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Gwynne's Latin: The Ultimate Introduction to Latin Including the Latin in Everyday English
‘Latin is "it", the most wonderful "thing". It is mind-enhancing, character-improving, enthralling, exciting, deeply satisfying, and valuable. My solid determination is to spare no pains to do it the justice that its importance demands.’Mr Gwynne, author of the Sunday Times bestselling phenomenon Gwynne’s Grammar , is just as emphatic about the importance of Latin as he is about the importance of grammar. From the novice to the more well-versed, Gwynne’s Latin is essential for anyone interested in learning Latin; Mr Gwynne promises to teach you more Latin in half an hour than you would learn from years of being taught Latin at school. He also includes a fascinating section on everyday Latin usage, which discusses all the Latin words and idioms we still use today, such as ‘quid pro quo’ and ‘sui generis’.Though we need no further convincing – as we know, Mr Gwynne is never wrong – here are just some of the many reasons why Latin is utterly - Latin is an academic subject easy enough for the least intelligent of us to grasp all the basic elements of, and yet difficult enough to be demanding for its greatest scholars.- For well over a thousand years it was the means of communication that united the whole of Europe culturally and in every other significant way.- It is the direct ancestor of, between them, the five most widely-spoken European languages, and both of the official South American languages.- It is the ancestor and source of more than half of the English language, partly directly and partly through French, which for some centuries was England’s official language.Following in the same beautifully designed footsteps of Gwynne’s Grammar , Gwynne’s Latin will teach you all the fundamentals of Latin quickly, thoroughly and better than all the competition.
Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2014
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About the author
N.M. Gwynne
9 books11 followersNevile Martin Gwynne is a British writer who has gained recognition for his book, Gwynne's Grammar. He has also written Gwynne's Latin. He spent his early days in Gloucestershire before attending Eton College and Oxford University, graduating with a degree in Modern Languages.
Formerly a successful businessman, Mr Gwynne has for many years been teaching and tutoring just about every sort of subject to just about every sort of pupil in just about every sort of circumstance. His teaching methods are very much the traditional, common-sense ones, refined over the centuries, that were almost everywhere until they were abolished in the 1960s. Being disappointed in the standards of grammar he encountered in his pupils, Mr Gwynne, over time, wrote this wonderful, succinct and yet comprehensive little book - because nothing quite as suitable already existed.
Formerly a successful businessman, Mr Gwynne has for many years been teaching and tutoring just about every sort of subject to just about every sort of pupil in just about every sort of circumstance. His teaching methods are very much the traditional, common-sense ones, refined over the centuries, that were almost everywhere until they were abolished in the 1960s. Being disappointed in the standards of grammar he encountered in his pupils, Mr Gwynne, over time, wrote this wonderful, succinct and yet comprehensive little book - because nothing quite as suitable already existed.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 3, 2019
Over the past half a year I have been slowly improving my Latin, as a hobby. This book has really helped.
During my time reading this book I've been reading reviews and some of the commentaries around it, mostly blogs and internet reviews, and there are a few things that seem worth commenting on. I'm not at a stage where I've mastered everything in this book - but I feel I will get there eventually. There is, which is surprising for such a short book, a lot to learn here.
Gwynne promises that almost anyone will learn a lot more Latin from this book, regardless of their level of competency, within a few pages than they have in years of Latin study. And that reaching the end of the book will make the reader much better with Latin than almost any of the most highly intelligent 'scholars' of today, who have 'passed all their Latin exams and are studying Classics at any of the top universities in Britain'. This use of 'scholars', as well as this overall claim, are pretty bombastic, and easy to call bullshit on. (What exactly does the word 'scholars' mean here, for example?) This is characteristic of Gwynne's overall style.
