Customer Reviews:
Wonderful prose rendition.......2007-03-26
I've read the Aeneid in verse, but this (high) prose translation of Virgil's great work knocked me over. The beauty and the power of the epic is so evident! The translator, David West, argues in the translator's introduction that the received wisdom that epics are best rendered into verse does not do justice to the power and range of modern English prose. I think he's right.
For anyone, like myself, whose eye is more accustomed to prose than poetry, this is a far better way to read this great classic. No doubt others are fine with verse (I like the translation by Stanley Lombardo), but I'm sure many modern readers will love a prose translation that is both clear and accessible but does not compromise on beauty in any way.
Excellent Book Purchase Transaction.......2005-09-06
I ordered this book for my son's Latin class in high school -- he, of course, had not told me he needed it until the summer was almost over! This seller was quick to respond and the book was exactly as advertised. All in all a great transaction.
A Diamond in a Decade of Epics.......2004-05-21
In a decade in which epics such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "Troy" have gained enormous popularity in theaters, Virgil's "The Aeneid" remains one of the greatest epics ever written. From the passionate affair between Aeneas and Dido to Aeneas' duty and quest to establish the new Troy (i.e., Rome) the reader will not only be entertained, but also thought provoked with the various concepts presented by Virgil. Virgil's expertise in the art of poetry is hardly ever matched by anyone past or present, thus establishing his epic for generations to come. You are at a serious loss if you do not read this classic text.
"Somewhere In Between Prose and Verse".......2001-12-01
For individuals less inclined to reading verse, David West's prose translation will come as a long-awaited relief. David West does not discard those elements that make Virgil so pleasant to read, and suprisingly manages to convert and preserve the original song and eloquence that marks the beauty of Virgil's great classic, the Aenied. In contrast with other editions this is moderately recommended.
Fortune favors the bold.......2000-06-12
David West renders this classical work accessible with a flare and sensibility that is truly rare. In so doing he brings this masterpiece from the realm of scholars into the hearts and minds of students worldwide. West captures the pure power and scale and grandeur of Virgil through his enormous talent for rendering epic poetry into prose. And for me the words ring true through the accessible prose style of West. He is worthy of great credit for opening this ancient, mystical tale of war and peace, adventure and love, quest and conquest to students who can benefit from its richness. In many ways Aeneas is an ideal man: smart, strong, bold and existentially insatiable. Because so much can be learned from this one epic work, West has done us a great favor in the boldness of his vivid prose. Purists and elitists may advocate looking elsewhere. But for my money, Virgil comes alive in the fortunately forged prose of West. His rendering of this astonishing tale has left an indelible mark for the better in my life. Personally, I feel that I am a richer man intellectually because of the talent with which West enabled me to connect with Virgil.
Book Description
Translated with an Introduction by David West.
Customer Reviews:
Exsquisitely Readable, Deliciously Poetic.......2007-07-28
Despite being presented in a prose format, David West's is the most poetic modern English Aeneid around. The words just keep coming, rolling and rich with inventive clarity, senuous allusions, roiling action and stirring speeches, all without the distraction of broken lines, poetic meters and awkward constructions. It has been hard for me to put down, and often hard to refrain from quoting to uninterested persons, particularly in the case of descriptions of Dido's lovesickness. A truly great translation of a great book.
The range, power, and beauty of modern English prose.......2007-03-26
I've read the Aeneid in verse, but this (high) prose translation of Virgil's great work knocked me over. The beauty and the power of the epic is so evident! The translator, David West, argues in the translator's introduction that the received wisdom that epics are best rendered into verse does not do justice to the power and range of modern English prose. I think he's right.
For anyone, like myself, whose eye is more accustomed to prose than poetry, this is a far better way to read this great classic. No doubt others are fine with verse (I like the translation by Stanley Lombardo), but I'm sure many modern readers will love a prose translation that is both clear and accessible but does not compromise on beauty in any way.
Exceptionally good rendition of Virgil's masterpiece........2006-10-09
Let me preface my remarks by saying that the true purist of classic literature may well be turned off by this volume. I however, am not a literary purist, so I render my judgment on this book as one who reads for the sheer pleasure of enjoying great literature. With that out of the way, on to the review itself.
