• Translated by F. J. Sheed
• Introduction by Peter Brown
• Notes by Michael Foley
Like the first Hackett edition of the
Augustine’s Confessions, the second edition features F. J.
Sheed’s remarkable translation of this classic spiritual
autobiography with an Introduction by noted historian of
late antiquity Peter Brown. New to this edition are a
wealth of notes on literary, philosophical, biblical,
historical, and liturgical topics by Michael P. Foley, an
Editor’s Preface, a map, a timeline, paragraph numbers in
the text, a glossary, and a thorough index. The text itself
has been completely reset, with textual and explanatory
notes placed at the foot of the page for easy
reference.
'This translation is already a classic. It
is the translation that has guided three generations of
students and readers into a renewed appreciation of the
beauty and urgency of a masterpiece of Christian
autobiography. This is largely because the translator has
caught not only the meaning of Augustine’s Confessions, but
a large measure of its poetry. It makes the Latin sing in
English as it did when it came from the pen of Augustine,
some sixteen hundred years ago. Deeply rooted in the
tradition of which Augustine was himself a principal
founder, this translation is not only modern: it is a
faithful echo, in a language that has carried throughout
the ages, of its author’s original passion and disquiet.”
--Peter Brown
'Saint Augustine’s Latin presents notable
difficulties for translators. And even good English
translations have usually dated badly. Frank Sheed’s, which
I read a mere fifty years ago, still shows no signs of
dating. It captures Augustine’s extraordinary combination
of precise statement and poetic evocation as does no
other.' --Alasdair MacIntyre
'Augustine’s sublime Confessions fairly
ring with the music of a baroque eloquence, lavish and
stately. F. J. Sheed’s ear for that music makes this
translation a memorable opportunity to hear Augustine’s
voice resonating down the years.' --James O’Donnell