Austin Hall Library

One Book

One book that changed my life: The Intellectual Life: It’s Spirit, Conditions, Methods by A.G. Sertillanges (the book that triggered my intellectual conversion)
One book that I’ve read more than once: Confessions by St. Augustine (the book that broke my heart, and does it again each time I re-read it)
One book I’d want on a desert island: Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas (the book that holds the greatest promise of one day educating me—one book, multiple volumes!)
One book that made me laugh: Southern by the Grace of God by Michael Andrew Grissom (a refreshing look at a much misunderstood way of life)

One book that made me cry: The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (exquisite prose in defense of suffering)
One book that I wish had been written: Mastering Latin in Ten Minutes a Week (because I lack sufficient discipline and time to master Latin)
One book that I wish had never been written: The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels (no longer satisfied with the authentic Gospels, Pagels fawns over the false ones)

One book that I’m currently reading: The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene (a compelling chronicle of the inner turmoil and moral and emotional breakdown of a human being)

One book I’ve been meaning to read: In the House of Brede by Rumer Godden (humanity and holiness in an English cloistered Benedictine monastery—awaiting my read during Lent)

Intermediate Level Augustine of Hippo

For those getting more serious about St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo: Life and Controversies by Gerald Bonner (A very good one-volume study of Augustine's theology that concentrates on his powerful influence in three critical controversies with the Manichees, the Donatists, and the Pelagians. Bonner devotes two chapters to each controversy, one on the historical context, and one on the theological content.) Augustine: Christian Truth and Fractured Humanity by Carol Harrison (This book does not appear on the list of favorites of most Augustinian scholars, but I am not an Augustinian scholar and I found this short but packed volume to be highly instructive. It is quite helpful in outlining the major threads in Augustine's thought and observing them in the context of his life and times. Harrison's work is also notable in that it manifests a good grasp on the large body of secondary literature on Augustine, and it reflects an understanding of the development of Augustine's thought--even to the point of identifying dates in the development of his thought. It is one of the very few secondary sources that ties (correctly, I believe) Augustine's shift in thought and emphasis of sin and grace to his study of St. Paul's epistles, particularly the Book of Romans.) On Christian Teaching by St. Augustine (The De Doctrina Christiana is one of Augustine's most important works on the classical tradition. In his very first article of the Summa, St. Thomas Aquinas presented his own undertaking as an attempt to promote the sacred learning advocated and defined by St. Augustine in his De Doctrina Christiana. Undertaken at the same time as Confessions, it essentially outlines Augustine's approach to hermeneutics (the science of biblical interpretation).) On Free Choice of the Will by St. Augustine (This is a seminal work on free choice and the will. It contains an insightful treatment on the problem of evil and provides much deep and fruitful thought for serious thinkers.) The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love by St. Augustine (Augustine wrote the Enchiridion (Greek for "handbook") as a response to a friend who wanted a handbook of Christian teaching. While not as moving or as engaging as Confessions, it is important because it succinctly covers important topics such as baptism, original sin, abortion, faith and works, election, and the grace of God. The Enchiridion has served as a catechism throughout the history of the Church from which other catechisms have drawn. In fact, the most recent Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes Augustine extensively.) Augustine and the Catechumenate by William Harmless (Perhaps Augustine's least known role is that of a catechist (one who helps with the Christian formation of others). This book outlines his work as a teacher of candidates for baptism and takes a look at how Augustine approached each stage of preparation: evangelization, catechumenate, candidate for baptism, and post-baptismal catechesis. This work is important for exposing a little known, and often overlooked, side of this important figure of Western civilization. Augustine, by the way, was catechized by St. Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan.)

Entry Level Augustine of Hippo

In June I posted three separate reading lists for those interested in the study of St. Thomas Aquinas. This entry is the first for those interested in undertaking a study of the most influential figure in Western culture--St. Augustine of Hippo.

