Latin Grammar: Grammar Vocabularies, and Exercises in Preparation for the Reading of the Missal and Breviary Paperback – January 1, 1976

About paperback edition of 1976, this has a green cover with only text none illustration, but that doesn't mean this lack of worth, really Scanlon and Scanlon's books are a good way to learn Latin, well, this is Ecclesiastical Latin, but very useful to read Medieval text as Jerome's Vulgate and moderns religious documents.Latin Grammar is a beginner text, and guide you through the world of Latin without the intricate morphological and syntactical normal discussions of classic text, of course, you could get maximum benefit if you know classical Latin before use this kind of book, specially talking about the treatment of verbs, Scanlon shows Latin as a modern language using infinitive form before the traditional first singular person to present them.About vocabulary, this volume has a great and complete list of words of Latin, pointed to Catholic Church's Traditions, but usable for all those who want read not only the classic text but also philosophical and theological treatises from XV to XIX centuries. There isn't any exercise to translate English to Latin, this means this is a book focused in learn how to read this old language. For not catholic's learners this book could seem too much doctrinal, but this is really has too much worth to understand a way of thinking.I recommend this book as a companion of other grammar books, or if you want just study Latin to understand the movie's Latin, the most of them using more Ecclesiastical than Classical Latin, or as a simple curiosity, but I strong recommend if you want understand the second volume as well.

If, like me, you want to teach yourself Latin so that you can read the Vulgate and the Breviary, then you have only two choices of introductory texts here at Amazon: Scanlon & Scanlon's "Latin Grammar" and John F. Collins "A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin". Both texts are intended for classroom use.Collins slowly introduces you to Latin grammar while building up your Latin vocabulary. Scanlon & Scanlon tend to push you through the grammar more quickly, relying on cognates early on to help you cope with the vocabulary. Scanlon & Scanlon supply accent marks in all their texts and vocabularies to show you which syllable to accent; this is very helpful if you are teaching yourself. Collins provides macrons to mark long vowels in his texts and vocabularies; these suffice to let you figure out for yourself where the accent is, and they help you appreciate the meters used in classical poetry. For those who care about such things, physically Collins is clearly superior, with larger pages and larger type and plentiful margins. Scanlon & Scanlon comes with a splendid vocabulary in the appendix, small but complete, for reading the Breviary, the Missal, and the Gospels.My approach to teaching myself Latin is "Teach me the grammar, give me a dictionary, and let me at the text". So I much prefer Scanlon & Scanlon to Collins. If you want to take the grammar more slowly though, you'll probably prefer Collins.Honorable mention goes to Gavin Betts who wrote an excellent textbook, "Latin: A Complete Course (Teach Yourself)", that is intended for self-teaching. Unfortunately, its emphasis is almost entirely classical. Still, Classical and Ecclesiastical Latin are similar enough that it makes a good supplement to either Scanlon & Scanlon or Collins.If you choose Collins, once you start reading the Vulgate, you'll probably want Leo F. Stelten's "Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin". Neither the Cassel's nor Chambers-Murray nor even the Oxford Latin Dictionary is adequate, although Lewis and Short's is, if you can afford it.

Allow me to echo most of the other reviews in that the glossary at the end of the book is thorough and a key element of this book.Beyond that, the book is specifically aimed at learning the Latin used in the Ordinary Mass, the three Requiem Masses, and the Roman Breviary. The chapters begin with vocabulary then follow with grammar lessons. Several sections of exercises, reading, and translation conclude the chapter. I guess what I appreciate about the book's organization is that the Lessons are succinct and focused.My only complaint is that the book does not have an answer key nor is there even one available for sale a la Collins. I probably would have given this book four-stars had I not found an answer key online ([see comments]). The answer key is only complete through Lesson 12 (of 20) but that should suffice for quite some time. The availability of an answer key online enhances the effectiveness of this book, thus five-stars.Dominus tecum

This is a used book that arrived on time and looks like new. In the front are the pronunciation guide, nouns declensions, verb endings and so forth. It has a good Latin to English dictionary in the back. I just wish an answer key for some of the exercises and reading lessons was still available. Some of them are fairly easy to translate and others not so easy. I suspect when I start from the beginning, it will be easier as the Latin words and endings are introduced slowly. I think it is better to go through some easier Latin books, as I have, before buying this one unless one has a teacher.

While this book is not really intended for beginning students of Classical Latin, it is a wonderful review. I bought this to have a better understanding of the syntax and vocabulary for Latin Mass/ Breviary. It is a wonderful tool for this. I especially enjoyed the explanations of the cognates. There is an answer key available now out there as well @ Dominican Liturgy Publications. Nice to be able to check your work!