Gwynne devotes a lot of words in the introductory phase of this book to talk about the benefits of learning Latin, and the benefits of his teaching style. It is clear pretty much from the first word that Gwynne loves Latin, and cares deeply about the subject - and the book is full of an infectious enthusiasm. Examples he gives of major benefits in learning Latin are exemplified, in my mind, by two examples he mentions: one being the American industrialist Jean Paul Getty who would prefer to hire candidates with classics degrees over those with business degrees, because they tended to make more money. The other being a social experiment done in poorer, intercity schools in the United States; students who were given instruction in Latin did better at school more generally than those who do not have any Latin instruction at all - and Gwynne helpfully provides a reference to a newspaper article in the Independent about it (4th November 1987 - for those interested). Such things are good for establishing credibility.
What detracts from this, however, is that he says his teaching methods, the traditional teaching methods, are so old and unused today they have become strikingly new again, that they have 'again and again' become the subject of 'prominent' newspaper articles. I looked, and could not find anything more than two online articles in the telegraph, one he himself wrote. The effect of mentioning this in his book is to imply these traditional methods are so revolutionary and effective, people involved in pedagogical theory simply cannot believe their eyes whenever they see it. That Gwynne is some sort of educational revolutionary trying to set the world right again, like it was before the proper methods were abandoned in the 60s for reasons Gwynne does not seem meditate on. I don't want to seem dismissive of Gwynne here, this is my impression of how he sees things.
There is also the claim that these better methods, now largely lost, are responsible for not just better education and more well rounded individuals, but it is even implied (not stated directly, some might say tactfully dodged) it is the engine of empire building. Gwynne seems to consider the classical education model the reason the United Kingdom had the largest empire on earth. Apparently knowing Latin is as useful as a modern army. The term 'correlation does not equal causation' comes to mind.
Gwynne himself even seems aware of how bombastic this all sounds, and even on some level must know it isn't completely true. On page x of the introduction, he writes 'Since I wish my readers to be able to concentrate their full attention on the information ... without being distracted by the manner in which I present it'. The point is the content, and the method for learning Latin that should be the focus - that I agree with.
I will say it, if it wasn't for the introduction (that makes for interesting reading but is not without its exaggeration, silly brashness, and even carelessness with details (such as how many Romance languages there are, and the above mentioned)) this would be the perfect Latin primer.
I cannot deny it, I learned a lot of Latin from this book. The method for teaching it is in contrast with something like the Cambridge Latin Course series, which is all about learning the vocabulary, and then reading through blocks of text in Latin. A method based more on intuition, and observation - learning the grammar through observation. Gwynne's, or rather - the traditional method, is just to learn the grammar. His method can be summed up as 'before you can say 'I love the table' you must learn all the different versions of the verbs and nouns in that sentence'. Meaning you will not just be able to say 'I love the table', but 'you loved the table', and 'we will love the table', and so on. This might sound daunting, and even look daunting as you see tables and columns of things to memorise, but once you start to learn it it isn't so bad.
If you want to learn Latin, the recommendation I would give: diversify your resources. If you just use this book, you'll know Latin in a theoretical way, but reading it with any pleasure might be difficult - as you see a word and try to remember exactly what conjugation form that word is taking - and how the grammar makes all the words fit together in the way to express the meaning. On the flip side, if you just read something like the Cambridge Latin course and have no great knowledge of the grammar, you might struggle to use Latin correctly and effectively make it a second language.
This book is not without problems of presentation. If you look past that, and at just the content, this book is excellent.
During my time reading this book I've been reading reviews and some of the commentaries around it, mostly blogs and internet reviews, and there are a few things that seem worth commenting on. I'm not at a stage where I've mastered everything in this book - but I feel I will get there eventually. There is, which is surprising for such a short book, a lot to learn here.
Gwynne promises that almost anyone will learn a lot more Latin from this book, regardless of their level of competency, within a few pages than they have in years of Latin study. And that reaching the end of the book will make the reader much better with Latin than almost any of the most highly intelligent 'scholars' of today, who have 'passed all their Latin exams and are studying Classics at any of the top universities in Britain'. This use of 'scholars', as well as this overall claim, are pretty bombastic, and easy to call bullshit on. (What exactly does the word 'scholars' mean here, for example?) This is characteristic of Gwynne's overall style.