Preparatory Recommendations for the Study of Augustine:

Augustine of Hippo: A Biography (New Edition, with an Epilogue) by Peter Brown (This is the best biography of Augustine and a good place to start the Augustinian educational process. This new edition has an epilogue on the newly discovered sermons and letters). The Young Augustine: The Growth of St. Augustine's Mind Up to His Conversion by John J. O'Meara (A classic, originally published in 1956, and now back in print). Augustine: A Very Short Introduction by Henry Chadwick (A compact (144 pages) and very helpful volume that discusses Augustine's views of free choice, vocation, creation, and other serious questions). Augustine: Major Writings by Fr. Benedict Groeschel (This is an exceptional little introduction to St. Augustine and somewhat of a tutorial with its own reading program included. It is also an excellent introduction to Confessions). Confessions by St. Augustine (One of the masterpieces of Western literature. Augustine's deeply moving meditation on his life and conversion (Books 1-9), on his interior life at the time of his writing (Book 10), and on the opening verses of the Book of Genesis (Books 11-13). Henry Chadwick's translation is considered by many as the best translation to date. R.S. Pine-Coffin's translation is my personal favorite for its elegant British style).

Library Categories

I was asked recently to mention the various categories or subject areas of my current library. The categories have changed only a little through the years, typically as the result of a different emphasis for a period of time. While I continue to purchase and read books on a variety of subject matters, I remain pretty well tied to my long-standing purchase plan.

The main categories of my library are as follows: biography/autobiography (from St. Augustine to Thomas Jefferson, to Winston Churchill, to Friedrich Nietzsche), literature (a broad category that covers fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose), the classics (books on the Greek and Latin languages, as well as classical culture), philosophy (from antiquity to the modern period, with the largest collections in antiquity, the Middle Ages--particularly the works of St. Thomas Aquinas--and the natural law), theology (chiefly Catholic theology and moral theology, but with a smattering of the greatest Protestant works), history (another very broad category with divisions for the writings of the Church Fathers, ancient history, the Middle Ages, and the history of England and the Anglican Church), and law (this collection ranges from sources on the Western legal tradition, to English and American constitutional law, to texts on specific legal subjects).

Among the categories mentioned above, I have several small but good collections on subjects like the War Between the States, the Crusades, influential books on military strategy (Chinese, Japanese and German), et al. I also have a very fine collection on the writings of, and about, St. Augustine of Hippo. Then there is a small collection of miscellaneous books that I have kept through the years--on business, art, and architecture--perhaps others I cannot now recall from memory.

On the Nightstand

Extensive time in airports recently helped me catch up a bit, but I remain well behind in serious reading. Nonetheless, I have managed to start several new books of interest. While strolling through a bookstore in Houston, Texas, I could not pass up Kenneth R. Craycraft's The American Myth of Religious Freedom, where the author argues that "there is no such thing as religious freedom. The reason that such an assertion sounds so shocking to us is that we have been so completely formed by the American myth." While I am quite unpersuaded so far of the author's central thesis, he is clearly a thoughtful and serious writer who deserves a careful reading. On the same bookstore stroll, I looked for a historical read and picked up Islam at the Gates: How Christianity Defeated the Ottoman Turks by Diane Moczar. I picked this book because it focuses on the Ottoman Empire during the critical thirteenth through seventeenth centuries. Written from a solidly Catholic perspective, the author does a good job of debunking the modern perception that Islamic radicalism is a relatively new and limited phenomenon. I have been developing for some time a small but excellent section of my library on the subject of asceticism. And, in that subject area, I am greatly enjoying, in a penitential sort of way, Lorenzo Scupoli's sixteenth century masterpiece, Spiritual Combat: How to Win Your Spiritual Battles and Attain Peace. Although the title may appear somewhat so, this is definitely not a self help book in any modern sense. It is the book that most powerfully contributed to the spiritual formation of St. Francis de Sales and John Henry Cardinal Newman, neither of whom were intellectual or spiritual lightweights. St. Francis carried a pocket copy of the book with him at all times and read it through in its entirety once a month. The simple style of the book belies its profound depth and practical value. Jonathan Robinson's, Spiritual Combat Revisited, is an excellent modern companion to Scupoli's work, to be read as an immediate follow-up, or a kind of handbook to Scupoli.

Books to Read Before You Die

Life is short and easily wasted. Reading books won't change that, but reading and reflecting on good books can help prevent a wasted life. The following brief list of books to read before one dies is rather eclectic, and not necessarily the best books that could be read on any given topic. But, each recommendation is interesting and worth some consideration.

The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell (because prose lovers need intellectual stimulation too, and it's one the the greatest biographies ever written)  

The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor (because life is filled with disturbing realities and no one makes that clearer that O'Connor, and because this might be the greatest collection of short stories ever written)

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (because a person needs a touch of humor after Flannery O'Connor, and because this book is great comedy, filled with offbeat characters, and a truly original novel)

Confessions by St. Augustine (because one needs to reflect on one's life despite the myriad temptations to avoid it)

Guide for the Perplexed by E.F. Schumacher (because we all need a map for living and a manual for survival in an unreasoning world)

Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper (because man's inherited disposition is killing him, and this book will help if he pays attention)

The Evidential Power of Beauty: Science and Theology Meet by Thomas Dubay (because those who want to understand beauty, and haven't yet suppressed their ability to recognize it, need a place to start)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (because all mankind wants to see what a truly human and morally upright lawyer would look like--even if he is fictional)

The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (because there is suffering in the world and it must not be just endured)

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri (because this is epic poetry and it will make one want to avoid hell)

The Rule and Exercises of Holy Dying by Jeremy Taylor (because, while hell can be avoided, dying cannot be, and this book will help one die well)

Advanced Level St. Thomas Aquinas

Some important suggestions for those who are ready to read St. Thomas:

Summa Theologica (This is the masterwork of perhaps the greatest mind the Western world ever produced. The excellence of thought and clarity of expression alone are reasons to read and reread this incredible text. This particular five-volume set is a fine translation by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province and Amazon has the hardback version on for a great price.). On Being and Essence (A dense and very significant set of complex arguments concerning the nature of essence, being, and existence. It is actually available in an online version here.). On Human Nature (An important study on the nature and essence of the soul. On a related topic, the fundamental but complicated On the Principles of Nature is available online here.). On the Virtues (Aquinas' treatment on the question of how the concept of virtue fits into ethics as a whole.). On Evil (A neglected treatment by Aquinas on the nature of the bad. His metaphysics of the bad (in short, a privation) was very helpful to me in understanding the nature of evil. This may be the Angelic Doctor's finest work of moral philosophy.). Commentary on Aristotle's Metaphysics (A detailed commentary on Aristotle's actual work.). Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (A must read for understanding Aquinas' take on Aristotle and how Aristotle impacted his thought. The Dumb Ox series of these commentaries, by the way, are very good.). Summa Contra Gentiles (An important theological synthesis on most of the critical theological questions. This is the first volume of a five-volume series available in paperback.).  

Intermediate Level St. Thomas Aquinas

For Those Getting More Serious About St. Thomas

The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle by Jonathan Barnes (A very important resource for those finding it necessary to better understand Aristotle--without working through all his writings). Medieval Philosophy by Armand Maurer (An excellent historical survey of this important philosophical period and its major philosophers--helps with context). Reality: A Synthesis of Thomistic Thought by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (A great summary of the philosophical and theological thought of St. Thomas by my favorite theologian of the modern period. I read everything I can get my hands on by this author. This book presupposes some knowledge of philosophy and Catholic theology. It is recently back in print and available on the web). The Silence of St. Thomas: Three Essays by Josef Pieper (A short and superb work on the nature of things in St. Thomas). The Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas by Etienne Gilson (Quite simply, this book is a contender for the best intermediate introduction to St. Thomas ever written--outstanding). The One and the Many: A Contemporary Thomistic Metaphysics by W. Norris Clarke (The other contender for the best intermediate introduction to Thomistic thought ever written). The Metaphysical Thought of Thomas Aquinas: From Finite Being to Uncreated Being by John F. Wippel (As an intermediate/advanced reference resource on Thomistic metaphysics, this book has it all, but not for the beginner--read Clarke's text first). A Shorter Summa: The Essential Philosophical Passages of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica by Peter Kreeft (Selections of key passages from Thomas' Summa, with annotations by a modern philosopher with a gift for making Aquinas accessible. Don't miss this book). Aquinas's Shorter Summa: Saint Thomas's Own Concise Version of His Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas (A concise summary of Thomas' masterwork in his own words).

Entry Level St. Thomas Aquinas

For those interested in a greater familiarity with the Angelic Doctor and his works, but who may have a limited background in philosophy and/or theology, the list below may provide a good basic introduction. The recommendations are taken from a longer list I occasionally recommend for studying the works of Aquinas.

Preparatory Recommendations for the Study of St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox by G.K. Chesterton (Etienne Gilson, the great Aquinas scholar, said "I consider it as being without possible comparison the best book ever written on St. Thomas. Nothing short of genius can account for such an achievement...."). Aristotle for Everybody by Mortimer Adler (Perhaps the very best introduction to Aristotle and his thought available in English. Important as a foundation to St. Thomas.). Aquinas 101: A Basic Introduction to the Thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas by Francis Selman (A simple and accurate summation of Aquinas' thought). Introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas by Anton C. Pegis (Good introduction that provides context for St. Thomas' work). A First Glance at St. Thomas Aquinas: A Handbook for Peeping Thomists by Ralph McInerny (A great, short, and easy to read introduction that might be a little hard to find before long). Aquinas by Frederick Charles Copleston (One of my favorites by perhaps the top Jesuit philosopher of the 20th century. Available on the secondary market).   

The City of God is Not a Place

Perhaps the first major intellectual achievement of Latin Christianity, St. Augustine's City of God is a Western classic for all ages. Often listed among the classic Western texts on politics or political philosophy, such a designation somewhat misses the point of the monumental work. The title of the book was taken from Psalm 87:3 "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God," and St. Augustine's primary purpose was to show the radical nature of the basic antithesis between two opposing forces under the figure of two cities.

 

The "City of God" (civitas Dei) is one force and, in principle, is committed to the love of God and the fulfillment of His will. The "City of Man" (civitas homini) is the other force and, in principle, is committed to the love of self and the fulfillment of the autonomous human will.  Augustine developed his view of the antithesis from Scripture and specifically sets forth the origin of the opposition in his Commentary on Genesis (AD 394), quoting Genesis 3:15: "I will put enmity between you [Satan] and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel." He later names the two cities allegorically, Jerusalem and Babylon, in his treatise On Catechising the Uninstructed (AD 400).  "Jerusalem" signifies the communion of saints and exists of all the Christians who have ever been and shall be. "Babylon" signifies the communion of those who do not embrace the Christian faith. These two cities, and their consequent worldviews, are found in the human race from its beginning, mutually intermingling until the final judgment.

 

The two cities cannot be found in concrete things and are actually metaphysical entities; which is to say that they have a spiritual existence. They are actually spiritual forces in opposition, and the human beings representing those spiritual forces hold opposing worldviews. Their fundamental beliefs about reality and the world are antithetical, pursuant to the judicial decree of Providence. 

 

The City of God is divided into twenty-two chapters (called “books”), the first ten of which form a defense of Christianity against the charge that Christians were ultimately responsible for the sacking of Rome by the Goths in AD 410, while the remaining twelve chapters, which detail the origin (11-14), historical course (15-18), and ends (19-22) of the City of God and City of Man were added later. One of the better translations of the work is Henry Bettenson's Penguin Classic paperback. In the late 90s, however, I picked up a copy of an excellent new English translation by R.W. Dyson, titled Augustine: The City of God Against the Pagans. It is a very readable translation with a concise introduction, full biographical notes, and a bibliography and chronology of St. Augustine's life.

 

It is likely, based on excerpts from St. Augustine's letters, that he used the occasion of the fall of Rome to articulate and bring to fruition ideas on which he had long reflected. The fall of Rome was the catalyst, but not the inspiration for the ideas found in City of God.