"Augustine's fourth-century spiritual autobiography is not only a major document in the history of Christianity and a classic of Roman Africa, it also marks a vital moment in the history of Western culture. As Augustine recounts his life, he probes the great themes that others were to explore after him - faith, time, truth, identity, and self-knowledge - with a degree of detail unmatched in ancient literature. Illustrated with vivid portraits of friends, family, colleagues, and enemies, The Confessions provides a remarkably candid account of the passage from a life of sensuality and superstition to a genuine spiritual awakening. The result is a powerful narrative of one man's religious journey that continues to shape the way we write and behave today."--BOOK JACKET.