The Gallic War

This product is superb for Latin learners. One the even pages there is the original Latin text, and opposite it on the odd pages is an English translation. The English tries to stay fairly true to the Latin, so if you get stuck with the Latin you can just look across the page to find out the meaning of a word or phrase. As a result, though, the English is possibly less rhetorical than other translations, as is pretty much always the case with translations that stay as true as possible to the source material. So, if you only want an English copy of this book, this one won't read as smoothly or poetically as many others. But if you want a Latin copy with English there to help you if you ever get stuck, this is perfect.The maps at the back (one is fold-out!) are wonderful. They make it easy to track Caesar's progress as he describes it in the text. He was such a refreshingly clear writer that he describes each location or country in detail before going on to say what actually happened there, so even without a map you have a good idea of the lay of the land. As with all good historical works, Caesar explains the relevant details and reasons of everything: he doesn't merely say, "This country attacked that one," but he says why they felt compelled to attack by giving a paragraph or two to describe, say, the political climate of the last few years in that country. There is also a short guide to the various military formations and strategies of the time, which is pretty cool. At the beginning, before everything else, there is a brief biography of Caesar himself, so even someone who has only vaguely heard of him can still enjoy the book thoroughly. It is complete (all 8 books) and self-contained: no other materials necessary (dictionaries, maps, etc.)Someone else commented that their copy was hard to read, being black text on grey paper. This is not standard for Loeb books, and I suspect that what they received was a poor copy. Mine was normal, easy-to-read text, as is to be expected of the Loeb Classical Library. Make sure you get the real thing and you'll be fine.I think this is a perfect first Latin book for people who have finished a basic text and want to step things up a notch. If you've done most of Wheelock's, or Orberg's wonderful Lingua Latina, then you'll immediately understand most of this without needing the English at all. I loved being able to check the meaning of unusual, military-specific words, so it was perfect. It's a small book, 17cm x 11.5cm x 3cm (3cm thick because it's 600 pages long), so it's easy to take it with me on the bus or to the bank to read while waiting. I try to read at least one chapter every day; textbooks are great, but the fluency granted by frequently reading decent amounts of actual Latin simply cannot be underrated.

I like the Greek on one side and English on the other

I ordered this using my grandson's wish list for Christmas without realizing how small the book wactually was for the price.

This review is primarily for readers interested in the Latin correspondence. There are footnotes here and there, but I've definitely read Loebs that were more passionately dedicated to assisting their readers with historical context. Edwards' work is just so-so, as Loebs go. On the other hand, Caesar's prose is painfully (or beautifully?) dull, making the English translation generally painless and straightforward. Edwards' translation is readable and effective, but let's be honest, it's hard to screw up Caesar.Honestly, new students of Latin who want to access Caesar might prefer to a more accessible cut of the text, like Steadman's College Caesar. I've not looked at the Steadman but his editions are generally spot on for educators and students. Bear in mind that the whole of the Gallic commentaries are more than 300 pages of Latin text, so unless you're a quick reader or passionate about repetitive military records and obscure geography, don't injure yourself by committing to the whole of Caesar. Caesar's a great introduction Latin, but after about half of the Gallic Wars I can imagine that readers would be ready to move onto something more compelling, like Ovid or Virgil.

This edition has the original Latin on the left pages and H.J. Edwards' translation on the right, making it perfect for students of Latin, or for researchers who want to delve a little deeper into how a particular passage has been translated. The back matter includes maps of several battles (including a foldout of the entire region) and diagrams. This particular translation is almost 100 years old now but it has aged well and doesn't have the stuffy feel that other works of this age have. All in all, a lovely edition of this work and one that I'm proud to have in my library.

Caesar's writing is clear, cogent and concise. He paints a complete picture of the time, the place, the culture and the behavior of Romans and Gauls at the time of the Gallic wars. It is a harsh and cruel world he describes. Reading it makes you realize that Caesar was a brilliant strategist, tactician, psychologist, and politician. He was genuinely courageous, and in battle he led from the front, a tactic that motivates his legionnaires like nothing else can.All in all, Caesar's The Gallic War is a remarkable document.

Book was as expected! Condition was very good, arrived on time. Takes some time to get used to the writing style, language but like reading a Shakespeare play once you get in the "groove" its fun reading. Good exposure to Ceasar and his thinking.

This is based solely on the physical book, not the content! The spine on mine came completely pulled away from the pages. Wasn’t a shipping issue either, since the outer and inner box were in great shape. Hoping the replacement Amazon is sending is better, but I’m not optimistic.Note- to the people who say there are no maps, etc. there are some at least in the hardcover version at the very back.

Ok

今回こちらの手違いにより、追加の手続きが発生してしまいましたが、とても丁寧で迅速に対応して下さいました。商品の状態も良く、感謝しています。

As an approach to ‘recovering’ my Latin I tackled ‘The Gallic War’ by Julius Caesar, translated by H. J. Edwards (1917). It’s published in the Loeb Edition which proved perfect for my purpose – Latin one side & English on the opposite page. I would tackle a short passage in Latin, check my version word for word with the translation (particularly noting differences (mistakes!); sometimes I could make little sense of the Latin and so I read the English version checking word for word with the Latin & then tackled the Latin for a second time. It proved an excellent technique and I’ve certainly made progress!The Lain is very concise, Caesar is very fond of using infinitive + accusative or ablative absolute for producing sharp writing – compare Hemmingway for approach. A major problem I found was how he would organise the order of these short phrases. Here the translation proved invaluable.The translation flowed very easily – but sometimes deceptively so. For example, in Book VIII:8 (P.528) Caesar ‘set forth everything that had been reported to him‘ for ‘rebus eis quae ad se essent delatae’. But ‘essent is subjunctive so shouldn’t it be ‘everything which might be being reported to him’. This is a slightly darker reflection on Caesar’s style of sharing ideas with subordinates. The translation is easier to absorb. Likewise in Book VII:62 (P.468) we have ‘inde cum omnibus copiis ad Caesarem pervenit’ translated as’Marching thence with all his force, he reached Caesar on the third day.’ Can anyone see any reference to a third day in the Latin? Incidentally note the rather antiquated language which might put some readers off.There were two side-effects from how I read this book. Firstly my long admiration for Roman toughness and organisation was enhanced by getting so close to the original. Secondly, I was aware of a gripping excitement which wouldn’t have been there if just reading a modern account. Caesar certainly was a good writer – but also a good propagandist. For example on PP.83-87 there is a detailed description of Roman defensive measures vs. overwhelming opposition at Alesia. Surely nothing can handle this level of defence (leaving ied’s way behind) and yet in a few pages on the Romans are fighting for survival with scarcely any mention of such ‘welcomes’ as ‘cippus’ (= ‘tombstones’ or in this case hidden stakes for the enemy to impale themselves on).At the end there are SOME good maps (others are too complex in monotone) and an excellent description of aspects of Roman military matters. Often I was reminded of wars from the 19th century (e.g. Rourke’s Drift in 1879 which formed the basis for the film ‘Zulu’). May I add that, perhaps just in my imagination, Caesar’s ‘racist’ attitude towards the Gauls was less apparent in describing the natives on visiting Britain in 55 & 54 B.C.E.In sum, well worth 5 stars.

a great book with lots of amazing information.a must read for a history lover.will recommend it to others.a must buy too

La guerre des Gaules à ce prix-là, ça ne se refuse pas ! La typographie est un peu serrée et la qualité un peu cheap, mais bon c'est vraiment pas cher !