Confessions (Oxford World's Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Boring...
Review: I suppose this work might be inspiring and even entertaining to some people. However, this is a very select portion of the population. _Confessions_ is, pure and simple, Augustine's justification of his religious beliefs. The text tends to be incredibly repetitious, and belabors inconsequential points. For instance, Augustine takes great pains (many times) to explain that incorruptable is better than corruptable. Whoopee. I will concede that _Confessions_ is more entertaining than _City_Of_God_, but that's small praise indeed. Most likely, you'll end up reading one or both of these works for some college course. Just remember as you're reading through the same idea for the umpteenth time that it doesn't get any worse than this.

Rating:
Summary: Boring...
Review: I suppose this work might be inspiring and even entertaining tosome people. However, this is a very select portion of thepopulation. _Confessions_ is, pure and simple, Augustine's justification of his religious beliefs. The text tends to be incredibly repetitious, and belabors inconsequential points. For instance, Augustine takes great pains (many times) to explain that incorruptable is better than corruptable. Whoopee. I will concede that _Confessions_ is more entertaining than _City_Of_God_, but that's small praise indeed. Most likely, you'll end up reading one or both of these works for some college course. Just remember as you're reading through the same idea for the umpteenth time that it doesn't get any worse than this.

Rating:
Summary: Questions in the middle of the night?
Review: As someone who often wakes in the middle of the night with difficult questions bubbling to the surface of my mind, this book has been a source of enlightenment. The power and depth of this work is undeniable and life changing. I recommend it for anyone who whishes to explore the possibilities of the human spirit. I say this as a practicing atheist and cynic.

Rating:
Summary: Saint Augustine- The Confessions
Review: A new translation which respects the literary aspects of the original Latin, especially the poetical elements. Although it adheres to the original it also adopts inclusive language. This is a clear, crisp translation which reads very well.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, Wrong Translation
Review: "The Confessions" is undoubtedly one of the great books of western civilization, and the paradigm of the autobiography genre. But Henry Chadwick's modern translation available through Oxford University Press is a more vibrant and exacting translation. Pusey's translation is too Victorian, which casts too much of the Patristic writer in a Victorian mode of being. Augustine was a preeminent rhetorician, which comes out more brilliantly in Chadwick's translation. Moreover, the philosophical arguments advanced by Augustine are more clearly stated in the Chadwick translation. The hardcover or paperback version from Oxford isn't any more expensive, but significantly better translated.

Rating:
Summary: a fabulous prayer
Review: I will begin by stating that I am an estranged ex-catholic. But as a philosopher and writer, I always wanted to read The Confessions of St. Augustine. The famed quote of Give me chastity and continence but not yet is one that I have often used out of context with a wicked smile. It was great to read these lines within the intended framework of Augustines writing. This is a beautiful book. Augustines gradual turn toward God is glorious. This book beautifully illustrates the human ability for transformation and transcendence. Along with Meister Eckhart and Thomas Aquinas it gives one a good grasp of the early Christian and Catholic theory. As a cynic I must question what went wrong but my sarcasm should not detract from the sheer beauty and power of St Augustine. It brought me closer to God if not back to my original faith. Like the Bible itself, this is a book that many Christians in general and Catholics in specific really ought to read.

Rating:
Summary: The Prodigal Son
Review: "Late have I love you, Oh beauty so ancient and so new, late have I love you". Resumes the timeless message of Agustines to humanity.An excellent autobiography of a life that found meaning and purpose when He was found by the mercy and sovereignty of God. He explodes in rich streams of poetry, praise combined with deep intellect and honesty. Truly this book deserves to be read.."our hearts are restless until we rest in Him"

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: augustine's confessions is an invaluable work. it couples heart-felt soul-searching with intelligent theological/philosophical analysis. after reading it, there is little wonder why many consider him the most influential christian thinker since paul.

Rating:
Summary: An Honest Human account of the love that God has for us
Review: St Augustine sets out to honestly be apart and not separate from everyone of us, by letting us know of his frail and human existence which is embodied by sin and corruptiblity, but he so reassurringly reminds us that through God's mercies and graces we are loved and forgiven of sin by acknowledgement and by a constant repentance of sin. Augustine speaks of God's love in a penatrating fashion that touches the soul of whoever is in search of releasing the hard coated cover of restraints and freely allowing God's love to touch the depths of our heart, which as Augustine so reverently feels and leaves one who reads along with a hair-rising experience of Love from our Father.

Rating:
Summary: Positively Gorgeous
Review: No other words for me to try to describe it, but moving, gorgeous, and utterly real. The most exquisite piece of literature or philosophy I've ever encountered as an avid reader of the humanities. Read it!