The City of God (11-22) - Library Edition

Reviews

“The timeless works of St Augustine of Roman North Africa continue to excite the minds of Euro-American scholars. His views of God, human beings, the world, governance, theology, and education provide starting points for considered discussions and actions. Undoubtedly, The City of God is one of his best known works. It speaks about two loves, two cities, and two destinies, namely the love of human beings to God and to the world, the city of God and the city of human beings, and the eternal punishment for the wicked and the enduring bliss for the godly. William Babcock enables his readers, who are accustomed to modern Euro-American ways of thinking and categorizing realities, to grasp St. Augustine’s intended thoughts and purposes. The introductory information in front of each book and the footnote references to relevant biblical passages and other contextual sources provide necessary orientation and clarification. The Index of Scripture (pp. 555–567) and the extensive general index (pp. 569–611) refer the readers to appropriate passages not only in this present volume, but also in the previous volume (Part I: Vol. 6, Books I–X). Every reader who wishes to understand the content and meaning of The City of God will find this book extremely valuable. Hence, I recommend it wholeheartedly."

Daniel Jeyaraj,
Liverpool Hope University

“This is a magnificent new translation, sure to be welcomed by readers of Augustine old and new. It is certainly worthy of a place among the great translations of this work, offering an eminently readable and accurate rendition. One forgets one is reading a translation -- isn't that the goal of all great translating? Highly recommended. “

John Cavadini,
Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame

“This lucid translation of Augustine’s complicated Latin text, complemented by an expert introduction and helpful notes, is a remarkable achievement indeed. A new jewel in the crown of an already famous series that is highly appreciated worldwide.”

Johannes van Oort,
Editor of Vigiliae Christianae; Author of Jerusalem and Babylon (1991; paperback: Leiden-Boston 2012)

“City of God is read by theologians and philosophers, classicists and historians of ideas. All will be grateful to William Babcock for his new subheadings and summaries, which trace the articulations of Augustine’s carefully connected argument. Babcock’s long reflection and deep understanding, expressed in his outstanding Introduction, shape every sentence of this clear and thoughtful translation.”

Gillian Clark,
Professor Emerita, University of Bristol; Co-editor, Oxford Early Christian Studies

“The monumental City of God has astonishingly relevant things to say to an age of postmodernism, secularism, multiculturalism and globalisation. This affordable new translation with useful notes will make this masterpiece accessible to the 21st century reader. “

Karla Pollmann,
Professor of Classics, University of St. Andrews

[T]his translation fully justifies the praise that has already been heaped on it. Lyrical without any sacrifice of sense, it compares consistently well with both Dyson and Bettenson and is certainly the most beautiful and up-to-date of the existing versions … Augustine used multiple Latin versions of the Bible besides Jerome’s, including his own, and one great advantage of the edition under review is that, where past translators have used pre-existent English versions of the Vulgate for scriptural citations, Babcock renders each scriptural quotation directly and individually … Babcock takes the unique step of removing the titular headings which have formed an integral part of the work since the first printed edition, but which are in all probability non-authorial … Its absence has a clarifying effect … The notes are comprehensive enough to suffice for any level of reader and are given as footnotes for ease of reference (neatly including the kind of material on key people and events that is glossarial in the Cambridge University Press edition) … [A] truly new, elegant and intelligent translation well worth both the committed Augustinian’s and the neophyte’s while.

Arabella Milbank,
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Read the full review at Marginalia (the Journal of the Medieval Reading Group at the University of Cambridge)

One of the better things happening in the world of Patristics is the quiet yet steady work going on at New City Press towards producing a contemporary English translation of most of St. Augustine’s extensive corpus. The latest release in its effort is the first of a two-volume edition of The City of God, beautifully and lucidly translated by William Babcock. Volume 1 provides us with not only Books 1-10 of City of God’s 22 books but also contains Babcock’s excellent introduction to the whole treatise, in addition to an extensively detailed table of contents. Read More...

Jeremy Bergstrom
Citizens of Heaven

About the Author

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is one of the greatest thinkers and writers of the Western world. After he converted to Christianity he became bishop of Hippo in North Africa, where he was influential in civil and church affairs. His writings have had a lasting impact on Western philosophy and culture.