Latin course for the Virtual School of Languages
Recommended Latin books
On this page I'm going to give you recommendations for 3 kinds of Latin books:
1. Reference books, e. g. courses, exercise books, grammars, dictionaries etc.
2. Books that were translated into Latin for learners and that are therefore not as
difficult to read as original works.
3. Original books (mostly classics like De bello gallico).
All titles are linked to their related page on Amazon.com, so that you can read
more information, excerpts and other users' opinions of the book you have chosen.
Besides, if you then decide to buy a book directly from the page you were linked to,
the Latin course will receive a small percentage of the book price as referral fee (while
the book isn't more expensive for you). If you have decided to buy a book anyway,
this is a great way of making a small contribution to the Latin course, which doesn't
cost you anything.
Please scroll down to the section that interests you.
1. Reference works
a) Dictionaries:
Latin electronic dictionaries, translators & software
Cassell's Latin dictionary: searchable in both directions, for intermediate learners
who want to read works in classical Latin
Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin: only Latin-English, covers church Latin as it is
used in the Vulgate and documents of the Vatican.
Colin's Gem Latin dictionary: pocket dictionary, searchable in both directions,
might not be enough to read original works (user opinion)
b) Grammar references:
501 Latin verbs
Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar: Detailed reference grammar for
advanced students.
A Latin grammar: A concise grammar for beginners and advanced students.
c) Course materials:
A primer of Ecclesiastical Latin: Learn to read church Latin within a year!
Latin for all occasions: Latin chitchat, bumper stickers, personal ads etc.
Learn Latin via Ovid: This course is based on Ovid's myths and enables you to
understand his poetry in 40 lessons.
Oxford Latin course, part 1: Course in classical Latin, specially edited for use at
North American schools.
Wheelock's Latin textbook: Course in classical Latin, standard textbook in many
schools.
A comprehensive guide to Wheelock's Latin: Explains the grammar in more detail.
Workbook for Wheelock's Latin: Accompanying exercises.
d) Computer programs
Rosetta Stone Latin: Learn Latin like you learned your native language, without
grammar rules or translations. Get 2 free online lessons!
Talk now! Latin: offers lots of games and quizzes on Latin. For beginners.
2. Translated books
a) Translations of popular literature
Arbor alma: "The giving tree" in Latin.
Cattus petasatus: "The cat in the hat" in Latin.
Ferdinandus taurus: "Ferdinand" in Latin.
Harrius Potter et philosophi Lapis: "Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone" in Latin.
Magnus mirabilis in Oz: The first of the "The wizard of Oz" series in Latin.
Makita: "Makita" in Latin.
Quomodo Invidiosulus Nomine Grinchus Christi Natalem Abrogaverit: "How the
Grinch stole Christmas" in Latin.
Regulus: "The little prince" in Latin.
Ursus nomine Paddington: "Paddington the bear" in Latin
Winnie Ille Pu: "Winnie the Pooh" in Latin.
Winnie Ille Pu semper ludet: "The house at Pooh corner" in Latin.
b) Comic books
Asterix apud Britannos: "Asterix in Britain" in Latin.
Asterix apud Gothos: "Asterix and the Goths" in Latin.
Asterix atque Olla Cypria: "Asterix and the cauldron" in Latin.
Asterix certamen principum: "Asterix and the big fight" in Latin.
Asterix et Cleopatra: "Asterix and Cleopatra" in Latin.
Asterix et Normanni: "Asterix and the Normans" in Latin.
Asterix gallus: The first band of Asterix in Latin.
Asterix in Hispania: "Asterix in Hispania" in Latin.
Asterix Legionarius: "Asterix the legionary" in Latin.
Asterix Olympius: "Asterix at the Olympic games" in Latin.
Caesaris bellum helveticum: Comic book retelling of the first book of Caesar's Gallic
war.
Filius Asterigis: "Asterix and son" in Latin.
Fossa alta: "Asterix and the big divide" in Latin.
Odyssea Asterigis: "Asterix and the black gold" in Latin.
c) Simplified editions of original works
38 Latin stories: the stories become increasingly difficult and provide a smooth
transition from reading course material to original works.
Caesaris bellum helveticum: Comic book retelling of the first book of Caesar's Gallic
war.
Fabulae mirabilis: Fairy tales in Latin.
3. Original works
Augustus: Res gestae divi Augusti: Augustus about his achievements. Annotated for
students.
Caesar: De bello Gallico: The Gallic war. If the original is too difficult
for you, get for the comic edition of the first book.
Caesar: The civil war: With English translations.
Catullus: Student's Catullus: Annotated for students.
Cicero: First Catilinarian: Annotated for students.
Historia Apollonii regis Tyri: One of the few Latin prose novels found. Easy to read and
an exciting storyline.
Livy: History of Rome, Books 1-2: With English translations next to the Latin text.
Missal for praying the traditional mass: With prayers in Latin and translations.
Ovid: Selections from Ars Amatoria and Remedia Amoris: Annotated for students.
Ovid: The Student's Ovid: Selections from the Metamorphoses. Annotated for students.
Pliny the younger: Letters and Panegyricus: Also contains the accounts on the erruption
of Mt. Vesuvius. With English translations.
Suetonius: The lives of the Caesars: Biographies of the first 12 emperors. With
English translations next to the Latin text.
Tacitus: Histories I-III: A chronicle of the events of 69AD and 70AD.
Tacitus: Histories IV-V, Annals I-III
Vergil: Aeneid: The story of Aeneas. Epic.
Vulgate: Novum Testamentum: The new testament in Latin.
Vulgate: Novum Testamentum Graece et Latine: The new testament in Greek and Latin.