I'm embarking on a trial of this plan in my city (Southeast USA). Using probably 95% of your format. Will report on my stack as things progress. Thank you immensely for the inspiration.
I prefer to select translations that are commonly described as "the best available" -- for the Epics and Greek Drama, Lattimore. For the Latins, I like what Quintus Curtius is doing for Sallust and Cicero. Any other Latin work, I usually go for Oxford translations (for personal readings I'll pick OLD oxford translations, for the group, the new volumes look nice and are high quality). NEVER Penguin classics.
For bringing stuff in to supplement discussion, I really depends on what message I am trying to convey...usually stuff based on readings that I've done recently or very influential poetry...I do like to try to tie the current work to other authors from the past.
I have a formal dining room for an indoor space, it is well-lit, not overly bright, no background noise from kitchen or people walking through. I make sure this room has nothing distracting, no clutter, etc. One month we did it in my garage gym...was interesting surrounded by all of the iron.
Dear Cimmerian,
I'm embarking on a trial of this plan in my city (Southeast USA). Using probably 95% of your format. Will report on my stack as things progress. Thank you immensely for the inspiration.
Respectfully,
Troy Bell
feel free to reach out on twitter if you have one, or here if you do not. best of luck!
I was thinking of making a twatter. I have lurked for long-enough. A few getting-off-the-ground questions:
- How did you choose which edition / translation you wanted for each book?
- How would you pick which excerpts to bring in to aid discussion i.e. Author's contemporaries, etc?
- We're getting to the cooler months. When you were indoors what kinds of places worked best?
I prefer to select translations that are commonly described as "the best available" -- for the Epics and Greek Drama, Lattimore. For the Latins, I like what Quintus Curtius is doing for Sallust and Cicero. Any other Latin work, I usually go for Oxford translations (for personal readings I'll pick OLD oxford translations, for the group, the new volumes look nice and are high quality). NEVER Penguin classics.
For bringing stuff in to supplement discussion, I really depends on what message I am trying to convey...usually stuff based on readings that I've done recently or very influential poetry...I do like to try to tie the current work to other authors from the past.
I have a formal dining room for an indoor space, it is well-lit, not overly bright, no background noise from kitchen or people walking through. I make sure this room has nothing distracting, no clutter, etc. One month we did it in my garage gym...was interesting surrounded by all of the iron.
Where at in the southeast? I'm in the southeast as well and interested in joining a group like this
At the end of the year, I’ll be finished my history degree so I’ll add this to my responsibilities. Incredibly noble yet so small.
Here in Australia for your information- we are global!