Lively narrative and colorful anecdotes are interspersed with passages of great poetry in praise of God. In the process of describing his own very human failings, Augustine also gives advice on how to live a committed Christian life. His view that happiness is not to be found in transitory physical pleasure, but in searching for the truth beyond the material world, is more than ever relevant today.
Saint Augustine (354–430) was a theologian, philosopher, and the bishop of Hippo, in present-day Algeria. His writings influenced the development of Western philosophy and Christianity. He is a Doctor of the Church.