Augustine: A New Biography

Best biography on St Augustine with strong insight on the historical time that he lived in, which in many ways is a reflection of our own time. James O'Donnel knows St Augustine, his work and his time better than any other author/professor that I've ever heard or read. Probably not a biography for somebody who knows very little about the saint. Rod G.

This book is beautifully written and explores so many of the details about Augustine's life that other biographies fail to present. Augustine was a sinner turned saint, not vice versa, and this biography reveals the deeper, more troubling aspects of this hero of the faith. But, it also reminds the reader that this saint was an actual, living, breathing mortal who even went to the bathroom on occasion (hopefully more than that-LOL), and yet loved God with all his heart and soul. I couldn't put this biography down and hope it will inspire you as it did me. O'Donnell does a sparkling job of presenting the "Real Augustine," not just the faultless image. BRAVO!!

This is a unique, critical biography that opens up new questions regarding a much glossed over saint. Wonderful!

Based on thousands of years of study and contemplation, new primary sources and using the discipline of social history a picture of the man Agustine emerges from this book--not just the theologican. Equally facinating the detiled social history and church history of the time. Hihgly recommend to deepen understanding and for me even more enjoyment of Augustine's classic "Confesions". But if you have never read Augustine's Confession, that is the book that is a masterpiece and chould be read by every literate person alive.

I saw this in a long, very interesting and positive review in New Republic, then a shorter one in the New York Times by the kind of academic who just has to show how smart *he* is even though he has to admit the book is first-rate. Got it, read it: wow -- a real eye-opener. Not your parish priest's Saint Augustine, that's for sure. Not that the book doesn't make you take Augustine and his ideas seriously, but he was a complicated and messy person. I guess he tried to tell us that in the Confessions, but people insisted on making a saint out of him anyway. But it's a great read, author has a droll sense of humor and really makes you think.