Carthage and the outcome of this struggle would determine the course of Western Civilization, even until today.
Download Description
From Rome's historical contention with Carthage, the legendary military general Hannibal emerged to do battle at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, Cannae, and almost conquer Rome. When Carthage herself was under Rome's attack, she sustained bad faith and excessive ferocity. Hannibal began an incredible journey across the Alps, bringing an army with cannons and elephants to overpower the great Roman empire. He confronted the rallied forces who rose up to defend Rome plus those he had earlier subjugated that were coalescing an insurgency against him. During the time this problematic legendary story occurs, a relative of Hannibal, a boy named Malchus, joins in Carthage's march against Rome. Malchus has an unsullied energy that allows him to escape attacks from lions and wolves while employing the use of a raft to maneuver through Carthage's subterranean reservoir. Even though Carthage is eventually defeated, the clashes are thrilling enough and the dilemmas vexing enough to gain a reader's undivided attention. Please Note: This book has been reformatted to be easy to read in true text, not scanned images that can sometimes be difficult to decipher. The Microsoft eBook has a contents page linked to the chapter headings for easy navigation. The Adobe eBook has bookmarks at chapter headings and is printable up to two full copies per year. Both versions are text searchable.
Customer Reviews:
An impressive "theater of the mind".......2002-10-09
A simply outstanding historical novel set in the age of ancient Rome's legendary conflict with the city of Carthage, The Young Carthaginian by G.A. Henty is a totally thrilling historical action/adventure tale that will rivet the listener's attention from beginning to end. Superbly and dramatically narrated by William Sutherland, The Young Carthaginian is written with detailed attention to historical accuracy and truly brings to life a long-lost time of Hannibal, the legions of Rome, and the absolute destruction of a great maritime empire. A confidently recommended addition to any personal, school, or community library audiobook collection, The Young Carthaginian is complete and unabridged on eleven compact discs, offering 12 hours, 30 minutes of an impressive, "theater of the mind" quality entertainment experience.
Admirable hero and his hairbreadth escapes!.......2002-08-09
Who would have thought that a book written in the 1800s could be so appealing today? Doing a little internet research, I have found that G.A. Henty lived from 1832-1902, and the books he wrote were historical fiction "for boys". He was called "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian", which certainly may have been true, but I'm an adult female who loved this tale! The style of writing sounds a little formal and old-fashioned, but it actually helps create a feeling of antiquity, appropriate for its ancient setting during the Punic Wars.
The fictional and lovable hero, Marchus, a relative of the famous Hannibal, accompanies him on the Carthaginian campaign against Rome. I learned so much about Hannibal through this book, yet the majority of the plot involves other adventures that Marchus gets into. He has near escapes from bears, wolves, lions, treacherous tribesmen. In two instances, he escapes with the help of an elephant, and a raft in the subterranean reservoir of Carthage. This was fun stuff, and I am so impressed that this book I found, that is so old it doesn't even have a publication date in it, could be so delightful. Someone could make a great movie out of this!
Brings ancient history to life.......2002-02-16
Everyone, it seems, has heard of Hannibal bringing his army,including the elephants,through the Alps, right to the doorstep of Rome. However, a readable account of Carthage vs. Rome is not easy to find. I've been very happy to find this fascinating historical novel as the best way to teach my two sons, ages 11 and 14, about this time in history. There are some valuable lessons for us all in the book--valor, honor, and how corruption destroys great nations.
Historical Fiction from a Very Different Time.......2001-12-02
G.A. Henty was a Victorian gentleman who wrote historical fiction for young people. I learned of him in reading Arthur Schlesinger's autobiography "A Life in the Twentieth Century". Schlesinger credits Henty with awakening an interst in history that was to last a lifetime. I see why. Henty's approach is to imagine a young lad and thrust him into interesting historical periods. The young man possessed of courage, pluck, honesty and compassion finds these attributes necessary to his success in the novel. Much like the Horatio Alger novels of a somewhat later American time, Henty was also conciously teaching the manly virtues. In "The Young Cathaginian" Henty pulls off a slick trick. Our young hero Malchus is a relative of Hannibal the great Cartaginian general who dared to cross the Alps to attack Carthage's great rival, Rome. While Henty admires Hannibal and presents Malchus as virtually flawless, it is clear that Carthage was a corrupt entity and that her deserved defeat was crucial to the growth of Western civilization. This is not a dry history, merely laden with moral overlays. It is also good fun. There is a lion hunt in Africa. A wolf hunt in the Spanish mountains. Escapes through the underground reserviors of Carthage. And countless vivid battles. And a charming little romance. I am glad I stumbled across the Henty output. Sclesinger is right: Henty makes history fun!