Gwynne devotes a lot of words in the introductory phase of this book to talk about the benefits of learning Latin, and the benefits of his teaching style. It is clear pretty much from the first word that Gwynne loves Latin, and cares deeply about the subject - and the book is full of an infectious enthusiasm. Examples he gives of major benefits in learning Latin are exemplified, in my mind, by two examples he mentions: one being the American industrialist Jean Paul Getty who would prefer to hire candidates with classics degrees over those with business degrees, because they tended to make more money. The other being a social experiment done in poorer, intercity schools in the United States; students who were given instruction in Latin did better at school more generally than those who do not have any Latin instruction at all - and Gwynne helpfully provides a reference to a newspaper article in the Independent about it (4th November 1987 - for those interested). Such things are good for establishing credibility.
What detracts from this, however, is that he says his teaching methods, the traditional teaching methods, are so old and unused today they have become strikingly new again, that they have 'again and again' become the subject of 'prominent' newspaper articles. I looked, and could not find anything more than two online articles in the telegraph, one he himself wrote. The effect of mentioning this in his book is to imply these traditional methods are so revolutionary and effective, people involved in pedagogical theory simply cannot believe their eyes whenever they see it. That Gwynne is some sort of educational revolutionary trying to set the world right again, like it was before the proper methods were abandoned in the 60s for reasons Gwynne does not seem meditate on. I don't want to seem dismissive of Gwynne here, this is my impression of how he sees things.
There is also the claim that these better methods, now largely lost, are responsible for not just better education and more well rounded individuals, but it is even implied (not stated directly, some might say tactfully dodged) it is the engine of empire building. Gwynne seems to consider the classical education model the reason the United Kingdom had the largest empire on earth. Apparently knowing Latin is as useful as a modern army. The term 'correlation does not equal causation' comes to mind.
Gwynne himself even seems aware of how bombastic this all sounds, and even on some level must know it isn't completely true. On page x of the introduction, he writes 'Since I wish my readers to be able to concentrate their full attention on the information ... without being distracted by the manner in which I present it'. The point is the content, and the method for learning Latin that should be the focus - that I agree with.
I will say it, if it wasn't for the introduction (that makes for interesting reading but is not without its exaggeration, silly brashness, and even carelessness with details (such as how many Romance languages there are, and the above mentioned)) this would be the perfect Latin primer.
I cannot deny it, I learned a lot of Latin from this book. The method for teaching it is in contrast with something like the Cambridge Latin Course series, which is all about learning the vocabulary, and then reading through blocks of text in Latin. A method based more on intuition, and observation - learning the grammar through observation. Gwynne's, or rather - the traditional method, is just to learn the grammar. His method can be summed up as 'before you can say 'I love the table' you must learn all the different versions of the verbs and nouns in that sentence'. Meaning you will not just be able to say 'I love the table', but 'you loved the table', and 'we will love the table', and so on. This might sound daunting, and even look daunting as you see tables and columns of things to memorise, but once you start to learn it it isn't so bad.
If you want to learn Latin, the recommendation I would give: diversify your resources. If you just use this book, you'll know Latin in a theoretical way, but reading it with any pleasure might be difficult - as you see a word and try to remember exactly what conjugation form that word is taking - and how the grammar makes all the words fit together in the way to express the meaning. On the flip side, if you just read something like the Cambridge Latin course and have no great knowledge of the grammar, you might struggle to use Latin correctly and effectively make it a second language.
This book is not without problems of presentation. If you look past that, and at just the content, this book is excellent.
