Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

I love how the goal of this book is to demystify Latin while also focusing on the "extra" Latin phrases we don't hear too often. Yes, there are entries for carpe diem and memento mori but they are there to demonstrate different types of Roman thought.

Each entry has the phrase, meaning, attribution, origin, historical background, and illustration.

I really enjoyed this book and hope those who are interested in Latin find it useful.

I studied Latin in high school but had forgotten most of it in the ensuing decades. Maia Lee-Chin's "Et Cetera" changed that! This beautifully illustrated book brings a fresh perspective to familiar phrases like "carpe diem." It introduces the fascinating stories behind sayings I'd never heard of. Lee-Chin's writing is clear and engaging, making even the most obscure Latin feel relatable and alive. Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about language, this book is a delightful and surprising journey through Ancient Rome. Thanks to Maia Lee-Chin, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. #EtCetera #NetGalley.

Loved how informative this was! The information provided was concise yet in depth. I always loved learning and mythology has always interested me. The illustrations are wonderful and well detailed.

I had the great fortune to read an early copy of this, and I'm so glad I did. You might think a reference book of Latin phrases could not possibly make you cry. You would be wrong. Maia’s extraordinary gift for storytelling breathes life into a language often considered dead and brings a fresh, funny, and poignant perspective to everyday sayings such as carpe diem (seize the day) and omnia vincit amor (love conquers all). Each lovingly illustrated phrase becomes a time-traveling portal to a Rome we don’t often see—not only the Rome of Julius Caesar and Augustus, but also of the Carthaginian Queen Dido, the love-struck poetess Sulpicia, and the multitudes of enslaved people fighting for freedom, whose names were lost to oppression and time but whose strength reverberates and inspires to this day.

The best part of this book is that it is for everyone. The illustrations are gorgeous, the writing is beautiful and clear, and it requires no prior knowledge. While I have an interest in the ancient world (Greece in particular), I came into this knowing nearly nothing about Latin or Roman life, and I learned so much. In short, carpe diem, and read this book!!!

This was such a fun, well-constructed little book perfect for anyone interested in the classics, in Greek/ Roman history, or just the mysteries of a dead language that still perseveres on our tongues even today. From more well-known phrases like ‘carpe diem’ and ‘memento mori’ to ones never head before but equally if not more fascinating, the collection of phrases is roughly split into sections, each demarcating certain facets, and I enjoyed that organization.

My favorites of the bunch were those in the love category, wherein the most succinct of phrases were used to express so much love. And I also like the idea that of the little that subsists through the ravages of time, so much of it are declarations of love and friendship. Each entry comes with its meaning and attribution, and also a little bit of history to go along with it, and I think the author did well on the time and length allocated to each verse - giving us just enough. It shows us the origins of so many terms of endearment we throw around these days - soulmate, soul sister, and so on - and in a way, the author reminds us of the weight of our words, how it has travelled through centuries to arrive here and now, and help us express what is inside. I found it incredibly compelling.

What I enjoyed about the collection was that it was no simple linguistic catalogue, but provided both the context and history, and also just the slightest bit of personal commentary too. In that way I think Lee-Chin checks in on us intermittently, either passing some ironic comment with the hindsight we have that the Romans could obviously not, or adding some mild philosophy into the mix. I think that helped the text feel not too academic, especially in the military sections, where wars and their victors were abound.

Something else I love about historic narratives in general is the perspective each and every one can have, in that the way we look back on things will always have some shifts, no matter what. Thus, the author approaching this from her unique perspective also comments on the image of classicism that most of us hold - that of a white, middle-aged man - who does dominate the industry. Thus she tries to assert the presence of the less-represented, the minorities when giving her accounts and this comment on the gatekeeping prevalent in mainstream classicist circles was a nice addition.

Another addition that spruced up this book was definitely the illustrations. Not only were they beautifully done, but they were interpretive in a way, and I liked trying to ascertain what the phrase could be before moving on to it, which was a fun little exercise. I think the line drawings with the recurrent elements of red throughout was a great addition to Lee-Chin's prose.

