The Confessions: Study edition, (The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century) 2nd edition (Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century, 1) Paperback – June 14, 2012

You might think that humanity has changed a lot over the past 2,000 years. And I suppose in some ways it has. But when you get right down to it, people are people. Always have been, always will be.And if you’re in doubt, just read the first memoir ever written: St. Augustine’s Confessions.Though first penned over a millennia and a half ago, Confessions is just as relevant today as it ever was. Augustine deals with the same issues and struggles we all do. And as I read, I was reminded again and again of how stable the human condition is.This isn’t to say that Augustine’s story sounds like it could’ve happened in modern America. The cultural distance between North Africa in the fifth century and the Western world of the twenty-first century is great.Augustine discusses philosophic and religious ideas that the average American won’t ever encounter (I mean, when was the last time you met a Manichee?). He has relationships and conversations that will sound peculiar to modern ears (when he and his dad are in a public bath and his dad notice he is...ahem...reaching puberty, he gets excited about potential grandchildren. Augustine is 16 at the time).But so much of what Augustine writes mirrors our own lives.Illegitimate children? Check.Violent entertainment? Check.Political maneuvering? Check.So even though the form these things take may be foreign, the reality beneath is very modern. It’s because of this that I can say Confessions is the story of us all.Who hasn’t struggled with the problem of evil? Or felt the sting of a broken relationship? Who hasn’t gone through life without grieving? Or rejoicing? Without searching for truth or meaning in life?These are the things we read about in Augustine’s story. And as we read them there, we’re compelled to see our own journeys in light of his.For example, as he reflects on one particular sin (stealing some pears from a neighbor’s tree), he delves into the reasons underlying his wrong doing. He digs deeper than I ever have:“With regard to my theft, then: what did I love in it, and in what sense did I imitate my Lord, even if only with vicious perversity? ...Was I, in truth a prisoner, trying to simulate a crippled sort of freedom, attempting a shady parody of omnipotence by getting away with something forbidden?”What a thought he has here! That we, in our sin, are fools “attempting a shady parody of omnipotence.” I can’t help but think about the sins that filled my own past. And when I think of them, I see exactly what Augustine is talking about. Every time I used my words to hurt rather than heal - every time I used others for my own advantage - what was I doing but stretching for godhood. Like a little boy who puts on his daddy’s tie and trots around the house with an empty briefcase, my sins were my way of saying “I’m a big boy. I can be just like Dad.”“No one can tell me what to do,” I might’ve said. “Not even God.”I was my own god.But that’s how sin works. It’s the declaration of independence from a good, faithful, and gracious Father.And so, as we read his Confessions, Augustine prompts us to look deeply into the well of our own hearts. Not simply to stare at ourselves like some modern Narcissus (or one of his off-spring). But in hope that God’s Spirit is stirring the waters.Drawing us; purifying us; preparing us - all for Him.Whether we realize it or not, this is what life is about: living into God’s call. Augustine’s prayer in the opening of his memoir couldn’t be truer: “You arouse us so that praising you may bring us joy, because you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is unquiet until it rests in you.”Though I may not agree with all of Augustine’s theology (and I don’t), I can’t help but appreciate his journey. And - even more than that - the candor with which he recounts it. It’s a great reminder that even as the world around us changes, humanity remains largely the same. We love and fight, worship and politick. But whether we were born in the first century or the twenty-first century, we have the same problem (sin) and the same solution (Christ).Reading Augustine’s Confessions will remind you of that fact and call you to reflect on your own journey.May we continue down the well-worn path trodden by those who have gone before - including St. Augustine.Oh, and Maria Boulding's translation is fantastic! I can't recommend it enough.

I'm an Ironworker in Local 396 who is questioning his faith. I bought the book after hearing so much about the philosophies of Agustine in my Bible study. I was impressed. Not only was the interpretation easy to understand but I found the philosophies and Agustine's own thoughts and questions affirming to one's understanding and journey for the fulfillment of faith good read. No lie, I had to read some of the text more than once but I was reading to understand not just to read. Excellent interpretation/translation for people who really want to understand and grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Thank you!

Not an easy read but definitely worth it! If you’ve never read a book like this before you may want to start with something which is annnotated.

After coming across hundreds of references to Augustine I finally decided it was time to read one of his most heralded works. The translation is top-notch so reading it was no problem at all. The first nine chapters are fascinating as he relates his journey toward accepting Christ as his Savior. I, being just as stubborn and prideful as he ever was, could relate to his testimony quite easily. The remainder of the book, however, was much more challenging. He certainly did a lot of deep thinking about time, creation, memory, etc. and at times he left this feeble mind of mine behind in the dust. Yet I have to admire his tenacity in following his philosophical muse wherever she led him. All in all I would recommend this 1,700 year old book to anyone who's interested in finding out more about the man who was highly instrumental in getting the early church's theology on track.

First let me say that, if you are going to read St. Augustine's Confessions, this is the one to read.This English translation is brilliant, but I didn't appreicate that until I was 2/3 of the way through the book and read other translations.

This translation makes “Confessions “ much easier to read

Okay, all fun aside, this literally is one of the best translations of Augustine's Confessions available to the modern english reader. This was the first translation I read years ago, and profited immensely, that I have downloaded it on kindle as well.Aside from the fact, that Augustine's Confessions is one of the most revolutionary works of Western Literature, and one of the first psychological-autobriographies we have seen.It is beautifully written, almost lyrical, and this translation captures it.You can easily download another edition of the Confessions, with a weaker, and older translation for a tenth the price. I think it is definitely worth paying more for a quality translation.

Excellent modern translation of this wondeful, powerful work by a humble follower of Jesus. I bought a number of translations in preparation for teaching Augustine's Confessions. In the end, I found Boulding's translation the most readable. I debated between Boulding and Sarah Ruden's excellent recent translation and though it's probably a wash overall, I found Ruden's translation a bit too contemporary-sounding at points. Nevertheless, I would suggest trying both.(Update 11/30/2020, I had a number of students buy the mass market version this year--I wasn't aware there was now a mass market edition and I just wrote in the syllabus that the paperback version of Boulding would be fine. It's not fine! Pagination is entirely different between mass market and trade editions and there is a need to constantly adjust page numbers and refer to the weird chaper numbers.)

It's a wonderful book...an easy to read translation.

This translation (Maria Boulding) is simply outstanding in the second half of the Confessions.I have read a few different translations of the Confessions and this translation is easily the best for the long 'metaphysical' chapters.The Pine-Coffin translation is enjoyable, and also recommended, but the Boulding translation is much clearer and a great help in the more difficult sections of this fantastic book.

This is not a new book that I intended to purchase. As you can see from the photos pages have been marked by the previous reader.I want a a refund or return.