Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes: A Companion to Wheelock's Latin and Other Introductory Textbooks

This great teaching tool is basically a collection of authentic Latin graffiti, epitaphs, inscriptions, and letters etc., many found in the Pompeii area, and range from humorous or vulgar, to romantic, to poetic or thoughtful. With the grammatical clues and vocabulary given you are tasked with translating them, much like solving a puzzle. This is also plenty of sentences to translate, a very useful appendix, and even some photos of the sites. This can be used along with Wheelock's Latin or as a companion to it. I can honestly say this is my favourite Latin book, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys puzzles or the thrill of feeling like an archaeologist. "Carthago delenda est !"

With confidence it’s a book you’ll really love. It’s full of interesting facts and very fun to read and learn from it.

I am a beginner and I study from Wheelock Latin 7th Edition. I like this READER regardless that I do not understand what I read but for few words here and there. I want to read Latin fluently and this is an excellent book to read from loud. I still learn a lot by reading from this book. I would classify it to be for a serious Latin learner rather than for only very experienced. As I study Latin, with time I will understand more and more from this reader. I recommend it for a true Latin lovers.

Great companion to Wheelock's Latin and other introductory texts. Dr. LaFleur has assembled a well chosen collection of texts that gets students reading "real" Latin. Many beginning students have found themselves agreeing with main character in Kingsley Amis's comic novel, Lucky Jim, regarding yet another assignment to translate Cicero: "that for a man so long and so thoroughly dead it was remarkable how much boredom Cicero could generate." Professor Richard A. LaFleur's Scribblers, Sculptors and Scribes provides a superb alternative or adjunct to classic Latin with well chosen passages from the graffiti of Pompeii, "Paris hic Fuit" the perennial "Kilroy was here" or the gladiator as "the heartthrob of the girls" Susirium puellarum Celadus Thrcacus. A number of letters from the Vindolanda letters such as the famous birthday invitation by the wife of Roman Officer at fort near Hadrians wall are included, as well as examples of electoral programmata,campaigns and politics of Pompeii. LaFleur's text is nicely illustrated with well chosen images of graffiti, tomb inscriptions etc.

This book is a very interesting and enjoyable addition to the basin Wheelock's Latin textbook. The author builds his exercises very carefully to augment the basic textbook exercises. I would say this is a great book for the student who really wants to learn, and who is aiming for an "A" in the course. If you are studying independently it can replace some of the extra value you get when you have an experienced teacher to provide enrichment in the classroom.

A great companion! My students are able to really engage with the snippets and scribbles despite being (currently) at a very rudimentary level. The beginning ones are extremely short and I could wish for more, but it provides good extra practice.

This is a wonderful source for supplemental material for students. The background information along with history provides a resource for students who want MORE! It does serve as a way to keep the language relevant and alive.

This book makes an excellent addition to the library of any student of Latin. Extra texts of Latin are always welcome, & the ones included in this book are both interesting and varied. It is NOT necessary to be using Wheelock's course to take advantage of this book. It will fit in with any method you are using. Highly recommended.

I've spent many hours with this book and still find lots to learn from and interest me. A good read and very helpful to study from

for the student of classical Latin... interesting examples not found together elsewhere.

Este é antes um livro de curiosidades que um de prática, prática mesmo. Para quem estuda latim com afinco e de vez em quando precisa dar uma respirada e procurar coisa mais leve. Esse livro é assim. Além disso, caso se queira compulsar este volume para aumentar a compreensão do Latim e desenvolver uma maior familiaridade com a cultura que ele modelou, é perfeito.

an excellent book that allows me to add real Latin to my lectures.

Importante suplemento com excelentes textos comentados, gramática, provérbios e ditos latinos, e vocabulários com muitas palavras traduzidas. Excelente complemento da gramática principal Wheelock's Latin, 7th edition, 2011, para os que quiserem se aprofundar no conhecimento do Latim.