"Williams's masterful translation satisfies (at last!) a long-standing need. There are lots of good translations of Augustine's great work, but until now we have been forced to choose between those that strive to replicate in English something of the majesty and beauty of Augustine's Latin style and those that opt instead to convey the careful precision of his philosophical terminology and argumentation. Finally, Williams has succeeded in capturing both sides of Augustine's mind in a richly evocative, impeccably reliable, elegantly readable (...) presentation of one of the most impressive achievements in Western thought--Augustine's Confessions." --Scott MacDonald, Professor of Philosophy and Norma K. Regan Professor in Christian Studies, Cornell University. (shrink)

The anomalous dialogue, the Soliloquia, was also composed at Cassiciacum, and must be read alongside the others. While it lacks the paralinguistic potential of stage-setting, it is of particular interest as it portrays Augustine in conversation with his own ratio, or reason. This chapter explores the way in which these two are characterized, and their treatment of topics as they discuss ‘God and the soul’. It also looks at how the ratio of the liberal disciplines might relate to the personified (...) ratio of the Soliloquia. (shrink)