*Et Cetera: A Guide to Memorable Latin Phrases* by Maia Lee-Chin is a beautifully crafted homage to the enduring legacy of the Latin language, offering readers a deep dive into the timeless phrases that continue to shape our world. Featured in NPR's “BOOK WE LOVE” for Summer 2024, this volume stands out not only for its scholarly insights but also for its exquisite visual presentation.

Maia Lee-Chin, a classicist with a passion for Latin, brings a fresh and engaging perspective to this collection of memorable Latin phrases. From the well-known “carpe diem” to the more esoteric “alea iacta est,” Lee-Chin explores the historical and cultural significance behind these expressions, shedding light on their origins and evolution. Her explanations are both accessible and thought-provoking, making this book an enriching experience for both newcomers and seasoned scholars of Latin.

The book's illustrations, created by the talented Marta Bertello, add a haunting and evocative dimension to the text. Bertello’s artwork enhances the reader's connection to the ancient world, with each illustration capturing the essence of the Latin phrases and their historical contexts. The fusion of Lee-Chin’s scholarly insights and Bertello’s visual artistry makes *Et Cetera* a truly immersive reading experience.

The range of topics covered in the book is impressive, spanning love, death, nature, politics, and more. Each phrase is contextualized with historical anecdotes and reflections on its relevance in modern times. This approach not only provides a deeper understanding of the phrases themselves but also offers a broader perspective on how Latin continues to influence contemporary thought and expression.

*Et Cetera* is more than just a reference guide; it is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage embedded in the Latin language. The book's design is both elegant and user-friendly, making it a perfect addition to any bookshelf. Whether you are a language enthusiast, a history buff, or someone who simply appreciates beautiful book design, *Et Cetera* is a compelling and visually stunning work that invites readers to explore the timeless wisdom of Latin.

In conclusion, Maia Lee-Chin's *Et Cetera* is a masterful blend of scholarly insight and artistic expression. It offers a captivating exploration of Latin phrases that have endured through the ages, presented in a format that is both informative and visually striking. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the profound impact of Latin on our language and culture.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Author Maia Lee-Chin collaborates with illustrator Marta Bertello to bring forth Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases. This book is exactly as advertised. Lee-Chin provides historical context where Bertello provides artistic representation for Latin phrases that have survived to use in modernity. The book is sectioned by the context of the phrases (Literature, Love/Friendship/Family, Mythology, Military/Power, and Culture/Philosophy).

Bertello's art is beautiful with a modern take and employment of color on top of a classical style. Each illustration was lovely and added visual interest to a work that might otherwise have been a bit dry.

Lee-Chin's love for antiquity shines through I'm her contextualization of the various chosen phrases. While there were some phrases that I know have Latin basis that were excluded from this collection, I was happy to see that Lee-Chin chose a wide variety of phrases to include both well known and lesser known selections. The choice to limit each explanation to a single page was smart and kept the momentum of the book moving forward.

Overall, this book was a lot of fun and had an extensive bibliography included for those who feel driven to learn more. I look forward to future works from both Lee-Chin and Bertello.

5/5 stars

Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to Andrews McMeel Publishing, Maia Lee Chin and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

An instant hit. From the very first page Lee Chin's commitment to providing an intriguing and approachable guide to some lesser known Latin phrases, and the greater societal context that birthed them, is evident. The writing is readable, the phrases well-curated, the illustrations expertly crafted and the subject matter intentional, making it easier to readers of all stages, to dive in and share in the author's appreciation for Latin. Lee Chin's ability to draw readers closer to the Romans, rather than creating a sense of distance or superiority, is truly remarkable.

I would recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in Latin literature and Roman culture or history. Best taken in small portions so as to really savour the craftsmanship, the author's passion borders on infectious and beyond the opportunity to learn a little, I recommend this to anyone looking to feel a sense of interconnectedness with humanity at large. This truly was an excellent book.

