Saint Augustine's Conversion

by Garry Wills

As relevant today as it was when it was originally written sixteen hundred years ago, Augustine’s Confessiones continues to influence contemporary religion, language, and thought. Reading with fresh, keen eyes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Garry Wills has brought his superb gifts of analysis and insight to bear on this classic of Western tradition in a series of ambitious and critically acclaimed translations and interpretations. In Saint Augustine’s Conversion , Augustine’s story draws to its dramatic conclusion in what Wills calls the “hinge” chapter of the bishop’s confessional opus. With an illuminating introduction and extensive notes throughout, Wills provides a richly rewarding and inventive interpretation of Augustine’s seminal work for a new generation of readers.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published November 18, 2004

About the author

Garry Wills is an American author, journalist, political philosopher, and historian, specializing in American history, politics, and religion, especially the history of the Catholic Church. He won a Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1993.
Wills has written over fifty books and, since 1973, has been a frequent reviewer for The New York Review of Books. He became a faculty member of the history department at Northwestern University in 1980, where he is an Emeritus Professor of History.

Reviews

[Ann Kerley]

Scholarly work that focuses more on Augustines struggles with Manichean ideas and the debates with the Donatists, rather than his path to conversion, though some valuable insights, often surprising and not fitting the usual portrayal of one obsessed with sex, are offered. Laden with quotes not only from his works, but also also those of other Augustinian scholars. A great and informative read especially with regard to his friendship with Marcellinus and his dealings with Jerome, Pelagius and Boniface. Fascinating!

[Megan]

Heavy-duty theology and scholarship. Very good. The translations in this book are better than in my other collection of Augustine's writings.

[Zacaro Caro]

Late have I loved you, God that I knew. A great read for anyone ready to dive deeper into their faith or the faith of the early Church fathers.