Confessions: St Augustine Paperback – August 28, 2016

Truly brilliant. One of the best 10 books I’ve ever read. A truly insightful reflection of a man pursuing God. What struck me was that all of his problems and struggles in his life are exactly akin to what we experience in modern times. People’s experiences and pursuit of Christ were exactly the same. Up to and including experiencing hearing the voice of God, having God appear in dreams, and a healing miracle.A note about the translator: Ben O’Rourke does a fantastic job of leaning into the truth and Character of God. An excellent translation. O’Rourke’s approach is much truer than doing what so many deceitful translators do in modern times, which is try to erase the message of Christ or apply revisionist history. A truly wonderful, modern, and relatable translation.

Ever since I was a child I had heard of St. Augustine. My preconceived notions of this antiquated book couldn’t have been more wrong. I think it really helped to have this translation provided by Mr. O’Rourke.I found myself inspired by Augustine’s inner struggles with social and work advancement - as well as his blatant promiscuity. He grows to recognize how his dedication to a religious sect is nothing but deception and untruth.His search for why God would allow sin as well as his search for the definition of what “free will” is made a big impact me. As with many in my profession (medicine), he uses intellect as the primary search tool for Jesus - realizing ultimately the discovery comes by faith alone. The words written for his mother Monica are a sweet testimony of the immortal influence that loving Christian mothers have on their sons.

I initially purchased the Sr Maria Boulding translation of “Confessions” off of Christianbook. It was a little “over translated” in my opinion but to each his own. I returned it and ordered this translation and it is absolutely perfect. It respects the original, the layout and format are way better and it is clear and relatable. The time spent processing the language of the former translation can now be spent in prayer and meditation. Thank you

There are some very stiff, Victorian-era translations of Confessions that take the joy right out of reading. This is not one of them. Fr O'Rourke has preserved the heartfelt, poetic quality of Confessions and made it accessible to a wide array of contemporary readers. Perfect for devotional reading; like reading the Psalms, you will often find yourself in the Confessions. Don't be intimidated by Augustine: Take up and read.

There are quite a few translations of Augustine’s Confessions, many of them recent; this is the most readable if not the most eloquent. It has something of the feel of Eugene Peterson’s rendering of the Bible, “The Message”. It has a thoroughly contemporary tone (though literary and cultural references will remind the reader this is from an earlier time), from many of the issues dealt with, to the fresh psychologizing and theologizing. It does seem pitched for a younger audience but is still demanding in its logic and doxologies. Augustine’s humanity and brilliance is on full display.

Its a very easy to read edition of Confessions. However, the layout of the text is sometimes annoying and difficult to slog through.

This book is a message about the triumph of hope. A worthy use of a person's time for all ages.

An excellent, readable translation that's brings to life in contemporary language the beauty and profundity of this ancient Christian spiritual Classic.