Some books on St Augustine of Hippo

UPDATE 20 December 2023.

Here is a fine new translation of the Confessions by Anthony Esolen.  Beautifully printed and bound by the good folks at TAN.

US HERE – UK HERE

 


Originally Published on: Jun 21, 2017

Here is a newish book on Augustine:

St Augustine of Hippo, An Intellectual Biography by Miles Hollingworth

US HERE – UK HERE

REVIEW: The book on Augustine which Pope Benedict would have wanted to write.

This is not a highbrow book intended for college professors, with an avalanche of technical footnotes coming at you. In fact this is the most readable life of Augustine I have ever read (and I have read a few). There are two compelling features to the book. Its style is poetic. Moreover, the treatment Hollingworth offers to well chosen points in Augustine’s thought is meditative. This is a decidedly fresh take on Augustine.

A really interesting book on the Doctor of Grace, check out Serge Lancel‘s volume.  He is an archeologist and expert on inscriptions.  He brings this to bear on Augustine’s life.  

US HERE – UK HERE

The translation from French is a little awkward and it has the strangest system of end notes (two different sets, with different markers, one at the end of chapters and the other at the end of the volume). It is engaging.

There is, of course, the necessary …

Augustine of Hippo: a biography by Peter Brown

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He wrote the first edition when in grad school, and when he was having some personal issues.  It has survived as a necessary reference in every bibliography over the decades and Brown has in recent years updated it.   Your bending Augustine shelf isn’t complete without it.

St. Augustine of Hippo: Life and controversies by Gerald Bonner

US HERE – UK HERE

This breaks down Augustine’s life by the major controversies in which he was engaged and, Manichean, Donatist, Pelagian, in a second part, goes more detail into the circumstances and theology of the controversies.  Helpful.

Christ and the Just Society in the Thought of Augustine by Robert Dodaro, OSA

US HERE – UK HERE

This is, quite simply, THE BOOK when it comes to Augustine’s political theory… and a whole lot more.  This is NOT an easy read, but it is essential for any serious scholar.

To get into Augustine’s political writings…

Augustine: Political Writings (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)

US HERE – UK HERE

We have to deal with primary texts.  This handy volume brings together Augustine’s principle texts which have to do with politics.  Augustine didn’t write a work of political theory as such.  We have to glean it from his works.

Another must have book…

Augustine: Ancient thought baptized by John Rist

US HERE – UK HERE

And…

Augustine Deformed: Love, Sin and Freedom in the Western Moral Tradition by John Rist

US HERE – UK HERE

What can one say about Rist?  I think he knows everything about Augustine.  He is NOT an easy read and he will challenge you.

As for The Confessions, everyone asks me about the “best” translation.  There are a lot to choose from.  However, having looked around and asked around, I suggest…

The Confessions by Dame Maria Boulding, OSB, who was at Stanbrook Abbey.

US HERE – UK HERE

There is also Pine-Coffin and Chadwick.

And a guide to the Big One…

Augustine’s City of God by Gerard O’Daly

US HERE – UK HERE

Here is a great general book.

The Theology of Augustine: An Introductory Guide to His Most Important Works by Matthew Levering

US HERE – UK HERE

And here is the book to get about interpretations of Augustine’s political theory in the 20th c. and 21st c.

Political Augustinianism: Modern Interpretations of Augustine’s Political Thought by Michael Bruno

US HERE – UK HERE