Author:Saint Augustine,R. S. Pine-Coffin,R. S. Pine-Coffin
One of a major new Classics series - books that have changed the history of thought, in sumptuous, clothbound hardbacks.
The son of a pagan father and a Christian mother, Saint Augustine spent his early years torn between conflicting faiths and world views. His Confessions, written when he was in his forties, recount how, slowly and painfully, he came to turn away from his youthful ideas and licentious lifestyle, to become instead a staunch advocate of Christianity and one of its most influential thinkers. A remarkably honest and revealing spiritual autobiography, the Confessions also address fundamental issues of Christian doctrine, and many of the prayers and meditations it includes are still an integral part of the practice of Christianity today.
Life-enhancing, extraordinarily vivid … It is impossible to praise this book too highly
—— ListenerA book of quite exceptional charm
—— New StatesmanThe reader feels sheer delight in an entirely new world
—— Margaret MeadAmazing ... It inspired me to seek out wild places
—— Ray MearsOne of the best non-fiction writers alive today
—— Steven PinkerEveryone should read it. Aethists will love Mr Dawkins's incisive logic and rapier wit and theists will find few better tests of the robustness of their faith
—— The EconomistThis is a brave and important book. Is it too much to hope that it will dump religious bigotry in the dustbin of history where it belongs?
—— Desmond MorrisCould not be more apt for out times - Dawkins pulls out all the stops to demonstrate the force of his thesis in this passionate new book... lively and highly readable
—— The Sunday TimesAn entertaining, wildly informative, splendidly written polemic... we are elegantly cajoled, cleverly harangued into shedding ourselves of this superficial nonsense that has bedevilled us since our first visit to Sunday school
—— Rod Liddle , The Sunday TimesA beauifully written and admirably restrained response to the systematic abuse which has blighted thousands of lives
—— Event magazineIn the hands of a less agile writer, the complex narration of this novel and its passionate denunciation of the Catholic Church would likely have failed. Fortunately for us, Boyne is a master storyteller. When I arrived at the last page, I knew I had just read an instant classic.
—— Toronto StarRespectfully outraged, timely, scandalous and loaded with more than a little controversy, A History of Loneliness shimmers like a multifaceted diamond.
—— Washington BladeDeftly complex . . . Boyne gets it right
—— USA TodayA compelling testament to the suffering of ordinary people caught up in violence far beyond their control – and to the particularly terrible price it exacts from women.
—— Rachel Aspden , GuardianStarkly horrifying memoir.
—— Andrew Lynch , Sunday Business PostFarida Khalaf won her small but significant battle. Its happy ending notwithstanding, it's difficult to focus on positivity – but then, perhaps that's why this remains a vital read.
—— Hot PressA gut-wrenching and relentless experience...Farida's story needs to be told.
—— Catherine Philip , The TimesA powerful description of a world ripped apart... Farida tells a story that is testament to how toxic violence can be born of religion.
—— New StatesmanThis is a mesmerising study of human cruelty and a brave depiction of the monsters that arise when reason sleeps.
—— Oliver Thring , Sunday TimesIt’s a shattering, brave, enraging book but also a stirring story of survival.
—— Sunday ExpressAn unflinching account… This is one of those rare volumes that offers astonishing insights into the human spirit… A catalogue of horror is made bearable only by her extraordinary courage.
—— Joan Smith , ObserverAlthough a harrowing story it is also an uplifting one as it is truly a triumph of the human spirit over terror.
—— Frank McGabhann , Irish TimesThis is a brave, harrowing but necessary book.
—— Colette Sheridan , Irish ExaminerFarida's story needs to be told
—— The TimesTruly a triumph of the human spirit over terror
—— Irish TimesThis is one of those rare volumes that offers astonishing insights into the human spirit
—— ObserverA compelling testament to the suffering of ordinary people caught up in violence far beyond their control
—— GuardianMesmerising
—— Sunday TimesTimely, excruciating and important.
—— Bookseller