July 18, 2018
I would recommend this cute yellow booklet to anyone who wishes to *revise* their knowledge of Latin grammar. Gwynne outlines a relevant cross-section of Latin core grammar, but the course also comprises some stimulating translation exercises which aid in reviewing and mastering grammar. Especially the English-to-Latin assignments contribute to one's awareness of the nuances of the language and thus ultimately to one's reading capacities. Worthy of praise is the chapter on word order. Gwynne's advice on translation from English into Latin displays, conversely, his insufficiently substantiated bias towards what he calls "traditional" methods. He instructs the reader to look for the verb before tackling the rest of any Latin sentence, which is a method detrimental to any aspired fluency. Even in nineteenth-century textbooks, it was acknowledged that, in order to become proficient at reading Latin, one must read linearly, as one would read any language.
Furthermore, I deem Gwynne's highly unsuitable as a course for those learning Latin for the first time. It does not explain grammar in adequate detail, does not provide enough reading practice and adopts a style of teaching which is rather arid. This work is a grammar and translation book, not a comprehensive Latin course, let alone the "Ultimate Introduction" to the lingua Latina.
A final piece of advice: do not read the introductory chapters, or, at least, take them cum grano salis. Linguistically, methodologically and paedagogically, they are but one thing: uninformed. The intro section reveals the author's lack of insight, nuance and common sense with regard to some actually refreshing and commendable evolutions in Latin teaching. And, last but not least, Latin should be learnt for the culture and literature attached to it, as well as for the language itself. While I certainly won't deny that the study of Latin broadens the mind, the most efficient way to become better at English grammar, reasoning, romance languages or whatever is by studying English grammar, logic, a romance language or whatever respectively.
Furthermore, I deem Gwynne's highly unsuitable as a course for those learning Latin for the first time. It does not explain grammar in adequate detail, does not provide enough reading practice and adopts a style of teaching which is rather arid. This work is a grammar and translation book, not a comprehensive Latin course, let alone the "Ultimate Introduction" to the lingua Latina.
A final piece of advice: do not read the introductory chapters, or, at least, take them cum grano salis. Linguistically, methodologically and paedagogically, they are but one thing: uninformed. The intro section reveals the author's lack of insight, nuance and common sense with regard to some actually refreshing and commendable evolutions in Latin teaching. And, last but not least, Latin should be learnt for the culture and literature attached to it, as well as for the language itself. While I certainly won't deny that the study of Latin broadens the mind, the most efficient way to become better at English grammar, reasoning, romance languages or whatever is by studying English grammar, logic, a romance language or whatever respectively.
April 15, 2014
A long overdue antidote to the muddle of C20th Latin teaching: Gwynne (sorry; Mr Gwynne) puts his money where his mouth is and sets out to teach his reader(s) - and I hope there will be many - more Latin in half an hour than in any number of years' 'working' through the more modern course books currently on the market.
The exposition of his method (little more, really, than a rousing call for a return to traditional teaching - and what's wrong with that?) is lucid and convincing.
One is certainly presented with more information in Chapter One than in many, many chapters in other books (though not, I think, than in such ancient books as were used at my prep school); but whether one will read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this traditional fare in 30 minutes will very much depend on oneself, for, as Mr Gwynne makes no apology for remarking, there are no short cuts: the teacher happily, helpfully and confidently guides the pupil towards what must be learned - but the pupil himself must do the learning.
Then follows a clear explanation of what has been learnt and plenty of practice in its usage. The method continues, rejoicing as it does so in plentiful English > Latin exercise, the only way, I agree, through which a really thorough grasp of Latin can be attained.
I think this book is necessary. I think it might really work. But ...
The format. Although I think one could (should!) make a serious attempt to use Gwynne's Latin in the classroom, I fear its fate will instead be relegation to much (much!) smaller rooms: it has been presented (in brilliant yellow) as a charming little companion to that purple Christmas stocking-filler hit, Gwynne's Grammar. It has clearly been designed for the display at the front of the shop, alongside those oh-so-hilarious old-fashioned exam papers, collections of Molesworth-style howlers, 'stuff we used to know' nostalgia trips for the why-oh-why brigade (of Tunbridge Wells, I suppose? If you say so.)
This style is at best a misunderstanding, at worst a most heinous betrayal of the content and stated purpose of the book, which, like the 'Grammar', is in fact deeply serious and, I believe, right.