I thought professor David West did a masterful job of adding life to an already great narrative about the epic hero Aeneas. By rendering this tale in prose rather than verse, he skillfully and carefully adds an easy flow to the text while losing none of the splendor, style or visceral punch of the original. Readers who have already experienced the writings of Homer and verse translations of Virgil will find it easy to recognize the same literary elements and narrative flavor as these other classics. Professor West has rendered this new version with due sensitivity to the greatness of the original, and with an evident expertise that should satisfy all but the most ardent critics.
As to the story itself, it traces the wanderings of the Trojan warrior Aeneas from the fall of Troy, to Carthage, and on to Latium as he follows the oracles of the gods to reestablish a new Trojan civilization that will one day become Rome. This tale, inspired by Homer, combines the best elements of the Iliad and the Oddysey. Aeneas, son of Venus, faces a series of challenges wrought by the animosity of Juno, as he strives to fulfill the destiny that the oracles have set before him. Upon his arrival in Latium, he is forced to fight a war whose tale captures the epic nature if not the grand scope of the battle for Troy. Heroic exploits are not lacking among either the Trojans, their Arcadian allies, or their Latin enemies, as Aeneas proves his mettle against the fearsome Turnus.
For those who have never read Virgil, or who are not committed to reading it as a purist, this version of the Aeneid is an excellent choice. If you haven't already done so, I strongly recommend that you read the Iliad and the Oddysey first. Otherwise you'll miss much of the flavor, and many of the allusions to Homer's works, that are liberally interspersed throughout this tale. An excellent version of a great classic.
Neglected classic?.......2005-10-09
I only recently read the very famous Homer books, 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' in translation (knowing no Greek); they are slower going than modern stories (maybe because they are less about feelings and intimate relationships) but leave a much deeper impression, and I would recommend anyone at all curious about them to go ahead. But this - maybe much well less known, translated (into something very readable) from Latin, about exiled Trojans who settle in Italy and ultimately found Rome - is at least as worthwhile, and even a better place to start (shorter overall than either, its first half is modelled on 'Odyssey' and its second on 'Iliad').
Clearly and Skillfully Rendered.......2005-02-25
David West's translation of this epic (actually rather manageably sized when compared with the Odyssey) pulls away from the tradition of the translations from the first half or so of the 20th century, in which great works of grand Greek and Latin poetry were forced unyieldingly into affected (and often stilted) English verse (think Fitzgerald's beautiful but distractingly florid renditions). West charts a different course, reflecting more modern trends in scholarship. He chooses not to match verse with verse and recreate the epic in English in an attempt to draw the contemporary reader into it as deeply as the original reader. Instead, he conveys as much of the original epic's meaning and nuance as possible in simple, clear, surprisingly elegant prose, allowing Vergil himself to draw the reader in once more.
This is a lucid, graceful delivery of the Aeneid. It's an enjoyable read that moves quickly and offers more of the original than any other translation. I've read several, and this mature, well-presented work is the most useful, satisfying, and accessible of all. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Book Description
Still funny after two thousand years, the Roman playwright Plautus wrote around 200 B.C.E., a period when Rome was fighting neighbors on all fronts, including North Africa and the Near East. These three plays--originally written for a wartime audience of refugees, POWs, soldiers and veterans, exiles, immigrants, people newly enslaved in the wars, and citizens--tap into the mix of fear, loathing, and curiosity with which cultures, particularly Western and Eastern cultures, often view each other, always a productive source of comedy. These current, accessible, and accurate translations have replaced terms meaningful only to their original audience, such as references to Roman gods, with a hilarious, inspired sampling of American popular culture--from songs to movie stars to slang. Matching the original Latin line for line, this volume captures the full exuberance of Plautus's street language, bursting with puns, learned allusions, ethnic slurs, dirty jokes, and profanities, as it brings three rarely translated works--Weevil (Curculio), Iran Man (Persa), and Towelheads (Poenulus)--to a wide contemporary audience.
Richlin's erudite introduction sets these plays within the context of the long history of East-West conflict and illuminates the role played by comedy and performance in imperialism and colonialism. She has also provided detailed and wide-ranging contextual introductions to the individual plays, as well as extensive notes, which, together with these superb and provocative translations, will bring Plautus alive for a new generation of readers and actors.
