The sixth revision of Latin for Americans, First Book is based on time-tested principles upon which Professor B. L. Ullman originally based this highly successful series. From the very start, the student is presented with reading connected Latin passages with comprehension of the Latin as Latin. The vocabulary is methodically chosen for the frequency of its occurrence in Latin literature and in English derivatives. The simple and informal presentation of the grammar is based on a similarity practical standard of usage. The reading lessons provide a solid cultural and moral basis for the student, and afford him or her many comparisons between ancient and modern life. Much attention has been given to selecting illustrations which are relevant, interesting, and visually attractive, accompanied by informative captions.

The textbook is divided into units consisting of 4-7 lessons and additional cultural information Glimpses of Roman Life. Each unit ends with a review containing a Latin text, grammatical summaries, vocabulary, and unit practice and exercises, as well as English word studies. Many of the lessons refer to mythology directly, through a Latin text and/or illustrations, or indirectly, through information on the Roman cultural and linguistic heritage. Lesson XVI of unit III features a text about Troy; unit V Famous Stories includes Lessons XXII Ceres et Proserpina, XXV Aeneas, XXVI Poeta Clarus about Virgil, XXVII In Africa Aeneas Auxilium Accipit. Unit VI Stories of Rome comprises Lessons XXIX Aeneas et Dido, XXX Aeneas ad Inferos, XXXIII Aeneas et Turnus, XXXIV Niobe. Unit VIII Travel and Adventure includes the text Ulixes in Lesson XLV and Circe in Lesson XLIV. Unit IX Myth and History pursues the myth of Odysseus in Lesson XLV Sirenes et Phaeacia, XLVI Penelope and XLVII Finis Laborum about the slaying of the suitors as well as Lesson XLVII presenting the story of Remus and Romulus. The review section of the Unit introduces the text Dei about Roman gods and their prerogatives. Unit X titled Gods and History includes texts L Saturnus et Iuppiter, LII Midas about the golden touch and a text about the lesser gods Alii Dei in the review section. The review of Unit XI provides the text Virgines Vestales. Unit XII Greek Myths and Roman History describes the myth of the Ages of Man Quattuor Aetates in Lesson LX, Baucis et Philemon in Lesson LXI and Daedalus et Icarus in Lesson LXII.