City of God, by Saint Augustine (abridged for modern readers, with a Foreword by Vernon J. Bourke)

Published in 1958 by Doubleday in New York City, modern readers do well to explore the thoughts of this theologian who recorded many profound concepts and solid theological principles in this book. City of God was written over the course of several years in response to Christians and critics of Christianity alike following the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 A.D. The problems Augustine addressed in his work were not only incredibly necessary to his time, but also to our time. The truths he presented are literally timeless. This resource is an excellent place to start if one is looking to understand the mindset and actions of the common people at the time of the decay of the Roman Empire. It strongly rejects the notion that it was the fault of the Christians that Rome fell. In fact, it notes that the lives of many who were not Christians were spared because they sought sanctuary in the churches when Rome was being laid waste by the Visigoths. Everyone interested in history should read this book.