St. Augustine and Monica, Ary Scheffer [1846] (Public Domain Image)

The Confessions of Saint Augustine tr. by Edward Bouverie Pusey [1909-14]

Written between 397 and 398 CE, the Confessions of St. Augustine describes the author's spiritual journey to Christianity. It is the first Western autobiography, and has influenced Christian writers throughout the Middle Ages. Augustine tells of his youthful sexual improprieties, and tells why he rejected Manichaenism and Astrology, leading to his conversion to Christianity at age 32. The book also includes some important theological discussions, particularly the later chapters.