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Dear seekers of wisdom and literary pilgrims,

As I settled into my favorite armchair with a cup of jasmine tea – the same one I’d brewed while preparing lectures on medieval literature at Harvard – Darren L. Slider’s measured tones began unfolding Augustine’s monumental “City of God”. This LibriVox recording offers contemporary listeners a rare opportunity to engage with one of Western civilization’s foundational texts in audio form, and the experience brought back vivid memories of my first encounter with Augustine’s work during graduate studies at Berkeley.

The audiobook’s 1.69-hour duration (representing a well-curated abridgment) captures the essence of Augustine’s 22-book defense of Christianity following Rome’s sack in 410 AD. Slider’s narration carries the weight of centuries, his baritone voice adopting the cadence of a patient scholar explaining complex theology. I found myself recalling that Tokyo seminar room where we debated how ancient texts translate across media – Augustine’s Latin rhetoric gains surprising accessibility through Slider’s careful phrasing and strategic pauses.

Augustine’s central dichotomy between the heavenly and earthly cities resonates profoundly in our era of social fragmentation. His concept of the “civitas Dei” versus “civitas terrena” – which I often compare to Murakami’s parallel worlds in my comparative literature courses – emerges clearly in Slider’s performance. The narrator particularly shines in Book XIX’s examination of true peace, his voice softening during Augustine’s meditation on heavenly rest like a professor emphasizing crucial thesis points.

From my perspective as both literature scholar and digital humanities practitioner, this audiobook succeeds in three key areas:

1. “Historical Contextualization”: Slider’s delivery helps modern listeners grasp Augustine’s response to pagan accusations that Christianity weakened Rome. His emphasis on phrases like ‘blaspheme the true God’ recreates the theological urgency of the 5th century.

2. “Philosophical Clarity”: Complex concepts like original sin and divine providence benefit from oral presentation. The narration illuminates Augustine’s theodicy arguments better than some print editions I’ve taught from.

3. “Rhetorical Power”: Augustine’s Ciceronian training emerges through Slider’s attention to rhythmic structures, particularly in the famous passages contrasting earthly and heavenly loves.

The recording does have limitations. Some sections of theological debate (particularly in Books VI-X) might challenge listeners unfamiliar with late antique philosophy. I occasionally paused to consult my well-worn print edition during intricate arguments about pagan virtues. The audio quality, while serviceable, lacks the polish of commercial studio productions – though this is understandable given LibriVox’s volunteer-driven model.

Compared to other philosophical audiobooks I’ve reviewed – from Boethius’ “Consolation” to contemporary works like Sandel’s “Justice” – this rendition holds its own through intellectual faithfulness. It particularly surpasses drier academic recordings by maintaining a contemplative yet engaged tone perfect for Augustine’s blend of theology and pastoral concern.

For first-time Augustine readers, I’d suggest pairing this audiobook with Peter Brown’s biography. For seasoned scholars, Slider’s performance offers fresh insights into Augustine’s rhetorical strategies – I caught new nuances in his anti-Pelagian arguments that had escaped me in silent reading.

As the autumn light filtered through my office window during the final chapters, I reflected on how Augustine’s vision of two cities intertwined with my own cross-cultural experiences. Just as my Tokyo students found surprising relevance in Augustine’s critique of Roman spectacle culture, modern listeners will discover profound resonances with contemporary debates about social belonging and transcendent meaning.

In scholarly solidarity and shared literary wonder,
Prof. Emily Chen