Saint Augustine: Confessions
Augustine of Hippo / Translated by Gary Wills
ISBN-10: 0143105701
Amazingly relevant considering its age ****
First of all, full credit must be given to Gary Wells for this wonderful translation from the original Latin to English. This really is an amazing book, from the point of view that the things Augustine writes about are the very things we still experience in the 21st Century. And yet, it was written more than 1500 years ago (circa 400 AD). Although this is one book, it's actually made up of thirteen books. Ultimately, the text details Augustine's conversion from a sinful life to Christianity, covering many topics along the way such as the futility of man-created knowledge - especially rhetoric - and his search for the meaning of time. I think it's important to state that this text was written during a time when martyrdom was effectively a thing of the past for Christians, therefore the focus is less on the physical struggle and more on the internal and this definitely comes across. Also interesting is the complete and commendable lack of ego: in fact Augustine constantly refers to himself as a sinner. A book to be treasured.
Kieran Wright |