The second Hackett edition of the Sheed translation, a classic in its own right, offers a wealth of notes on philosophical, theological, historical, and liturgical issues raised by the Confessions, as well as paragraph numbers of the Latin critical edition, and a thorough index.
Confessions, Second Edition (Translated & Annotated)
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Editorial Reviews
Review
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
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
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
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
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
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
Language Notes
Text: Latin, English
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Sheed's translation of this classic of Western and Christian culture is truly beautiful. He went beyond presenting an accurate translation; beyond a clear translation. He gave us a translation that is accurate, clear, and sonorous. The footnotes, introductions (one by famous Augustine scholar Peter Brown), and index make this a solid scholarly edition. This is a translation I will reread often.
By David
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really like Sheed's translation of this book because it definitely made more sense than other translations of this book I have read. If you have not read the Confessions before, this is a great first translation to read from.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Latin text and commentary that fills a great gap in later Latin literature
March 11, 2013
By R. Grant
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am surprised that the reviews here appear to be for another edition, particularly an English translation.
This is not an English translation!!! This is the Latin text of books 1-4 of Confessions, with some notes and commentary.
What kept me from giving this 5 stars is the text reflects classical orthography, "u" in place of "v" and other things. In the 4th century the spoken language had already changed to reflect what today is often called "ecclesiastical pronunciation" or more correctly, "later latin pronunciation". If one is good with classical orthography it is not too much of a challenge, nevertheless it is not accurate to how Augustine would have spoken in the 4th century AD.
Apart from that, the text is very readable and the notes are very helpful in breaking down complex constructions that Augustine uses as well as explaining obscure vocabula. This is great to fill in a gap for Latin students, namely moving from classical Latin to ecclesiastical writers. Augustine's Latin is very important for reading medieval and scholastic Latin, since apart from the Vulgate, Augustine is the writer, more than any other, around whom later writers would base their composition and style. Augustine is the last gasp of major intellectual thought in the Roman Empire, and his rhetoric and argument is as strong for us today as it was in his own day.
There are a few drawbacks, depending on one's level of Latin. There is no facing vocabulary or a vocabulary in the back, which is not a handicap for someone who knows Latin well but can be for an intermediate student looking to move to better reading fluency. The pain of having to look up certain words can affect the enjoyment of the work, but on the other hand the student should be doing/already have done this work. For an instructor it merely creates the headache of having to make a worksheet or emphasize vocabulary based on what kind of instruction the student has received in the past. My attitude to facing vocabulary is that it is basically like training wheels and may even make the student lazy rather than force him to appropriate necessary vocabulary. Be that as it may, another shortcoming is the fact that the notes are not next to the text but are in the back. This means that you have to keep your finger in two places, or after reading a bit you must flip to the back for certain explanations which interrupts the flow of the reading, rather than glancing quickly to the next page before continuing. Again, for someone at an advanced or instructional level, this is not so difficult, but again, for an intermediate student it can become a handicap.
On the whole, however, this text is very good for filling the gap of reading early and medieval Church Latin. The primacy on classics is unfortunate given that Latin continued as a language for 2 thousand years after the age of Augustus, and a lot of texts and instruction would leave one at a loss to read for example, legal Latin of the middle ages and early modern period, theological Latin whether of the Church Fathers or medieval scholastic theologians, or early Latin writings of protestant writers like Calvin and Luther, etc. Given that at the least 1/3rd of those studying Latin are doing so out of an interest in the tradition of the Latin Church, this is a major gap that eventually needs to be filled.
This is not an English translation!!! This is the Latin text of books 1-4 of Confessions, with some notes and commentary.
What kept me from giving this 5 stars is the text reflects classical orthography, "u" in place of "v" and other things. In the 4th century the spoken language had already changed to reflect what today is often called "ecclesiastical pronunciation" or more correctly, "later latin pronunciation". If one is good with classical orthography it is not too much of a challenge, nevertheless it is not accurate to how Augustine would have spoken in the 4th century AD.
Apart from that, the text is very readable and the notes are very helpful in breaking down complex constructions that Augustine uses as well as explaining obscure vocabula. This is great to fill in a gap for Latin students, namely moving from classical Latin to ecclesiastical writers. Augustine's Latin is very important for reading medieval and scholastic Latin, since apart from the Vulgate, Augustine is the writer, more than any other, around whom later writers would base their composition and style. Augustine is the last gasp of major intellectual thought in the Roman Empire, and his rhetoric and argument is as strong for us today as it was in his own day.
There are a few drawbacks, depending on one's level of Latin. There is no facing vocabulary or a vocabulary in the back, which is not a handicap for someone who knows Latin well but can be for an intermediate student looking to move to better reading fluency. The pain of having to look up certain words can affect the enjoyment of the work, but on the other hand the student should be doing/already have done this work. For an instructor it merely creates the headache of having to make a worksheet or emphasize vocabulary based on what kind of instruction the student has received in the past. My attitude to facing vocabulary is that it is basically like training wheels and may even make the student lazy rather than force him to appropriate necessary vocabulary. Be that as it may, another shortcoming is the fact that the notes are not next to the text but are in the back. This means that you have to keep your finger in two places, or after reading a bit you must flip to the back for certain explanations which interrupts the flow of the reading, rather than glancing quickly to the next page before continuing. Again, for someone at an advanced or instructional level, this is not so difficult, but again, for an intermediate student it can become a handicap.
On the whole, however, this text is very good for filling the gap of reading early and medieval Church Latin. The primacy on classics is unfortunate given that Latin continued as a language for 2 thousand years after the age of Augustus, and a lot of texts and instruction would leave one at a loss to read for example, legal Latin of the middle ages and early modern period, theological Latin whether of the Church Fathers or medieval scholastic theologians, or early Latin writings of protestant writers like Calvin and Luther, etc. Given that at the least 1/3rd of those studying Latin are doing so out of an interest in the tradition of the Latin Church, this is a major gap that eventually needs to be filled.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Confessions
Shipped fast and in great shape. Would suggest this read to other new and developing Christians. Chances are, Augustine had the same questions as you
Published 8 months ago by Kyle
5.0 out of 5 stars
An improved edition of the best English translation
This is an extremely welcome second edition of F.J. Sheed's 1943 translation, which is both close to the original in wording and style (unlike, say, the Chadwick or the Pinecoffin... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Dr. Richard M. Price
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for sinners: don't worry, one size fits all!
Sacred Scripture gives us persons like the prophet Isaiah, who cry out, "Woe is me, I am doomed!" He knows he is a sinner, especially realizing that he is in the presence of God. Read more
Published on August 30, 2010 by Book Glutton
3.0 out of 5 stars
the editor's preface
Michael P. Foley's "Editor's Preface" to this edition of Confessions contextualizes the translation well. It serves to locate Sheed's translation historically and academically. Read more
Published on October 26, 2007 by d
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 15
books:
See all 15 books this book cites
- Saint Augustine: On Christian Doctrine by D. W. Robertson Jr. on 6 pages
- Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia by Allan D. Fitzgerald in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- On Free Choice of the Will by Saint Augustine of Hippo in Front Matter, and page 174
- On Genesis (Works of Saint Augustine) by Saint Augustine in Front Matter, and page 240
- Augustine of Hippo: A Biography (New Edition, with an Epilogue) by Peter Brown in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
See all 15 books this book cites
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