This book is a delight. It is a great investment or gift for any lover of language or Roman history. The book is broken into small, easily comprehensible snippets that provide vivid histories behind numerous Latin phrases. I plan to buy a hard copy to have on hand. I must say though, I am not a huge fan of the artwork.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This was a great quick read that gave a lot of insight into ancient Rome. I enjoyed the simple and easy to read sections on each phrase, even someone who didn't know much about Rome would be able to understand. The illustrations were also very well done.

"We Die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives." - Toni Morrison

This quote appears before the book begins and I feel captures what the author, Maia Lee-Chin, is trying to accomplish well. The book is divided into five sections and can be read in any order. Literature, Love Friendship and Family, Mythology, Military and Power, and Culture and Philosophy. It's an interesting history book, but will make for a coffee table book as well.

Et Cetera was a fun book to read. I've made a note to my family that I want "ACTA EST FABULA, PLAUDITE" (Clap, the story is over) put on my gravestone. I've already had the opportunity to throw some of the facts I've learned from reading this into conversation. The graphics were visually interesting and bold with their minimal colors. They all complimented their phrases well. I enjoyed getting the history and context and not just the root of the words. The book felt informed and was cited well.

I recommend it for anyone with an interest in etymology and as a nice gift for people who love ancient history.

(Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and especially the author for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Et Cetera)

Probably the first of its kind or certainly one of the first, this book is an illustrated guide to philosophical Latin phrases.
Some of my favourite ones are in there, and most of the rest were new to me, which made this read more appealing.
Illustrating these phrases must be a difficult task, but they are very well done.

An informative book that any reader can gain something new from. Each passage briefly discusses a piece of Roman history surrounding a, sometimes common sometimes niche, Latin phrase. I'd recommend reading a few passages at a time, rather than the entire book in one go.

My favorite passages include: Serves Animae Dimidium Meae, Neque Semper Arcum Tendit Apollo, Imperium Sine Fine, Carpe Diem, Nemo Saltat Sobrius

"Violent begets violent, and brutality creates brutalists; more men willing to conque, deface, and burn."

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

An enjoyable read. The familiar latin phrases with translation and insights to their origins. I enjoyed this read and learnt some things. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

An accessible and engaging compendium! The introduction is so helpful for providing succinct context for the author and the work. It also calls out the important choices to include quotes from underrepresented groups in Classics. The continuous narrative structure of the phrases, broken into topical sections, made what could have been stifled subject matter easy to read through. The illustrations are beautiful, the translations and summaries are informative but bite sized. This is a great book for every and anyone from young people through to trained classicists. A wonderful work!

Et Cetera is an insightful dive into the Latin language. I appreciated how Chin made the rich history and enduring impact of Latin both accessible and engaging.

I enjoyed this book but it wasn't what I expected it to be. I went in thinking it would be an exploration of mostly latin phrases that we still use today (memento mori, carpe diem, et cetera) but while these were covered, it was mostly an exploration of phrases that are completely out of use. In many cases I wasn't sure if they even were in use beyond the singular time they were said.

This book does a fantastic job at bringing to life ancient characters from Ancient Rome and making them feel human and relatable to today. She shows how a phrase uttered in these ancient days has evolved to become something that is applicable to us in the modern age.

The book itself is absolutely gorgeous, with beautiful detailed illustrations on every single page.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This illustrated guide to Latin phrases is creative and unique. With lovely illustrations accompanying each phrase, this also details sources for the phrase and a brief explanation of each for a unique learning experience.

I'd like to thank Andrews McMeel Publishing, Maia Lee-Chin, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book contains Latin phrases, my favorites being:

[⟡ Faciam Ut Mei Memineris
(I will force you to remember me)
⟡ Omnia Vincit Amor
(Love Conquers All)
⟡ Serves Animae Dimidium Meae
(May you protect half of my soul)
⟡ Odi Et Amo
(I hate, and I love)
⟡ Alea Iacta Est
(The die has been cast)
⟡ Oderint Dum Metuant
(Let them hate as long as they fear)
⟡ Sol Omnibus Lucet
(The sun shines for everyone)
⟡ Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
(Either I'll find a way, or I'll make one) (hide spoiler)]

The author not only states the meanings, but does a deep dive into the lore and origin of said phrases, giving proper attributions on top of including stunning illustrations!

