Augustine of Hippo: A Biography

unbelievably well researched and well written bio of the man who started the tradition of autobiography

This biography offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Augustine's life, delving into his personal journey, theological developments, and the historical context of his time. The author presents Augustine not only as a significant theological figure but also as a man navigating the complexities of his era. The narrative captures Augustine's transformation from a young seeker to a leading voice in the early church. It examines his internal struggles, his relationships, and his responses to the cultural and religious challenges of the late Roman Empire. The writing is both scholarly and accessible, making it suitable for readers interested in history, theology, or personal transformation. What stands out is the depth of research and the balanced portrayal of Augustine's character. The biography doesn't shy away from discussing his controversies and contradictions, providing a nuanced view that respects the subject's humanity. Overall, this work serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to understand Augustine's enduring influence on Christian thought and Western philosophy.

Brown's Augustine is sympathetic, stubborn, loving, ambitious, and infinitely complex. When he wasn't raging against Pelagianism in the theological, and often political, world of Roman Letters, he was fighting slavers, making friends, and founding the medieval church. Augustine didn't want to become a bishop. Religion was supposed to be his escape from the active life, but God had other plans for him.

I love when he's describing a walk thru ancient Rome. I felt like I was there. In 415 ! He was worried about his library. In Hippo ! He was a Saint !

I prefer this biography of Augustine to the more recent one. Brown is clearly a scholar of immense erudition. He does an eloquent job of showing us Augustine as a human being, not merely a saint. Also that Augustine was not always a nice person. Brown also clearly explains the doctrinal controversies of the time and the factors that resulted in Catholicism being the "orthodox" version of Christianity in the western empire. Another point that comes out relevant to later history (especially the justifications for the Crusades): that the Middle East and North Africa were Christian territories long before the rise and conquests of Islam. And that the eastern churches were more theologically sophisticated than the western at the time of Augustine.

Peter Brown's biography of St Augustine has enlightened half a century of scholarship, guided countless projects of serious students and served as a point of departure towards a spiritual pilgrimage for a general readership. For several years we had a group at St Mary's/Cambridge of advanced students and people in search of spiritual guidance and I always recommend them this biography that presents such a living portrait of Augustine. Particularly, chapter 16 on the Confessions serves the group as an introduction to the 'reading and experience' of the classic masterpiece. From there the road is open to explore various aspects of Augustine's life and work. As the group does taking up the Spiritual Exercises in the Confessions. .

One of the inspiring books I have in my collections.

Brown’s work is not for the ‘light’ reader. It is rich in historical data and thoroughly in its discussion and description of Augustine Anchises times. Still, for those who want a fuller understanding of Augustine’s times and his work which had a profound influence on Christianity then and even now, it may be worth the read.

Read the first sentence, BEFORE you buy this book. If you can get through that sentence comfortably, then buy the book. For me, it was the most garbled, poorly constructed, pretentious sentence I've seen in a while. Usually the first sentence / paragraph / chapter gets the most attention by a writer. If that's the result here, Brown is not my man. Did this book have an editor? I pity them if it did. After rereading and rereading the first paragraph, I decided the garbled writing style of this author was definitely not for me. I'm sure Brown is a giant of a scholar, but his writing is just awful. I donated my copy to my local book exchange, with a small note on the first page... "Possibly the worst first sentence of any book written".

Not just a good book written by a great author, this edition is also beautifully made and designed.

Item arrived as described, I was very satisfied with the service.

First class writing

An excellent biography of St Augustine