Augustine of Hippo: A Biography

One of the inspiring books I have in my collections.

I prefer this biography of Augustine to the more recent one. Brown is clearly a scholar of immense erudition. He does an eloquent job of showing us Augustine as a human being, not merely a saint. Also that Augustine was not always a nice person. Brown also clearly explains the doctrinal controversies of the time and the factors that resulted in Catholicism being the "orthodox" version of Christianity in the western empire. Another point that comes out relevant to later history (especially the justifications for the Crusades): that the Middle East and North Africa were Christian territories long before the rise and conquests of Islam. And that the eastern churches were more theologically sophisticated than the western at the time of Augustine.

This is obviously one of the essential books to read in the field of intellectual history, particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of Late Antiquity. I will not repeat what others have said in great detail only to note that the very last chapter, "New Directions", is a critical addition to the latest edition of a very fine book.

Very inspiring reading. Unfortunately the typing is too small.

Brown’s work is not for the ‘light’ reader. It is rich in historical data and thoroughly in its discussion and description of Augustine Anchises times. Still, for those who want a fuller understanding of Augustine’s times and his work which had a profound influence on Christianity then and even now, it may be worth the read.

Peter Brown's biography of St Augustine has enlightened half a century of scholarship, guided countless projects of serious students and served as a point of departure towards a spiritual pilgrimage for a general readership. For several years we had a group at St Mary's/Cambridge of advanced students and people in search of spiritual guidance and I always recommend them this biography that presents such a living portrait of Augustine. Particularly, chapter 16 on the Confessions serves the group as an introduction to the 'reading and experience' of the classic masterpiece. From there the road is open to explore various aspects of Augustine's life and work. As the group does taking up the Spiritual Exercises in the Confessions. .

This book gives excellent insight into Augustine's life and the time in which he lived. It explains his teachings, attitudes, and thoughts very well.

Good condition as described.

Item arrived as described, I was very satisfied with the service.

Read the first sentence, BEFORE you buy this book.If you can get through that sentence comfortably, then buy the book. For me, it was the most garbled, poorly constructed, pretentious sentence I've seen in a while. Usually the first sentence / paragraph / chapter gets the most attention by a writer. If that's the result here, Brown is not my man.Did this book have an editor? I pity them if it did.After rereading and rereading the first paragraph, I decided the garbled writing style of this author was definitely not for me. I'm sure Brown is a giant of a scholar, but his writing is just awful. I donated my copy to my local book exchange, with a small note on the first page... "Possibly the worst first sentence of any book written".

Not just a good book written by a great author, this edition is also beautifully made and designed.

An excellent biography of St Augustine

First class writing