The exposition of his method (little more, really, than a rousing call for a return to traditional teaching - and what's wrong with that?) is lucid and convincing.
One is certainly presented with more information in Chapter One than in many, many chapters in other books (though not, I think, than in such ancient books as were used at my prep school); but whether one will read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this traditional fare in 30 minutes will very much depend on oneself, for, as Mr Gwynne makes no apology for remarking, there are no short cuts: the teacher happily, helpfully and confidently guides the pupil towards what must be learned - but the pupil himself must do the learning.
Then follows a clear explanation of what has been learnt and plenty of practice in its usage. The method continues, rejoicing as it does so in plentiful English > Latin exercise, the only way, I agree, through which a really thorough grasp of Latin can be attained.
I think this book is necessary. I think it might really work. But ...
The format. Although I think one could (should!) make a serious attempt to use Gwynne's Latin in the classroom, I fear its fate will instead be relegation to much (much!) smaller rooms: it has been presented (in brilliant yellow) as a charming little companion to that purple Christmas stocking-filler hit, Gwynne's Grammar. It has clearly been designed for the display at the front of the shop, alongside those oh-so-hilarious old-fashioned exam papers, collections of Molesworth-style howlers, 'stuff we used to know' nostalgia trips for the why-oh-why brigade (of Tunbridge Wells, I suppose? If you say so.)
This style is at best a misunderstanding, at worst a most heinous betrayal of the content and stated purpose of the book, which, like the 'Grammar', is in fact deeply serious and, I believe, right.
October 23, 2017
Gwynne's Latin is a bit of a mixed bag. It is very dedicated to his methodology, but it is quite a stretch to call it the Ultimate anything. This book only yields to the student that which they put into it - an essential truth of any language text book, ancient or modern. I will say that of the various text books using the traditional method, I've found this to be the most directly effective in terms of drilling paradigms in a useful order as well as pushing forward at a steady pace. However it is by design very stripped down and focused. Excellent for reference and for use alongside other materials, but it can become a bit of a slog for the self-learner, especially if this is the primary source used by a given student.
As an aside, I personally have used it alongside Orberg's Lingua Latina to great effect. Although their approaches are fundamentally different, the parsing-oriented Gwynn acts as a solid foundation to the natural language method in Orberg's work. I advanced through the first few chapters in Gwynn before even opening Lingua Latina and have progressed steadily. Plus, this combination has the benefit of using the same paradigm order.
As an aside, I personally have used it alongside Orberg's Lingua Latina to great effect. Although their approaches are fundamentally different, the parsing-oriented Gwynn acts as a solid foundation to the natural language method in Orberg's work. I advanced through the first few chapters in Gwynn before even opening Lingua Latina and have progressed steadily. Plus, this combination has the benefit of using the same paradigm order.
February 9, 2015
This is the most charming little Latin book I've come across-- or, perhaps, it is the author I find so charming. This cute little yellow book describes itself as "the ultimate introduction to Latin". It is, indeed, only an introduction to the grammar... you'll need another course to delve further. The author asserts that Latin will "make you better at everything else." His enthusiasm for the language is infectious. The author is classically trained, a definite plus for me. He is definitely "old school" in his educational methods, which is refreshing compared with governmental substandard intrusions into education these days.
There are 20 chapters, but only chapters 9-19 have exercises. I'm not sure if the number of exercises are sufficient, but then we've been relaxing our grip on "drill & kill" math, so maybe there's something to be said for not dragging out a lesson any more than is needed. There is an answer key at the back of the book. Also in the back is a grammar overview and vocabulary for reference. My background in Latin has been with Henle Latin and Memoria Press's Latina Christiana (and now their Second Form Latin with my youngest). I see many of the same vocab words in Gwynne's Latin as I do in the others.
Overall, I give it a thumbs up. I find myself wanting to dip into this book; I can't say the same about all our other Latin references.
