Augustine was one of the most remarkable figures of the early Christian church. Born in North Africa in A.D. 354, the son of a pagan farmer, he rose to become Bishop of Hippo and a hugely influential Christian writer, whose Confessions are still loved today for their humanity and spiritual depth. In this gorgeously illustrated volume Oxford scholar Carolinne White presents fresh translations of choice passages from the Confessions. These extracts have been chosen to express Augustine's wisdom and his mystical yearning for God. Lively narrative and colorful anecdotes are interspersed with passages of great poetry in praise of God. In the process of describing his own failings, Augustine also gives relevant advice on how to live a Christian life. In this first modern illustrated edition of the Confessions, Augustine's words are accompanied by beautiful medieval and Renaissance illuminations from manuscripts in the collection at the British Library—making this a volume to treasure for a lifetime.