Confessions is an autobiographical work by Saint Augustine of Hippo, consisting of 13 books written in Latin between AD 397 and 400. The work outlines Saint Augustine's sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity. The unifying theme that emerges over the course of the entire work is that of redemption: Augustine sees his own painful process of returning to God as an instance of the return of the entire creation to God. These events, along with the "decaying" empire that is around him give rise to his work "City of God." Written in "Books" rather than chapters may seem odd to us moderns. His book Confessions is not an easy read for modern readers, but for those who seek his wisdom it is there.