Advice needed for Latin book

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Anto
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Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Anto »

Hi everyone,
I was studying on my own in D'Ooge's Latin For Beginners. Now, I have finished the whole book, which was very useful and very good, especially with the key and the discussion I could participate on in this forum.
Now, I want to continue studying Latin on my own, and I need a piece of advice regarding which book to use for the next level. I need a free book, that I can download, and also the key.
I started using JF Mondon's Intensive Latin, but it is full of mistakes (especially the key).
Any idea?

mwh
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by mwh »

Now that you’ve worked your way through D’Ooge maybe it’s time to switch gears and read some real Latin? Some Cicero perhaps, either political stuff (e.g. one of his speeches against Catiline) or some of his personal letters.

jarapa
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by jarapa »

Ritchie's Fabulae Faciles is a good transition...Geoffrey Steadman's is free, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much...the accompanying notes are excellent in helping with reading and comprehension...will be able to enter the Latin arena with a firm step!

Anto
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Anto »

jarapa wrote: Tue Apr 01, 2025 6:28 pm Ritchie's Fabulae Faciles is a good transition...Geoffrey Steadman's is free, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much...the accompanying notes are excellent in helping with reading and comprehension...will be able to enter the Latin arena with a firm step!
Do you mean this one?
Cicero’s First Catilinarian Latin Text with Facing Vocabulary and Commentary.
I was able to download it, but I couldn't find the key. Do you know where can I find it?
Gratias ago tibi.

mwh
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by mwh »

Just what do you mean by a key, and what do you want one for? I honestly can’t imagine anyone needing anything more than what Steadman provides, which already seems more than enough to me.

Anto
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Anto »

mwh wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 4:05 pm Just what do you mean by a key, and what do you want one for? I honestly can’t imagine anyone needing anything more than what Steadman provides, which already seems more than enough to me.
I meant the correction of the exercises and of the translations (like the one we had for D'Oodge), in order to check that my work is done properly.

Ronolio
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Ronolio »

Steadman's works don't have exercises. They have the Latin/Greek text with a small running vocabulary of around 200 words and then each page has text with commentary and definitions for any of the words that are not part of the running vocabulary.
For something with exercises you might try the Bolchazy-Carducci Workbook for AP Latin series. They use the College Board Latin texts for Caesar, Catullus, Cicero, Horace, Ovid, and Virgil and the teacher's guides with keys can be purchased as well. You can find these on Amazon or through the publisher.

jarapa
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by jarapa »

Ronolio wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 12:34 pm Steadman's works don't have exercises. They have the Latin/Greek text with a small running vocabulary of around 200 words and then each page has text with commentary and definitions for any of the words that are not part of the running vocabulary.
For something with exercises you might try the Bolchazy-Carducci Workbook for AP Latin series. They use the College Board Latin texts for Caesar, Catullus, Cicero, Horace, Ovid, and Virgil and the teacher's guides with keys can be purchased as well. You can find these on Amazon or through the publisher.
We're a bit stuck on recommendations, because the OP clearly requests a "free book."

Anto
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Anto »

I have just started with Steadman's Cicero (First Catilinarian).
It seems good. And I found online (http://ibnotes.tripod.com) an English translation of "Cicero: In Catiliniam 1", which can help me to check that my translations of Steadman's texts are good.
Thanks for the advice.
By the way, do you know if there is anybody else working on this text in this forum or if there is already a topic in the forum dedicated to this textbook?

Anto
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Anto »

mwh wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 4:05 pm Just what do you mean by a key, and what do you want one for? I honestly can’t imagine anyone needing anything more than what Steadman provides, which already seems more than enough to me.
Do you know if there is anybody else working on this text in this forum or if there is already a topic in the forum dedicated to this textbook?

Anto
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Anto »

jarapa wrote: Tue Apr 01, 2025 6:28 pm Ritchie's Fabulae Faciles is a good transition...Geoffrey Steadman's is free, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much...the accompanying notes are excellent in helping with reading and comprehension...will be able to enter the Latin arena with a firm step!
I wanted to thank you for the advice. I have already finished the first lesson of Geoffrey Steadman (Cicero, first Catiline). I really enjoy it. Thanks again.

mwh
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by mwh »

Anto, If you run a search of this site for “Catilinarian” you’ll find a number of earlier posts. And do ask if you have any questions about the text yourself.

Anto
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Re: Advice needed for Latin book

Post by Anto »

mwh wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 4:32 pm Anto, If you run a search of this site for “Catilinarian” you’ll find a number of earlier posts. And do ask if you have any questions about the text yourself.
Thank you.

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