Long Live Latin

The Pleasures of a Useless Language

By: Nicola Gardini, Todd Portnowitz - translator

Narrated by: Todd Portnowitz

"It's a genuine pleasure to hear spoken Latin--lots of it, and by many of the great classical authors, including Cicero, Ovid, and Virgil--and to follow the story of Gardini's lifelong infatuation with a language that is nowhere and everywhere in our modern lives... This is an audiobook to appreciate on many levels, most of all, to hear the sound of Latin again, so familiar and so essential to the ear." — AudioFile Magazine

A lively exploration of the joys of a not-so-dead language

From the acclaimed novelist and Oxford professor Nicola Gardini, a personal and passionate look at the Latin language: its history, its authors, its essential role in education, and its enduring impact on modern life—whether we call it “dead” or not.

What use is Latin? It’s a question we’re often asked by those who see the language of Cicero as no more than a cumbersome heap of ruins, something to remove from the curriculum. In this sustained meditation, Gardini gives us his sincere and brilliant reply: Latin is, quite simply, the means of expression that made us—and continues to make us—who we are. In Latin, the rigorous and inventive thinker Lucretius examined the nature of our world; the poet Propertius told of love and emotion in a dizzying variety of registers; Caesar affirmed man’s capacity to shape reality through reason; Virgil composed the Aeneid, without which we’d see all of Western history in a different light.

In Long Live Latin, Gardini shares his deep love for the language—enriched by his tireless intellectual curiosity—and warmly encourages us to engage with a civilization that has never ceased to exist, because it’s here with us now, whether we know it or not. Thanks to his careful guidance, even without a single lick of Latin grammar readers can discover how this language is still capable of restoring our sense of identity, with a power that only useless things can miraculously express.

Thank you for the Inspiration

After this book I can’t wait to work rigorously on my beginning Latin course - and beyond- so that can translate the poets for myself. Thank you.

Latin Is Eternal

A personal overview of the study of Latin, and what it has done for Nicola Gardini in his life and career.

Great narration by Todd Portnowitz.

Almost sensuous experience

Sweet and poetic in best possible way. A dose of love for the language itself and authors who wrote in it.

Excellent in all ways--no words.

Read this book if you live on this planet. Justice for the backbone of western civilization and the essence of all literary greatness.

Needed push towards Latin

The only thing I have to say is this was a needed listen- I will probably listen to this again and again. If you’re a young man and struggling with life and responsibilities listen to this book it will on your journey of bettering yourself.