Ryan N. S. Topping is Fellow at Thomas More College of the Liberal Arts, New Hampshire, USA.

Ryan Topping's book on Augustine is an essential addition to a series on great educational thinkers. He shows convincingly how Augustine defends a Christian liberal education, a unique synthesis of pagan rhetorical techniques and Christian spirituality, whose Christian character is seen in its valuing of truth, its emphasis on love, and its cheerfulness. Topping's analysis of Augustine's influence is realistic, identifying limitations as well as strengths in his educational philosophy. This realism strengthens the application of Augustinian ideas to contemporary debates about the university.

• Series Editor's Preface Foreword Acknowledgments Abbreviations Part I. Intellectual Biography 1. Approaching Augustine Part II. Critical Exposition 2. The Aims of Education 3. The Art of the Teacher 4. The Matter of Liberal Education 5. The Limits to Education Part III. Philosophical Reception and Relevance 6. Augustine and Some Philosophers of Education 7. St. Augustine and The Defense of Liberal Education Select Bibliography Index

Ryan N. S. Topping is Fellow at Thomas More College of the Liberal Arts, New Hampshire, USA.

Ryan Topping's book on Augustine is an essential addition to a series on great educational thinkers. He shows convincingly how Augustine defends a Christian liberal education, a unique synthesis of pagan rhetorical techniques and Christian spirituality, whose Christian character is seen in its valuing of truth, its emphasis on love, and its cheerfulness. Topping's analysis of Augustine's influence is realistic, identifying limitations as well as strengths in his educational philosophy. This realism strengthens the application of Augustinian ideas to contemporary debates about the university.

• Series Editor's Preface Foreword Acknowledgments Abbreviations Part I. Intellectual Biography 1. Approaching Augustine Part II. Critical Exposition 2. The Aims of Education 3. The Art of the Teacher 4. The Matter of Liberal Education 5. The Limits to Education Part III. Philosophical Reception and Relevance 6. Augustine and Some Philosophers of Education 7. St. Augustine and The Defense of Liberal Education Select Bibliography Index