You can see the author teaching Latin on YouTube here
There are 20 chapters, but only chapters 9-19 have exercises. I'm not sure if the number of exercises are sufficient, but then we've been relaxing our grip on "drill & kill" math, so maybe there's something to be said for not dragging out a lesson any more than is needed. There is an answer key at the back of the book. Also in the back is a grammar overview and vocabulary for reference. My background in Latin has been with Henle Latin and Memoria Press's Latina Christiana (and now their Second Form Latin with my youngest). I see many of the same vocab words in Gwynne's Latin as I do in the others.
Overall, I give it a thumbs up. I find myself wanting to dip into this book; I can't say the same about all our other Latin references.
You can see the author teaching Latin on YouTube here
January 15, 2021
This is maybe not the best book to learn Latin from, but if you're revising Latin and already know the basic grammar, then this book is for you.
Personally, I just could not get my head around Gwynne's writing style, and this meant that I just couldn't understand the content. Although there are some really good bits of information in here, I recommend that a different book is used beforehand to master the grammar of Latin, before opening the pages of this little book to improve Latin vocabulary.
I also found his teaching methods too old-fashioned for my taste, and I couldn't get into the book, which is a pity because if I'd persevered then I would have been able to benefit from some of the interesting things that Gwynne talks about later on in the book.
So yes, maybe not a necessity for any Latin learner's bookshelves, and really very confusing at times, though this is a good book for any that already have the understanding needed to make any sense out of Gwynne's writing!
Personally, I just could not get my head around Gwynne's writing style, and this meant that I just couldn't understand the content. Although there are some really good bits of information in here, I recommend that a different book is used beforehand to master the grammar of Latin, before opening the pages of this little book to improve Latin vocabulary.
I also found his teaching methods too old-fashioned for my taste, and I couldn't get into the book, which is a pity because if I'd persevered then I would have been able to benefit from some of the interesting things that Gwynne talks about later on in the book.
So yes, maybe not a necessity for any Latin learner's bookshelves, and really very confusing at times, though this is a good book for any that already have the understanding needed to make any sense out of Gwynne's writing!
September 6, 2017
This book is straight nonfiction. There is nothing to review by way of the book's plot or characters, but the information contained within the novel is presented very well and is certainly valuable if you find Latin valuable. Its short length implies a short read, but contained within the pages are hours and hours of memorization in every single chapter. I didn't like the voice of the author in this story. He is haughty and pretentious. Congrats Gwynne, you know Latin. At one point he literally suggests that we abandon diversity in education and teach Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin) ONLY. But I can't deny the fact that the information is presented in a very good way to help readers tackle a very difficult language.
February 16, 2021
This book proved a superb revision of the Latin I learned in school over 40 years ago. It is very dense as a lot of grammar is contained in this short book, so it requires patience and application of the part of the learner. The extensive grammar section provides a very useful, concise reference section.
Mr Gwynne has a very traditional approach to learning Latin, which took me back to my 1970's schooldays and at times shows a quirky sense of humour. Overall though, this is a serious book and will reward a serious disciple!
Mr Gwynne has a very traditional approach to learning Latin, which took me back to my 1970's schooldays and at times shows a quirky sense of humour. Overall though, this is a serious book and will reward a serious disciple!
June 16, 2019
Accomplished, thorough, well balanced; conversational, "Dear Reader", but Latin can be a little overwhelming for a new student. This will not be your final grammar (Gildersleeve's) but accomplishes its goal of installing value for and providing a good introduction to the language. Great as a primer before starting a formal course.
January 17, 2016
Sped through this on Kindle whilst on a longish train journey. It's a fascinating read, the piece around the US 'experiment' of teaching Latin to one set of children and the difference it made is quite stunning. Now need to go and do the book properly, to learn the subject.
December 26, 2014
I found the introductory material (all of the stuff before the lessons) quite tedious to read as well as a bit hypocritical, ironic and self-righteous at times. However, despite my dislike towards Gwynne's style of writing, I think this book is very good and am tempted to buy myself a copy.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews