Garry Wills is an exceptionally gifted translator and one of our best writers on religion today. His bestselling translations of individual chapters of Saint Augustine’s Confessions have received widespread and glowing reviews. Now for the first time; Wills’s translation of the entire work is being published as a Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Removed by time and place but not by spiritual relevance; Augustine’s Confessions continues to influence contemporary religion; language; and thought. Reading with fresh; keen eyes; Wills brings his superb gifts of analysis and insight to this ambitious translation of the entire book.For more than seventy years; Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1;700 titles; Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors; as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
#71086 in Books 2006-02-28 2006-02-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.80 x 1.30 x 5.10l; 1.00 #File Name: 0143039385640 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. One of the best books you'll ever readBy Nora HagueThere is absolutely no book like this in the annals of exploration/survival literature--and few books that approach it in any other genre. Apsley Cherry-Garrard was part of Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated quest for the South Pole; but his book is no catalogue of derring-do and manly exploits. It is instead a memoir of suffering; exhiliration; and disaster; told with lyrical depth and near-heartrending honesty. Never does Cherry-Garrard descend into self-pity; instead he writes with a vividness that brings his ordeal--and the beauty that he nonetheless bore witness to--alive almost between the lines. This is the work of a poet; a classical writer and thinker; as well as an explorer. It is a testament not only to the circumstances Cherry-Garrard survived; but to the framework of British culture that surrounded them. It is a literary masterpiece; one of my all-time favorite books; and deserving of a place on any shelf devoted to serious literature.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Great Travel MemoirBy J. G. LewisThis is the memorable recounting of Robert Falcon Scott's 1910 Journey to the South Pole; in an attempt; among other matters; to be the first men to reach it. Apsley Cherry-Garrard's journal is studious and long; and takes about 100 pages to get fully going and engaged; yet once this happens; it is gripping reading all the way to the final sentences. In it Cherry provides interesting portrayals of the people and events; occasional anecdotes; along with at times whimsical; and at other times philosophical; commentary. His observations and analysis are superb. This leads to his epilogue; and the conclusions he drew from the experience; which are very well placed and outstanding; and so much so that they offer suggestions and thought even for our own time. So then; this is fine adventure reading; as well as advancing to societal critique. Superb reading; not to be missed.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Superb.By SussexPossibly the best book on Polar Exploration ever produced; Apsely Cherry-Garrard's classic was written primarily with the work of future explorers in mind. As such it is a very detailed and honest account of the operations side of the Terra Nova Expedition. This edition contains all the illustrations of the two volume original; and whilst the quality could be better; this seems to be the best modern rendering available. For better illustrations I highly recommend "Edward Wilson's Antarctic Notebooks" (I have the 2011 Reardon edition).Cherry-Gararrd's account only skims over the expedition's initial finance; selection and organisation which obviously had a direct bearing upon the outcome. It would also be nice if a future edition could provide a short follow-up on the subsequent fates of the major characters apart from the Polar Party.As for comments on style; pace and keeping bad readers interested. If you want a Wikipedia summary or a Hollywood movie then don't look here. If you have the patience to hear the real story from a genuine hero then your effort will be well rewarded. The details are there for a reason; by the end I felt that I had been there in some tiny insignificant way as well and lost some good friends. Sensationalist revisions by lesser men can follow afterwards; if you so wish.
