Well written book, well in Formed of the subject, did not believe 80% of the philosophy of the subject,.

Disappointing from Chadwick, who is otherwise a pretty renowned scholar of early Christian literature. This book is far too dense and it’s scope is not sufficiently contained for a VSI. Can’t recommend as intro to Augustine.

If not for two points, granted to me big points, I could be an Augustinian. The first being original sin. Austine said that Jesus was with out original sin by virtue of virgin birth. This I thing fuels if not causes the over-emphases on sexual sin beyond other physical sins. The idea an infant is born in sin and dieing prior to baptism condemned to hell is unimaginable to me.
The second is predestination. The Elect. The opposite and unavoidable fact, if you accept this is that God creates some simply so he can burn them in hell.
His social beliefs and policies are very commendable and ahead of his time.

Based on lectures Chadwick gave in Toronto and Oxford, this is a short book that introduces readers to major themes in Augustine of Hippo's thought. As a broad survey, it is very clearly written and easy to understand. Chadwick is a master of early Christian studies and knows Augustine very well, and it is obvious when you read this book. If someone has read a biography of Augustine (Chadwick's would be a good place to start), this would make for a great second step to get at his theology and philosophy. Chadwick focuses on topics like Augustine and the life of the mind, the freedom of the will (he addresses it again with Pelagianism), the Confessions, Christian unity (per Donatism), creation and Trinity (per Manichaeism), etc. Chadwick also pays much attention to the role that Neoplatonism played in Augustine's overall thought.
I'd highly recommend reading this.

Before I critique this middle-of-the-road short introduction, I intend to make a few broad criticisms of Oxford University Press’s “Very Short Introduction” series. First and foremost, can someone please explain why Oxford University Press publishes each book in this series in a sans-serif font that is difficult to read? I see absolutely no reason for this and, quite frankly, expect a better aesthetic sense from the publishers at Oxford. Second, while I appreciate the attempt to make these little books easily transportable, I do not understand their extraordinarily slender margins. I am convinced that readers would be amenable to books ten or twenty pages longer if it meant that they had adequate room to scribble notes in more sizeable margins. Finally, the short introductions I’ve encountered are difficult to read because of needlessly verbose prose in an ostensible attempt to fit in as much content as possible. While academics influential in their respective fields write these books, they seem unable to translate their profound familiarity with their subjects into truly introductory essays. As such, while each volume in Oxford’s series covers complex topics with laudatory breath, those I have read fail to do so in sufficient depth. Augustine: A Very Short Introduction has confirmed these criticisms.

Henry Chadwick, author of this short volume on Augustine, was one of the foremost scholars on patristic theology and one of the Anglican Church’s most impressive representatives. My criticisms here—from the pen of an amateur historian and student of philosophy—by no means detract from his remarkable body of work. Nevertheless, Chadwick’s introduction on Augustine falls short on numerous accounts. First and foremost, Chadwick limits himself to introducing Augustine’s thought and not the details of his life and times. “This book cannot be about [his psychology and personality],” he writes, “but concerns the making of his mind” (1). Fair enough, but this means that Chadwick spends considerable portions of his book slogging through dense theological discussion in a disturbingly short amount of space. The reader unfamiliar with Augustine’s life—let alone the sociopolitical context of Late Antiquity—will find herself constantly looking back over Chadwick’s brief references to momentous occasions in Augustine’s career as a professor of rhetoric, secluded philosopher, Catholic priest, and then influential bishop. Second, just when it seems Chadwick means to focus in on a particular tract of Augustine, like De vera religione, De Trinitate, or his Confessions, he proceeds to skip about Augustine’s entire body of work like only a lifelong student of patristic theology can, leaving the reader terribly confused in his wake. Only City of God receives the kind of systematic treatment that adequately familiarizes the reader with the core tenets of the book. Finally, Chadwick spends far more time reviewing Augustine’s conclusions on predestination, the Trinity, metaphysics, and human nature than on his equally influential ethics and political philosophy. Chadwick discusses the more practical aspects of Augustine’s theology in more or less one chapter, titled “Unity and division.”

Despite these criticisms, I nevertheless maintain that Chadwick’s introduction is mostly helpful. His explanation of the Donatist controversy is enlightening and his commentary on Augustine’s rhetorically minded approach to the conflict is insightful. Chadwick also goes to great lengths—quite appropriately, I might add—to outline the major influence Cicero, Porphyry, Plotinus, and Mani had on Augustine’s thought throughout the course of his life. All in all, Chadwick’s overview is useful for those merely hoping to taste the origin and implications of Augustine’s most profound ideas. For those hoping to digest them further, there is simply no substitute for reading Augustine himself. No one, I’m afraid, can quite rival the comprehensiveness and eloquence of Confessions.

Decent introduction to the overview of Augustine's work and especially his influences. A bit biased on a few points of discussion, but it wasn't glaring. I would say it's better for people who have read at least a little of Augustine, particularly his Confession. Also assumes at least a moderate understanding of philosophy.

Packs more of value into these 100 or so pages than most other biographies acheive in four times that number. Anyone wanting a quick summary of Augustine's teaching and influence, go no further.

Loved it.

كتاب يشدك في كل صفحة إلى سيرة القديس أوغسطين ..

يمثل هذا الرجل حلقة مهمة من الحلقات التاريخية والمهمة في الأديان الابراهيمية جميعًا وليس في المسيحية وحسب.

فهو كان من أوائل الأشخاص الذين أدركوا اهمية الاشتباك مع الفلسفة اليونانية وحاولوا أن يقاربوا بين النتاج الفلسفي اليوناني بمشاربه الأفلاطونية والأرسطية مع الإيمان الديني .

فضلًا عن ذلك كانت سيرة هذا الرجل تمثل سيرة النقاء في أبهى صورها .. لا أتحدث عن ذلك النقاء المزيف والتبتل المصطنع .. بل عن قديس لم يرد أن يكون قديسًا .

I would suggest just reading the confessions or city of God.

Served it’s purpose.

To understand modern origins of doctrine. To appreciate the influence of a single philosopher on Christendom. To trace the course of Greek philosophy into Christendom.
Needed a dictionary to understand many sentences. Not my academic subject, so somewhat unfamiliar with the jargon.
Would order and read again.

This very brief book, with its mere 100 pages, has summarized St. Augustine's life and work, as well as the world of ideas around his time. It is an excellent reference book to accompany St. Augustine's "Confessions", and other major works such as "City of God".

Author Henry Chadwick is a well-known translator of Augustine's Confession, in addition to his known standing as a scholar on early Christian tradition. His summary in this book is succinct and lucid; a must re-read.

Great synopsis

This book offered a historically conscious view of Augustine which was nourished by a theologically and philosophically rich diet. All in all, a well rounded treatment of various topics of which Augustine was truly a master.