Pioneers of the Spirit: Augustine of Hippo

"Give me chastity and continence...but not yet." With those immortal words from his classic Confessions, St. Augustine, the 4th-century bishop and renowned theologian, won the hearts of many a twentysomething grad student throughout history who wanted to attend to the straight and narrow in philosophical and spiritual pursuits...but not just yet. One of the three titles in the Pioneers of the Spirit series (the other two are Teresa of Avila and Julian of Norwich), Augustine of Hippo is a handsomely produced introduction to Augustine's life and thought which combines beautiful mosaic tile and other pieces of representative artwork, selections from Augustine's writings, and interview segments with contemporary theologians and authors concerning his autobiography ("a singularly honest analysis of what it means to seek God"). A good, inexpensive introduction to a historical figure many consider--with his piercing insights into the nature of the self--to be the first modern individual. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Pitman)