For Augustine’s The City of God, the Penguin Classics paperback translated by Henry Bettenson is a clear starting point if you want a named modern translation. The Marcus Dods paperback is another edition of Augustine’s work. The list also includes two different books called Mystical City of God and Paulo Lins’s novel, so check the author before buying. None of the listed titles is identified as a standalone Book 1 edition.
| Book | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| City of God (Penguin Classics) | Readers seeking the Bettenson translation | Paperback; not labeled Book 1 only |
| The City of God | Readers seeking the Dods translation | Paperback; not labeled Book 1 only |
| Mystical City of God abridgement | Readers interested in Mary of Agreda | Different author and subject |
| Mystical City of God: Volume I-IV | Readers seeking the four-volume work | Not Augustine’s book |
| City of God: A Novel | Readers seeking Paulo Lins’s fiction | Not Augustine’s book |
City Of God (Penguin Classics)
This paperback edition names Augustine of Hippo as author and Henry Bettenson as translator. It is best for readers who want to identify the translation before choosing a copy, or who are comparing Augustine editions for a class or personal reading.
Why it was selected: It is a direct match for Augustine’s The City of God, the work most likely meant by a search for “City of God Book 1.” Use the title and translator details to distinguish it from similarly named books.
Limitation: The listing identifies the book as City of God, not as a separate Book 1 volume. Check the edition’s contents if you need only the first book or a particular pagination.
The City Of God By Augustine
This paperback lists St. Augustine as author and Marcus Dods as translator. It is best for readers who specifically want to read Dods’s translation or compare a different English rendering with Bettenson’s edition.
Why it was selected: It is another direct edition of Augustine’s work and gives buyers a distinct translator to consider. Translation choice can matter when comparing wording, tone, and how a passage reads.
Limitation: The listing does not identify this as a Book 1-only edition. If your assignment requires a specific translation or page range, confirm those details with the edition you plan to use.
The Mystical City Of God Abridgement
This paperback is by Mary of Agreda, translated by Fiscar Marison. Its full title describes it as a popular abridgement of a divine history and life of the Virgin Mary. It is best for readers looking for that religious work, rather than Augustine’s book.
Why it was selected: Its similar title can lead to confusion in searches for The City of God. The author and subtitle help establish which book it is.
Limitation: It is not Augustine’s The City of God and will not provide Book 1 of Augustine’s work. Avoid this option if Augustine is the author you need.
Mystical City Of God: Volume I-IV
This hardcover is attributed to Mary of Agreda and is titled Mystical City of God: Volume I-IV. It is best for readers looking for the multi-volume work associated with that title, rather than an edition of Augustine.
Why it was selected: The “City of God” wording can make it appear relevant to searches for Augustine, while the full title and author show that it is a separate work.
Limitation: This is not Book 1 of Augustine’s work. Choose it only if Mary of Agreda’s Mystical City of God is what you intend to read.
City Of God: A Novel
This paperback is a novel by Paulo Lins, translated by Alison Entrekin. It is best for readers searching for Lins’s fiction, not for Augustine’s theological and philosophical work.
Why it was selected: It shares the phrase “City of God” in its title, making author and subtitle important checks when shopping.
Limitation: It is a novel and is not an edition of Augustine’s The City of God. Avoid it if you need the ancient work or its first book.
Buying Guide
How do you identify Augustine’s Book 1?
Start with the author’s name: Augustine of Hippo or St. Augustine. Then check the complete title and the translator. The listed Augustine editions are presented as City of God or The City of God, not as standalone Book 1 volumes. If you need only Book 1, verify the table of contents, printing, and page references before ordering.
Which translation should you choose?
The Penguin Classics edition names Henry Bettenson, while the other Augustine paperback names Marcus Dods. Choose based on a course requirement, a preferred translation, or the edition your study group uses. If no translation is specified, compare available sample pages or consult your instructor before settling on one.
How can you avoid buying the wrong book?
Check the author and subtitle, not just the words “City of God.” Mary of Agreda’s Mystical City of God is a different religious work, while Paulo Lins’s City of God: A Novel is fiction. For Augustine, make sure the listing names Augustine and identifies the title as The City of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Book 1 of Augustine’s work available in these listings?
None of the five listings is described as a standalone Book 1 edition. Two are editions of Augustine’s full work; check their contents if you need a specific section.
Are the Penguin Classics and Dods books by the same author?
Yes. Both listings identify Augustine as the author, but they name different translators: Henry Bettenson and Marcus Dods.
Is Mystical City of God written by Augustine?
No. The listed abridgement and four-volume hardcover are attributed to Mary of Agreda.
Is Paulo Lins’s City of God a translation of Augustine?
No. It is identified as a novel by Paulo Lins, translated by Alison Entrekin.