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Horace Odes II: Vatis Amici
Horace , and
David West
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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Horace Odes III Dulce Periculum: Text, Translation, and Commentary
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Horace Odes I: Carpe Diem
ASIN: 0198721625 |
Book Description
In these odes Horace creates lyric poetry in Latin which stands comparison with anything written by his brilliant predecessors in Greek. Of the three books published together in 23 BC the second is in many ways the most rewarding. The first ode, for instance, looks back at the civil wars fought by Caesar and Pompey, and by Octavian and Antony, from the point of view of Horace and his friend Pollio who both took part in them. There are also poems of friendship which give insight into the social and intellectual tone of the age of the first Roman emperor Augustus, and Horace's unique, elusive sense of humour is in evidence throughout. This book contains the Latin text (from the Oxford Classical Text), a translation which attempts to be close to the Latin while catching as much as possible of the flavour of the original, and a commentary which tries to suggest how these poems work as poetry.
Average customer rating:
- Clear translation; helpful, thought-provoking commentary
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Horace Odes I: Carpe Diem
Horace , and
David West
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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Binding: Paperback
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Horace Odes II: Vatis Amici
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Horace Odes III Dulce Periculum: Text, Translation, and Commentary
ASIN: 0198721617 |
Book Description
Though Horace is a great poet, much loved and imitated in the past, he is very little read today. This is partly because he has never been translated into readable English that is also faithful to the Latin original. David West here provides such a translation of one of Horace's greatest
works, and supports it with a basic commentary that will help newcomers to Horace--whether students or general readers--to understand how the poetry works.
Customer Reviews:
Clear translation; helpful, thought-provoking commentary.......1999-01-30
This is an excellent place for someone who knows some Latin, but isn't an advanced student of the language, to start Horace (it worked for me, anyway). There's a brief,tantalising introduction to the poet's life and times, well-printed Latin texts and accurate but fluid English translations that leave just enough unsaid to puzzle the reader into thinking further (as Horace does himself in the Latin). The commentaries are well-written, accessible to all, and don't skip the difficulties. There are good notes on the metres, though putting them at the end of the book is a pity - too much flitting backwards and forwards is needed, and a non-latinist who is also not a musician might need a bit more explanation of how to apply them. The other commentaries (e.g. Nisbet and Hubbard) are cited and put into context where they're useful. The Odes, explained like this, are a revelation, and you may find yourself (as I did) involuntarily and painlessly memorising phrases or even whole verses of the Latin while reading through. Perhaps you'll also be stimulated to try out your own English verse translations of some of the poems. Very occasionally West has a rather eccentric interpretation of a word or image, but he always flags his own unorthodoxy, and in general he translates and explains clearly and modestly - you can disagree with him when you need to, without feeling patronised or let down. Above all, West transmits his strong affection for the very likeable Horace, whose tone he describes well, and often captures - a tone that moves quickly from light, worldy-wise irony to a serious view of fame, heroism, love, friendship and death, and back again to caustic wit, like clouds flitting quickly across a windy summer sky. The poems make you want to go and live in Ancient Rome - or rather, in the campagna outside it. These are some of the finest and most perfect poems ever written. So get a good Lewis and Short dictionary (that's the only important bit missing from the book) and "Carpe diem" - pluck the day.
Book Description
The Illustrated History of the World is a lavishly illustrated edition of J. M. Roberts's bestselling History of the World. Now completely revised and updated, each volume of this comprehensive reference work traces the tumultuous story of humankind from prehistory to the end of the 20th century. The rise and fall of civilizations; the impact of powerful individuals on world events; the interplay of state and religion; the social and economic factors that influence societies--these are some of the themes of this masterful, sweeping narrative. Over 2,000 photographs in color and black-and-white present a unique visual panoply of the march of history. In addition, more than 200 maps and artworks in full color underscore important events. Fully integrated sidebars and feature boxes narrow in on key themes, providing an additional layer of interest. Each volume also contains a double-page, illustrated chronology of major events, plus a bibliography and detailed index. Authoritative, brilliantly written, and superbly illustrated, this outstanding and popular work of scholarship makes the whole sweep of history vivid and accessible as never before.
