This selection charts the expansion of Latin in the classical world, its renewed importance in the Middle Ages, and its survival into modern times. The book shows its central role in European history and culture and, by judicious quotation of phrases and texts, describes how spoken and written Latin changed and evolved in different places. The book ends with a summary of Latin grammar and lists of Latin words and phrases still in common use. By Tore Janson. Oxford University Press. 305 pages.