The Confessions of Saint Augustine. Illustrated by Edy Legrand. Collector’s Edition. Easton Press. Norwalk, 1979.

Saint Augustine was a theologian and philosopher in the fourth and fifth centuries. He largely shaped Western philosophy and Christianity, bridging the two like no other historic figure. In his lifetime, Saint Augustine was a North African bishop whose writings elevated him to one of the Church Fathers of Catholicism. Those works include The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and The Confessions. The latter is arguably the most influential. It is part Christian philosophy, part memoir. In fact, many consider it the first memoir ever written. It describes Saint Augustine’s sinful youth and his inevitable embrace of Christianity. Yet its most lasting impact is probably as a philosophical text. The work broaches issues of nature and the soul in ways that numerous major philosophers have cited as significant.

This collector’s edition is in very good condition. In the original red leather, elaborately gilt stamped, near-fine with only rubbing to bottom edge. Raised bands. Gilt spine label. Text block very good. Gilt edges with some bumping and rubbing. Silk moire endpapers and bookmark sewn in. Publisher’s bookplate blank and pasted to front pastedown.

A very good collector’s copy of The Confessions of Saint Augustine.