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Klaber's wired-in work makes all the others' works putter off into nattering nabobs of nonsensical noise as he delicately delves into this June 4, 1968 seminal tragedy. Klaber kooks the krime and katers to only the most diskriminating kats.
What's Klaber writing about now?
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This is a professional, mature approach to selling that is sadly rare in the profession.
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The Aeneid is often called the founding epic of the Roman Empire. I think this requires a little explanation. The Romans absorbed almost completely the culture and art of Greece, and Homer's 'Illiad' and "Oddessy' were well known to the Romans. Virgil's 'Aeneid' is stylistically derived from Homer, but Virgil breaks new ground as well. Virgil's is much more of a national epic, and of course Homer couldn't be as nationalistic since Greece was not a nation in the same sense that Rome was. Also, Virgil is writing centuries after Homer and the events depicted in the 'Aeneid'. A lot of the story foreshadows the future of Rome and Virgil is writing about Rome's (mythical) history only to put his present day Rome in context. For example, he explains why there was such a national enmity between the Rome and the Carthage, why Latin came to be spoken in Rome, and he alludes to the origin of several famous Roman gens, including the 'Julius'. Any student of the classics will appreciate the mythological world created here by Virgil.
The translation by Fitzgerald is very good. The problem of translating poetry is twofold: stick to a literal translation, and you loose the verse; try to keep the verse and you probably will have a hard time staying true to the text. Fitzgerald's translation is in verse, and it is very lucid and flowing, not at all difficult to read. He may at times take some artistic license from time to time for the sake of preserving the verse, but I have the feeling he has stayed very close to the Latin text, and there is something to be said for reading the book as Virgil intended it - in verse.
Lastly, I recommend this particular edition (Everyman's Library, ISBN 0679413359) because of the introduction (Philip Hardie), the Post Script (Fitzgerald) and the extensive notes (Fitzgerald) on each chapter, explaining much that the casual reader would otherwise miss in reading such an historically loaded book. There is also a index of the people and places mentioned in the book, which is absolutely essential given the various people and events Virgil alludes to.
By the way, Fitzgerald has also translated the 'Illiad' and "Oddessy', and I would recommend those translations as well. Indeed, it would be best if you were to read: 'Illiad' and "Oddessy' by Homer, 'War at Troy' by Quintus of Smyrna, 'Annals' by Tacitus, and some of the relevant lives from Plutarch. Although this is certainly not required to enjoy the 'Aeneid', it would help the reader get more out of the book.
It is said that Virgil wrote this poem at least partially in hopes of fostering the national sentiment of the Romans, of making them proud of their heritage, and of uniting them in a common ancestry. His motives are very clear--there are a number of references to the future glory of Rome, and various visions of the leaders and generals who would bring Rome her greatest glory. Interestingly, this poem was never completed, and Virgil, on his deathbed, asked that it be destroyed. It was preserved, however, by Augustus, and so we have it in its mostly finished form today.
This translation by Fitzgerald is excellent. Like his translations of Homer, Fitzgerald's Aeneid flows very smoothly, and stays true to the feel of the original. Also, there is a postscript in the back detailing both the history of the times, and various events in Virgil's life. This postscript is very helpful in understanding the world in which the poet lived.
There is also a glossary of names in the back, very useful for keeping all the people, places, and deity straight. The Everyman's binding is a great way to go at an affordable price. All in all, this version of The Aenied is very satisfying. I highly recommend it.
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If the reader can not gag on the continual self-promotion of Keller, smeared throughout the booklet, it remains a very good choice for devotional reading.
A better title may have been "Shepherd exalts himself while commenting on Psalm 23".
Spend the [money], it's still worth it.
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Foremost, in the steps for acquisition of knowledge, was the advice given for taking up the study of various languages, especially Latin. The book makes for compulsive reading and must adorn every library.
Each man is born with all the passions, but in each there is a governing passion which runs stronger and deeper than the rest. Seek out each man's governing passion, and when you have discovered it, remember never to trust him where that passion is concerned. Play upon it to your own advantage if you wish.
The text is full of wisdom such as this. I'm delighted that Amazon can find it for me.
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I picked up this book at a flea market and began reading. I learned more and gained more insight into the nature of Nature's territorial inhabitants than all my previous reading. Through carefully observed case studies of animals, conservative conclusions are drawn. Light on theory, and heavy on examples of particular territorial behaviours of our fellow creatures, `The Territorial Imperative' is must read for any person interested in the way of Nature and ourselves.