Moreover, for all my expertise on Greek and Roman history, the female voices from these times were completely unbeknownst to me, and I loved both the inclusion and the commentary on that. The structure of society then, and how women could fall into certain tropes and even just the act of picking up a pen (or the classical equivalent) is an act of defiance, an act of stepping out of the box and I think the author articulated the sentiment in a subtle yet loving way.

All in all, I think this is quite a strong collection, both for anyone new to the subject as well as those a little more well-versed. We frequently meet familiar figures - Caesar, Horace, Vergil, and so on - but we are shown their histories through a new lens, that is through their words. I think underlying so much of the explanation throughout we inevitably see the power of language - how it was used then to imprison, enslave, maintain power and social statures, but also to love, express care and worry, wish one well, immortalize one’s memory, and so on.
Such a well-constructed debut from someone you can tell has great love and reverence for their subject, I highly recommend this to all.

Et Cetera is the perfect book to pick up now and then, read a chapter or two and be entertained while simultaneously learning something new. I enjoyed learning more about Ancient Rome and its philosophy, literary traditions, as well as way of life. The selection of phrases to explore was broad and ranged from societal analysis to uncovering petty jabs and explaining ancient jokes. The illustrations are breathtakingly beautiful. The chapters concerning the phrases are always kept on one page which on the one hand was convenient and made for a quick and interesting read. On the other hand, I would have loved to dive even deeper into the context of certain phrases. And the book certainly would have allowed that since it is just shy of 130 pages - and the last 15 or so include a bibliography and an index.
Maybe there is a second book possible in the future?
I'd recommend this book to everyone interested in the ways of ancient Rome - be it literature, philosophy, love, war or society.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases by Maia Lee-Chin, with illustrations by Marta Bertello, is a captivating journey through the timeless elegance of Latin expressions. This hardcover treasure, published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, spans 256 pages of rich content that is both educational and visually stunning.

Lee-Chin, a classicist and educator, delves into the origins and meanings of various Latin phrases that continue to resonate in our modern world. From the well-known “carpe diem” to the less familiar “alea iacta est,” the author provides readers with direct translations, pronunciations, attributions, and fascinating historical contexts. Each phrase is accompanied by a full-page illustration from Bertello, whose artistry adds a hauntingly beautiful dimension to the ancient words.

This book is a conversation starter and a bridge connecting the ancient to the contemporary.

Lee-Chin’s background in classical languages and education at Holy Cross, combined with her passion for engaging communities with classical reception, shines through in her writing. Her approach makes Latin accessible and relevant, proving that the language, though no longer spoken, still has much to teach us about life, love, nature, politics, and more.

Bertello’s illustrations are not mere decorations but narratives in their own right, capturing the essence of each phrase in a way that words alone cannot. Her work, influenced by medieval iconography and magic realism, transports readers to a world where the wisdom of the ancients is visualized and felt.

Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases is a must-have for anyone interested in the classics, language, or art. It’s a book that can be enjoyed over and over, each visit uncovering new layers of meaning and beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned Latin scholar or a curious novice, this guide will enrich your understanding and appreciation of a language that has shaped our own.

My only criticism of this magical book is that I wish the author had decided to add a pronunciation guide. I know Latin is considered a "dead" language, but books like this can provide resuscitation.

I loved this! The formatting worked really well and I enjoyed that the phrases weren't alphabetical but instead in an order that made sense for the text. I enjoyed what seeing the phrase and the translated phrase in an easy to read format. I thought all of the explanations and histories were concise and full of information that didn't feel overwhelming. There was plenty of information to help lead me into learning more about a topic if I was particularly interested. The illustrations were an added bonuses and added a lot of personality and dimension to the book. I can't wait to see this in person and see the rich colors.
*I would but this for myself, any body who likes classical text, and it would make a stunning reference or coffee table book.

I was disappointed that there not very many phrases I was familiar with, but that didn't make this book less enjoyable. I always try to talk people into taking Latin early in their language studies, because it gives such a great background on language parts, like declensions and conjugations.
But honestly, Latin is just fun. When you study Latin, you get involved in war and love and civilization and architecture. It's so rich, and this book gives great examples of that. And the illustrations are fantastic -- it felt right to use this kind of artwork to illustrate a book about a language that isn't spoken anymore.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Evenings decoding Latin phrases from Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases , determining which of the fifty offerings considered by the author and illustrator have popped up most in my life, are favorites and are new-to-me counted as time well-spent and thoroughly enjoyed!

At a certain point in life, with languages as my major, Latin courses were taken and brought the echoes of ages past to my ears and thoughts. . .sometimes awkwardly with a weird new mouthfeel, but often ringing loud with an ancient truth that felt very familiar. Those days came back to me while reading this book with its phrases well-polished by sages, politicians, and celebrities of whole eras risen, spent and rolled into the next. Amazing that we are still, in this current era using them yet; our descendants will carry the baton forward, and may have copies of this little book in their libraries of ancient times. . . .

The author provides a past accessible through her knowledge and explanations of who, what, where and why on each of the fifty phrases she presents; the illustrator takes the whole of that, and in stark black, white and a splash of red accentuates The Point deftly - holding out hope for a reader properly decoding her message. It was puzzley, codey, and entertaining to take time with this arty book.

?My favorites?
Fortes Fortuna Iuvat (Fortune favors the brave) The irony was that this was said at the front of a mission that failed. . .it was in the retelling of that failure happened that the bravery was memorialized.

Memento Mori (Remember you Will die) Each day is a gift and is not to be wasted, nor discounted.

Auribus Teneo Lupum (I am holding a wolf by the ears) You have a big, not easy to resolve problem!

Sutor, Ne Supra Crepidam (Shoemaker, not beyond the shoe) Karl Marx made this one famous by arguing against it. . . .

Also to note, this is something I'm making sure my grandkids see. . .to trigger their Latin interest early. It can be read in sections and bits, to spread the ponderables out for whoever is lucky enough to find a copy in their hands or at their coffee table.

*A sincere thank you to Maia Lee-Chin, Marta Bertello, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #EtCetera #NetGalley

As someone with at least a passing interest in and knowledge of the classics, I very much enjoyed this. While my existing knowledge lays more in the Greek tradition than the Roman, she does a fantastic job of making Latin, both accessible, and possibly surprising the reader with instances they may already know. Structurally, this is not a phrase book dictionary. The sayings are grouped by subject, allowing for brief cultural lessons facilitated by a number of phrases relating thematically to one another. By mixing in known and still used Latin phrases with more obscure ones, the information feels relevant rather than remote, and Latin very much does not feel like a dead language.

It also includes beautiful tri-tone illustrations encapsulating each phrase.

I will say that it might have been interesting to see more examples still in use today, but maybe that’s a project for another book.

Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases is a delightfully fascinating, 5 star read!

Well paced and flowing seamlessly through each section, Maia Lee-Chin explores fifty enduring Latin Phrases, delving into not only their meaning, but also their origin. Covering topics including love, mythology, power, and philosophy, this collection introduces the reader to a range of individuals, from salves all the way up to Rome's elite. While many phrases may initially be unfamiliar, there are also those that remain in use even today, and together they give a glimpse into the lives and minds of individuals long past.

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the book's beautiful artwork, from it's cover to the images weaved throughout. Paired with each entry are Marta Bertello's gorgeous illustrations, carefully accented with notes of red, these drawings serve to give additional depth and detail to the phrases they represent.

Amazing collection of Latin phrases or expressions with deeper explanation and their origins. Accompanied by absolutely gorgeous illustrations which bring out beautiful Roman art style.
Since I was a kid I loved these kind of books, that give us a dive into history and explain common uses of certain things.
This was quite beautiful and educational.

Thank you to:
The author Maia Lee-Chin,
Illustrator Marta Bertello,
Publisher and NetGalley!

#EtCetera #NetGalley

This is a fantastic read! I got through this so quickly - it was hard to put down. The illustrations are simple, yet wonderfully complex and appropriate. The color scheme is classy, and the writing is incredibly clear and uncomplicated. This would make for an interesting conversation starter or an elegant coffee table book to flip through with guests.

I’ve learned quite a bit reading this despite the very brief explanations for each phrase. The author gives you just enough to keep you interested, but not enough to make you anywhere close to an expert. It’s perfect for the average reader interested in learning about some common (and not so common) phrases.

Great work!

Latin like you’ve never seen it explored before!

Let’s face it, most of us aren’t going to study the whole Latin language, but we will certainly be using many of the language’s phrases! After reading this, not only do I have a newfound appreciation for common sayings I use in my everyday, I’m now aware of others I hadn’t.

This is the perfect book for casual readers, Latin lovers, and everyone in between!

ET CETERA: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases by Maia Lee-Chin and Marta Bertello offers more than its slight size and subtitle would imply. As a former Latin teacher, I’ve read and compiled many such lists of Latin phrases, for various purposes, ranging from grammar illlustrations to proof of Latin’s contemporary relevance to examples of the quirky Roman mind.

The authors go far beyond, offering substantive analyses in many categories, literature, social relations, mythology, warfare, culture. Sometimes it seems they look for a phrase as a way of broaching a topic, rather than the other way around. A hysteron proteron, cart leading the horse, so to speak. The commentary offered, amounting to a synthesized global look at a fascinating period of time, justifies these editorial leaps.

The book contains a valuable index, an adequate bibliography, and galvanizing art work by Bertello. There is a timeline graphic for the authors. I would prefer that information to have been included in the individual entries, as another heading.

Et Cetera; An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases by Maia Lee-Chin is an informative and concise book that serves as both an engaging reference volume and a stunning coffee table book. The artwork within this book is stunning, really detailed and evokes what the Latin phrases and the descriptions are stating, it was my favourite part of the book.

The book looked at different types of phrases thematically and each one tacked addressed its meaning (in a literal sense, what it translates to) who it is attracted to (if possible or known) and its time of origin. After that, it looks at the overall deeper meaning of the phrase, delving into historical context too. It was written in an easy to understand manner, straight to the point and not dull. This is not a long volume that drones on and as such it was a quick read. It is very evidently well researched, as evident by its extensive bibliography. The passion of the author and illustrator alike jump off the pages of this volume.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Andrew McMeel Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was engaging and captivating and will make a great addition to the bookshelves and/or coffee tables of historians and linguists alike.

What a cute quick read. Perfect for language lovers and Greek or Roman mythology readers alike!

Paired with beautiful illustrations, this book has all the Latin phrases we hear in academia, or have seen on tattoos out in the wild. I loved learning the history behind them all. I can’t wait to place this book on my coffee table.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC.

An absolutely gorgeous and immersive book, that made me want to continue my investigations in ancient classics. And the illustrations! Marta Bertello's work is so evocative and beautiful and also disturbing in some cases - each piece accompanied each saying/phrase perfectly. I loved reading this, and found everything fascinating to learn about. Maia Lee-Chin writes in a somewhat sparse way that communicates meaning so effectively and you can really feel her love for classic literature.

Just a joyful reading experience. I think I'd like to own a copy of this, as it feels like something to turn back to time and again.

This book was so much more than I initially assumed it’d be!
I love the bit of backstory the author gave; I have heard Latin very scarcely in my life, normally in media rather than real life.
I enjoyed the stories about the quotes and where they originated/what made them popular and who said it. There’s always Latin phrases quoted over and over, but they aren’t usually credited.
The illustrations were very good as well, I loved having each one along with the quotes!
As a romantic, my favorite was definitely “Omnia Vincit Amor”/Love Conquers All!