Essential Letters

The four volumes of Augustine's complete letter corpus, expertly translated by Ronald Teske, SJ, represent a treasure trove of insights into the mind and heart of the Bishop of Hippo. Now, this one-volume compilation brings to the forefront the most essential of Augustine's correspondence. The Essential Letters volume in the series of Augustine's complete works features a rich selection from the Bishop of Hippo's extensive surviving correspondence. Following an informative introductory chapter by Augustine scholar Przemyslaw Nehring, the letters are then arranged in categories that focus on Augustine in his different roles, for example, as philosopher, theologian, exegete, and monastic founder. These writings display Augustine’s wide-ranging concerns with a similarly wide range of correspondents and often provide a glimpse of his character that cannot be obtained in his other writings, not even in The Confessions.

Augustine of Hippo is one of the greatest thinkers and writers in the Western world. After he became Christian he was made bishop of Hippo in Africa where he was influential in civil and church affairs. With more than 100 books, 200 letters and 500 sermons, he has left a lasting impact on Western philosophy and culture. His classic and best-selling works include The Confessions, The Trinity, The City of God, and Teaching Christianity.