This is essentially a text book.

The level of writing makes it appear that this book is intended for the instruction of adolescents, and considering the rather recent date of publication they would have to be remarkably atypically "innocent" for this day and age. The questions intended to stimulate discussion are embarrassingly simpleminded in many cases. It is difficult to imagine that this book wouldn't be laughed out of the classroom by most of today's students.

An appendix in the back of the book contain an acceptable translation of the Latin lyrics by someone other than the author. However, the body of the book contains the author's renderings of the Latin poems as well as her comments. What she has done to the poems is a travesty - even as "free" renderings they go way beyond what is acceptable in giving an unfamiliar audience an understanding of the originals.

This has almost nothing to recommend it - there are many that are better.

The first Carmina Burana is an excellent book. It have been written in the 1200 century. It talk about all the things that happen in the life of an human. At first, the carmina burana was a book of poems but Carl Orff (1895 - 1982)put some music to these fabulous texts. The text of Carl Orff talk about the spring,alcoolism, gaming and love. If you read this book, be sure to listen the music created by Carl Orff.

Sebesta's Cantiones Profanae is excellent as BOTH a textbook and an analysis of this beautiful medieval poetry. Sebesta's translations make for good reading, and the original text with glossaries on the opposing page make this a textbook conducive to both learning and reading for pleasure. We used this book in my university Latin class, and it was both challenging and insightful. It gives a glimpse into medieval European life not often shown in most history classes. I heartily recommend this book.