I look forward to buying a copy once published!

A brief look at some interesting Latin phrases.

Each phrase has an English translation, an attribution, and a short explanation of how it was used. I really appreciated Lee-Chin not filling the book with well known selections; although she does include phrases that are still commonly used in either Latin or English translation (carpe diem, swan song), she introduces the reader to a wide variety of more obscure phrases.

Although the text is interesting, Marta Bertello's illustrations are the true draw here. Each entry is accompanied by a black, white, and red drawing that perfectly illustrates the phrase.

Received via NetGalley.

Great for those interested in learning about the Latin speaking world, and modern references to latin phrases and literature. The art is also very cool, and I like overall design/format.

As a fan of etymology, I always like learning more about Latin roots and origins of phrases. Lee-Chin walks the perfect balance of brevity and depth with each entry... I walked away from almost every page feeling like I had learned something new. Bertello's artwork is stunningly simple, as well, pairing exquisitely with the text.

This one's for lovers of language, mythology, and ancient Roman history.

Et Cetera chronicles several dozen Latin phrases, organized by theme, and explains the history or meaning behind each. Some—swan song (cygnea cantio), dulce et decorum est, memento mori, carpe diem—are familiar. Many others are new to me. All are accompanied by beautiful illustrations, in greyscale with crimson accents.

One thing I appreciated was the author's consideration for voices and histories that may not be part of our canonical education about Rome. Some entries explore the role of women and same-sex attraction in Roman history and literature, and a few phrases are sourced from the poet Sulpicia, one of the only female ancient Roman poets whose works have survived. Maia Lee-Chin is clearly an avid lover of all things Latin and ancient Rome, and that comes through on every page.

Overall, a short but fun and educational read about Latin phrases and Ancient Rome.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is set to be published August 27, 2024.

Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases is a lovely collection of illustrations paired with a latin phrase and its explanation. Some are common phrases that you've surely heard (and used!) like carpe diem and fortune favors the brave. But there were also a lot of phrases that I had never heard before and got to learn where they came from/what they mean.

The illustrations by Marta Bertello are beautiful but I definitely don't think the iPad does them justice. I can't wait to see how much more stunning they look in print.

Maia Lee-Chin, the author, does a great job of explaining these latin phrases in way that felt like the perfect balance between giving historical context for the use of the phrase and expecting the reader to have some understanding of Greek and Roman history. I especially loved reading her introduction and how she came to be in a position to write this book. I would have loved hearing even more about her journey to become a classicist. She talks about in her introduction about being a woman of color and a second-generation American and how that impacts the way she interacts with ancient history. I would love to know more about that and I can't wait to see what she does next!

Et Cetera by Maia Lee-Chin is an enchanting, clever and informative book about a topic seldom encountered, that of the origin of Latin phrases. Latin may be a "dead" language but the descriptions are livey! Marta Bertello's rich illustrations add wonderful flair.

The five sections told in a continuous narrative include Literature; Love, Friendship, and Family; Mythology; Military and Power; and Culture and Philosophy. Each phrase, some common, others not, includes the attribution, meaning and origin along with historical context. Authors include the likes of Horace, Ovid, Manilius, Plautus, Erasmus and Vergil. Marta Bertello's rich illustrations add wonderful flair.

Some of my favourites phrase stories are "Clap, the story is over", "I will force you to remember me", "I am holding you, Africa", "Fortune favors the brave" and "Shoemaker, not beyond the shoe". I have spent a lot of time in Italy and other countries under Roman rule and enjoy discovering ancient inscriptions on ruins, tombs, arches, buildings, columns, et cetera.

This small but mighty book should appeal to those who are intrigued by the Classics, language and/or history. This is more than a fun read...it gives the satisfaction of discovering hidden treasure!

My sincere thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this enthralling book.