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oceanwriter's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I’m not sure how to do a proper review on this given the content, age, length, and subject matters, so I’ll keep it simple and say that this made for great Lenten reading. I hadn’t planned on choosing this until it caught my eye at the bookstore. I’m glad I picked it up, heavy and dizzying as it could be at times. I feel like I’ve come away with a lot of insight as well as a lesson in this historical period that I don’t often study. I found it often repetitive which made some parts more difficult to sit through than others. Still, I would not have opted for one of the abridged versions just to avoid this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death
elizkacz's review
4.0
There are a lot of gems from Augustine in this massive undertaking and the way they continue to apply today is clear. It also gives interesting insight to the general way of life at this point in history. Also, I cannot get over his obsession with magnets! It's so cute how he goes on for pages about them - he was truly fascinated by them! (I'm being unintentionally patronizing to a theologian blessed with a wonderful mind. I'm all for unironic enthusiasm!)
I had a few problems that, in retrospect, date the book:
1) Women are not a weaker sex.
2) The style can be difficult.
Again, these problems date the book as a product of it's time.
I had a few problems that, in retrospect, date the book:
1) Women are not a weaker sex.
2) The style can be difficult.
Again, these problems date the book as a product of it's time.
horacelamb's review
5.0
This book is a classic for a reason. It's historical range and theological/philosophical depth are really incredible. And Augustine's knowledge of the Bible is equally impressive. It's not an easy book to read, particularly the first half where Augustine is interacting with the philosophers of his day. Some of these issues seem irrelevant to us today. But much of the book is quite modern in its applicability.
I listened to it, skimmed a print version and also listened to Charles Matthewes's lectures on the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33244923-books-that-matter. So it may be more accurate to say I was exposed to the book rather than read it. But that exposure was sufficient to make me a fan and I hope to use it as a reference book going forward.
Matthewes notes this summary sentence toward the end of the book: "There, there in the eschaton, we shall rest and see, see and love, love and praise. Behold, this is what shall be in the end without end. For what other end is there for us, but to arrive at this kingdom
which has no end?"
Rest and see. See and love. Love and praise. That's how it will be at the end. Let us practice resting, seeing, loving and praising until that time.
I listened to it, skimmed a print version and also listened to Charles Matthewes's lectures on the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33244923-books-that-matter. So it may be more accurate to say I was exposed to the book rather than read it. But that exposure was sufficient to make me a fan and I hope to use it as a reference book going forward.
Matthewes notes this summary sentence toward the end of the book: "There, there in the eschaton, we shall rest and see, see and love, love and praise. Behold, this is what shall be in the end without end. For what other end is there for us, but to arrive at this kingdom
which has no end?"
Rest and see. See and love. Love and praise. That's how it will be at the end. Let us practice resting, seeing, loving and praising until that time.
aspiringorakle's review
5.0
fantastic! i read the vast majority of the book, and despite his follies, augustine remains one of the most insightful christian thinkers to exist (on this reading, i noticed how much time was spent guarding against attacks on the resurrection of the body at the end--i suppose that is really important, because it is how we achieve communion with God)
ecs_etera's review
5.0
I was honestly obsessed with this book. I want it to be the only book I have with me on a desert island. I want to read it in the original Latin. It is so incredibly dense, and hilarious and thought provoking. Highly recommend.
charlesrop's review against another edition
5.0
"Let there be a plentiful supply of public prostitutes for everyone that wishes to use them, but especially for those who are too poor to keep one for their own private use."