The Latin Tamer: Mastering the Language of Rome

by Ward Farnsworth

Learn to read the Romans! This book is an exciting new way to discover the Latin language. Whether you want to master it or just see enough to enjoy some time travel, The Latin Tamer makes the journey a pleasure.



This book’s approach to Latin is distinctive. It teaches the language through thousands of real ancient quotations. Every quotation is explained on the spot, so you’ll never be confused about what the words mean and why. This approach lets you learn about topics in any order that works best for you. It makes Latin fun.


The Latin Tamer is written with the clarity found in all of Ward Farnsworth’s books. Every idea is explained in plain language and illustrated with charming examples. The book is especially ideal if you’re interested in Stoicism and other great ideas from the classical world. It contains countless illustrations from Seneca the Younger, Cicero, and other thinkers whose insights have stood the test of time. You’ll learn Latin by reading the writers who interest you the most.



Latin puts you into direct contact with the thought and culture of the ancient Roman world. It lets you enjoy beautiful ways of saying things that can’t be experienced in English. Knowing Latin, or even just being familiar with it, is an improvement to the quality of life of any thinking person. Let The Latin Tamer be your guide.

736 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Ward Farnsworth is Dean and John Jeffers Research Chair at the University of Texas School of Law. He formerly was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at the Boston University Law School. He has served as a law clerk to Anthony M. Kennedy of the United States Supreme Court and to Richard A. Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and worked as a Legal Adviser to the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal in the Hague. He received his J.D. with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and his B.A. from Wesleyan University.

Farnsworth is the author of books on law, philosophy, rhetoric, and chess. He also has published scholarly articles on the economic analysis of law, constitutional law, statutory interpretation, jurisprudence, and cognitive psychology. He serves as Reporter for the American Law Institute’s Restatement Third, Torts: Liability for Economic Harm.

Reviews

[Nicki Markus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Latin Tamer is a doorstop of a book but nonetheless a useful and enjoyable one. The book's grammatical explanations are clear and concise, and amply illustrated by a curated list of examples in every instance. Over the chapters, all aspects of Latin required for reading comprehension (including pronunciation) are covered, and there is even an accompanying website with further illustrations and audio recordings. I tested the website out, but while the longer audio clips played, the smaller ones for the illustrations by book chapter did not. However, I note that I am reading an ARC, so it is likely the website is still being finalised and these will no doubt work by the time the book releases. I found this book fascinating, but I have always been a nerd about grammar, including foreign-language grammar. For anyone looking for a light intro to Latin, though, this will likely be too much and off-putting, as even with jokes and fun examples this remains a solid plod through complex grammatical explanations. For those with only a vague interest in the topic, I would recommend starting with something lighter, but for those more determined Latin scholars, The Latin Tamer would certainly be a valuable resource. I am giving it 4.5 stars.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.