The Confessions of St. Augustine (1956 Mass Market Paperbacks)

• Author: Aurelius Augustine (354-430)

• Translator: Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800–1882)

• Introduction by: Reverend Harold Charles Gardiner, S.J. (1904-1969)

• Front Cover Design: Charles Skaggs

• Publisher: Pocket Books, Inc. New York, NY U.S.A 1956

Some have described Augustine's "Confessions" as the first autobiography. It is in Truth the design and road map to modern western civilization. Aurelius Augustine (354-430) had a very good education for the fourth century. He became a Roman Catholic monk. Slightly later he was made a Catholic Priest, and subsequently a Roman Catholic Bishop.

Augustine is unquestionably the most brilliant mind of the first millennium A.D. This personal account of his search for truth with his analysis of the emotional side of Christian experience in the face of sin remains a profound core to understanding the impact of Christianity. Any book still in print after approx. 1,700 years simply has to be good.

Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800–1882) was an English churchman, for more than fifty years Regius Professor of Hebrew at the University of Oxford. He was one of the leading figures in the Oxford Movement, which transformed the practices of Anglican worship closer to the practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Reverend Harold Charles Gardiner, S.J. (1904-1969) was literary editor of the monthly magazine "America, A Jesuit Review," from 1940 to 1962.

Great study copy. A literary masterpiece produced at an affordable price for the mass market. Paperback which looks like never read. No creases in spine. Shelf wear and age evident at edges, with darkening pages but not excessive.

• Size: 16mo - over 5¾ - 6¾" tall, 317pp.

• Condition: Very Good Mass Market Paperback – Always Privately Owned.

Copyright 1951. Promoted as a Cardinal Edition. Front cover design by Charles Skaggs. Contains all 13 books of the original. This copy from 7th printing in April, 1956. Cardinal catalog: C-27. No ISBN, LCCN. MSR = US $0.35.

Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.” Booksellers needed some word to describe this...

Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.

Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have

missing pages (you should ask).

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy.

Thanks for looking!