Wheelock's Latin Reader

While originally intended as a sequel to Wheelock's Latin, Wheelock's Latin Readerworks well as an intermediate text following virtually any comprehensive basic Latin course. Students read and translate a variety of passages from both Classical Roman and Medieval texts, all preserved in the original form of their initial writing. In other words, whereas most courses offer modern Latin compositions for students to work with, here they will only be exposed to actual ancient documents in the form in which they originally appeared.

Each new author is preceded by a brief biography in English, followed by selections from his work. Selections vary in length, and right-hand page of text is faced on the left with vocabulary lists. (An extensive vocabulary also appears in the back of the volume.) Knowledge of Latin grammar is assumed, and important notes and exceptions are provided in the vocabulary lists to improve and expand students' knowledge. English translations are nowhere included in the book and there is no answer key, so it's important to have a teacher at this level unless students evidence exceptional aptitude.

This is intermediate Latin—though not a rigorous grammatical step-by-step like its predecessor, this book nevertheless expands students' knowledge of and experience with Latin texts, probably in the best way possible as it comes through practical application of concepts already learned. There is an emphasis on Roman history and culture (maps are included near the front to help navigate the many geographical references), so readers are learning more than just the Latin language. Wheelock's Latin Readerrequires discipline....which, in the end, probably means you're actually learning something.