St. Augustine's Press
In this eloquent and thought-provoking “autohistory,” John Lukacs, distinguished historian and writer, describes the history of his own convictions and beliefs. The journey takes us from the
Hungary of the 1930s and the ravaged Budapest of World War II to Lukacs’s discovery of the
New World, his forays into the intellectual life of New York City, and finally his settling in
Philadelphia.
Along the way, Lukacs examines many of the major currents of our period, including fascism,
communism, democracy, anti-Semitism, and the Christian realism from which springs the
book’s title. What emerges is a mind that brings to bear on the conflicts of the twentieth century
the erudition of the European heritage and the independence of the American.
In prose as elegant as it is supple, Confessions of an Original Sinner is at once the vivid
account of one man’s voyage and an important contribution to that small library that brings into
sharp focus the major intellectual developments of our time.
“. . . beautifully written, full of trenchant observations, and – once you break through the solemn
wrappings of the introduction – exceedingly funny. . . . His ‘confessions’ give the reader an experience
rather akin to gazing at a brilliant stained-glass window only to discover small, hilarious cartoons
worked out in the corners. Do not neglect the footnotes. They are as entertaining as the main text.” – New York Times Book Review
“A fine and luminous book – consistently perceptive and acute, often profound. . . . A first rate work of
the historical imagination.” – Lewis Lapham
“He is an often witty and always fascinating – even entertaining – writer.” – Washington Post
“. . . a superb guidebook to a rich intellect.” – Wall Street Journal
John Lukacs is the author of many works of history, including, A Thread of Years, The Hitler of
History, Historical Consciousness, and Five Days in London, May 1940.
Confessions of
an
Original Sinner
344 pages, 6” x 9”, clothbound, notes
ISBN: 1-890318-12-4, 2000
$30.00