Augustine is the most influential thinker in Western Christianity, and City of God is arguably his greatest work. However, its length and complexity make its argument difficult to follow, even for specialists. This one-stop resource offers introductory essays, essential selections from City of God , and critical commentary on the text, enabling readers to study Augustine for themselves. It makes Augustine's thought accessible, explains his ideas clearly, and prompts further reading. Constructed and composed with the classroom in mind, this volume introduces Augustine's text by abridging and explaining the primary source material. These selections focus on Augustine's social and political thought while indicating the larger contours of his work. This book retrieves ancient wisdom for the modern world, presenting an enduring vision for faithfulness and hope in times of social instability.