very accurate historical fiction.......2001-03-30
G. A. Henty lived just over a hundred years ago and wrote dozens and dozens of books. He would research everything that had to do with the time period before he even started writing, hence, his works are very, very historically accurate. He takes a military event and tells the story from the piont of veiw of a fictional young man. In every book, Henty's main character is a good, honest, brave young man, and a perfect role model. The Young Carthaginian takes place during Hannibal's invasion of Rome. It is a very well written peice that goes into great detail about the invasion, with some exciting made-up parts involving his main character. I would reccommend this book for anyone over 10, there are a few dry parts, and the wording can get a little tough for youngsters. All-in-all this is a great book that you'll enjoy reading.
Book Description
On a hot, dusty summer's day in 216 BC, the forces of the Carthaginian general Hannibal faced the Roman army in a dramatic encounter at Cannae. Hannibal slaughtered the much larger Roman army. It was the high point of his military career. Massively outnumbered, they nevertheless won an astonishing victory-one that left more than 50,000 Romans dead. Gregory Daly's enthralling narrative recreates the infamous battle and provides a compelling portrait of the horror and chaos of ancient warfare. From the composition of the armies to the strategy and methods of the generals, Daly draws the reader in and makes the battle come alive.
Clear, vivid, and drawing on a wide range of ancient sources and modern scholarship, Cannae offers the fullest account yet of the most destructive battle in ancient history.
Customer Reviews:
$110?.......2007-07-02
Can someone please explain why the hardcover edition of this book is listed at $110? I'm baffled.
I am interested in reading the book, but there is no way that I will throw down that much money for a book that was just published 5 years ago!
Can anyone explain the exceedingly high price?
A Fascinating Read!!.......2005-10-15
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down. Although the available references for this battle are rather limited (primarily Polybius and Livy) Daly does a masterful job of combing the ancient sources for evidence of what the experience of combat must have been like for the Carthaginians and Romans on that hot day. He uses much of what Victor Hanson has written regarding ancient warfare, John Keegan's analytical framework and considerable thought and insight to weave a "face of battle" picture of the event. The work has great information on the composition and tactics of the armies and a wonderful description of the manipular legion at work. A must read if you are even remotely interested in ancient warfare.
Excellent study of an ancient battle.......2004-01-12
Battle of Cannae was one of the most complete victories ever won over the famed Roman legions by any of her many opponents. Fought during the Second Punic War, Hannibal who won this great tactical victory will be forever be remembered by it. This battle set the standard of what we would regard as a total tactical victory on the battlefield. Gregory Daly's book goes into considerable details on how this event took places, forces and commanders involved and lay-out of the battle, location, formations and conditions. Daly's put considerable effort into his research and what we have here is a very definitive book on the battle of Cannae. Its also helped that I thought Gregory Daly wrote pretty well, nicely paced and clearly written. Anyone with a slightest interest in this time period should buy this book.
Cannae: The Experience of Battle in the Second Punic War.......2003-09-28
A facinating educational read! Thorough details of battle - indepth descriptions of conditions and strategies. Need I say more.
BW CA 90210
Book Description
'You know how to win a battle, Hannibal; you do not know how to use the victory!' Livy's great history of Rome contains, in Books 21 to 30, the definitive ancient account of Hannibal's invasion of Italy in 218 BC, and the war he fought with the Romans over the following sixteen years. Livy describes the bloody siege of the Spanish city of Saguntum, Rome's ally, which sparked the war, and the Carthaginian leader's famous march with elephants over the Alps into Italy. Livy's gripping story-telling vividly conveys the drama of the great battles, the disastrous encounters at Trasimene and Cannae, and the final confrontation between Hannibal and the youthful Scipio Africanus. Individuals as well as events are brought powerfully to life, as the long course of the Second Punic War unfolds. This new translation captures the brilliance of Livy's style, and is accompanied by a fascinating introduction and notes.
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