Customer Reviews:
nice addition.......2007-09-08
Very pleasing book with good quality illustrations of the most important works of art and architecture. A nice addition to anyone's library.
A colorful and informative book.......2003-05-22
This book is the third volume in the wonderful Illustrated History of the World Series. This book covers Rome, from it's founding, through the rise of Christianity and the twilight of the Classical world. Along the way, the reader is treated to many colorful maps and pictures, and interesting sidebars.
I really enjoyed this colorful and informative book. It gives the reader a good grounding in understanding ancient Rome, and even went into wonderful detail on things that I did not know, such as Judaism under Rome. Overall, I liked the book, and highly recommend it.
Well-Written and Beautifully Illustrated.......2002-03-19
Rome and the Classical West is volume three of a ten volume series called The Illustrated History of the World. The first volume covered the origins of the human race through the first civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. The second volume in the series reviewed the early cultures of India and China and then moved on to discuss Greek civilization. This third volume covers the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, from 800 BCE to 600 CE.
The book is filled with beautiful color illustrations. Every page has at least one and most are photographs of artifacts, art works, or scenes. The text is well written and emphasizes brief summaries rather than scholarly examination. This makes it a good basic introduction and outline, but may be less useful to someone who wants to look at these subjects in greater depth. The lack of any bibliography of further readings is also a drawback for those wanting to seek more information. A two-page time chart of the period helps to put events in perspective. The chapter contents are confusingly placed at the end of the book, but they are well done and helpful for getting an overview of the author's approach. A two page listing of all the books in the series with their section and chapter titles helps to put the material into the broader view of all world history.
If you want an entertaining introduction to the beginnings of the Roman Empire, its relationship to the Greek civilization, the rise of the Ceasars, the role of Judaism and the birth of Christianity, the division into East and West, the Christianization of the Empire, and its final demise in the West, this is a great book to read. I learned the difference between Visigoths and Ostragoths and why Germanic peoples are called Arians. There is a great discussion of St. Augustine's influence, the rise of the Roman Catholic church, and the division between it and the Byzantine church.
The type face is large and the lines are amply spaced. Couple this with the copious illustrations and the book is actually a very quick read for its size and length. It is a few steps above the approach of Dorling Kindersley books that are predominately illustrations with supporting text. With Roberts, the text is the major part, but the illustrations are definitely more than an after thought. This is a good introduction for the general reader. It is not going to be a lasting reference book that you will turn to again and again. Read it once and move on.
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Ancient West & East
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 9004129596 |
Book Description
This new journal from Brill makes many important promises to all scholars interested in the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean and the Near East and the interactions between them. ... By opening a regular avenue for cooperation and conversation among scholars from many disciplines and countries, AWE has a real potential for fulfilling the promises it makes. BMCR 2003.08.09
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Ancient West and East, Vol. 1 (Ancient West & East)
M. Fischer
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
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ASIN: 9004128131 |
Book Description
This book completes the coverage of Hadrian's Wall begun in Fascicule 1, covering sculpture finds and other artifacts from such important sites as Housesteads and Vindolanda.
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Contact Problems in the Classical Theory of Elasticity (Monographs and Textbooks on Mechanics of Solids and Fluids.)
G.M. Gladwell
Manufacturer: Springer
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ASIN: 9028607609 |
Books:
- The Afghan Campaign: A novel
- The Age of Faith, Part IV, A History of Medieval Civilization--Christian, Islamic, and Judaic--from Constantine to Dante: A.D. 325 - 1300
- The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
- The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia 4 volume Paperback Set (Cambridge History of Southeast Asia)
- The Cambridge Illustrated History of France (Cambridge Illustrated Histories)
- The Communist Manifesto (Signet Classics)
- The Complete Anne of Green Gables Boxed Set (Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, ... Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside)
- The Condition of Postmodernity: An Enquiry into the Origins of Cultural Change
- The Fight for Jerusalem: Radical Islam, the West, and the Future of the Holy City
- The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 8)
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Vergil's Aeneid: Selections from Books 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12
Vergil's Aeneid, Books I-VI
Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics)
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