Download The Confessions PDF

2008
Title The Confessions
Authors
Genres Biography: Religious & Spiritual Literary Essays Christian Books
Publisher OUP Oxford
ISBN 9780199537822
In his own day the dominant personality of the Western Church, Augustine of Hippo today stands as perhaps the greatest thinker of Christian antiquity, and his Confessions is one of the great works of Western literature. In this intensely personal narrative, Augustine relates his rare ascent from a humble Algerian farm to the edge of the corridors of power at the imperial court in Milan, his struggle against the domination of his sexual nature, his renunciation of secular ambition and marriage, and the recovery of the faith his mother Monica had taught him during his childhood.Now, Henry Chadwick, an eminent scholar of early Christianity, has given us the first new English translation in thirty years of this classic spiritual journey. Chadwick renders the details of Augustine's conversion in clear, modern English. We witness the future saint's fascination with astrology and with the Manichees, and then follow him through scepticism and disillusion with pagan myths until he finally reaches Christian faith. There are brilliant philosophical musings about Platonism and the nature of God, and touching portraits of Augustine's beloved mother, of St. Ambrose of Milan, and of other early Christians like Victorinus, who gave up a distinguished career as a rhetorician to adopt the orthodox faith. Augustine's concerns are often strikingly contemporary, yet his work contains many references and allusions that are easily understood only with background information about the ancient social and intellectual setting. To make The Confessions accessible to contemporary readers, Chadwick provides the most complete and informative notes of any recent translation, and includes an introduction to establish the context.The religious and philosophical value of The Confessions is unquestionable--now modern readers will have easier access to St. Augustine's deeply personal meditations. Chadwick's lucid translation and helpful introduction clear the way for a new experience of this classic.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
More Books You May Like
Sustainable Shipping in a Changing Arctic
Sustainable Shipping in a Changing Arctic
Lawrence P. Hildebrand

This volume brings together multiple perspectives on both the changing Arctic environment and the challenges and opportu...

The Adventurer's Son by Roman Dial
The Adventurer's Son by Roman Dial
Roman Dial

NATIONAL BESTSELLER Destined to become an adventure classic. --Anchorage Daily NewsHailed as gripping (New York Times) a...

Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Everina Maxwell

A Sunday Times Bestseller!A 2022 Alex Award Winner! “Sparks fly” (NPR) in Everina Maxwell’s gut-wrenching and roma...

The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck
The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck
M. Scott Peck

Confronting and solving problems is a painful process which most of us attempt to avoid. Avoiding resolution results in ...

My Hero Academia, Vol. 22
My Hero Academia, Vol. 22
Kohei Horikoshi

Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.What would the world be...

Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant
Joel Golby

*National Bestseller*This is a funny and beautiful book. What a little bastard. --Russell Brand Every paragraph is like ...