Augustine's Political Thought, edited by Richard Dougherty, is a comprehensive and engaging volume that places the bishop of Hippo in dialogue with his philosophical sources and helps to contextualize his political thought.

The first part on politics, nature, and virtue opens with Richard Dougherty examining the tension between the pagan and Augustinian Christian concept of the moral life. Michael Foley explores the political ramifications of the Cassiacum dialogues, and Peter Busch examines the influence of Augustine on Dante and Giles and their divergence from book 19 of City of God. Ashleen Menchaca-Bagnulo reflects upon the relationship between latreia and politics in book 10, and Adam Thomas explores the Augustinian view of justice in his Confessions in Thirteen Books.

The second part focuses on Augustine and ancient political philosophy. Here Thomas Harmon contrasts the arguments of Augustine and Porphyry on the universal way of salvation and asserts the “transpolitical” nature of Christianity. Douglas Kries examines the influence of Plato's Republic on the understanding of art and politics in Augustine's Confessions. Ryan Balot responds to the charge that Augustine contributed to the rise of esotericism by examining Augustine's conception and demand for truth. Veronica Roberts Ogle explores the rhetorical context of City of God as addressed to the “Ciceronian Roman patriot,” and Daniel Strand examines the fundamental critique of Roman civic religion essential to the work's first ten books. Daniel Burns concludes this section by examining Joseph Ratzinger's reception and interpretation of Augustine's Platonic political philosophy.

This cohesive collection of essays maintains a unified methodological concern for Augustine's classical sources and influences across a wide range of topics. It will, therefore, be of great interest to many scholars across different fields seeking to explore the origins and impact of Augustine's political thought.