Forward Movement has issued a revised edition of Saint Augustine's Prayer Book, a long out-of-print manual of prayers first produced by the Order of the Holy Cross. The new edition is rather splendidly printed, bound in leather, the pages edged in gold. For the moment, this manual of private devotions is the latest in a long succession of primers, the first of which were produced laboriously by hand in the medieval church. These primers were immensely popular. Indeed it is estimated that the first printed editions numbered in the thousands, no unremarkable fact given the limited number of literate lay people in England at the beginning of the sixteenth century. ... Prayers are reproduced as they are found, some in traditional language, others in modern American. Much use is made of the prayer book's noon prayers and compline and its occasional prayers. Perhaps miraculously this creates a compendium of things old and things new which flows together with remarkable harmony. One may hope that Bishop Hilsey's ambition to instruct youth (and the not-so-young) so as "to know first the true honour of God, and to know the honour that belongeth to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Holy Saints,"may continue to find contemporary expression by the wide use of this admirable volume.
-The Rev. Anthony F. M. Clavier, A Welcome Return, review of Saint Augustine s Prayer Book: Newly Revised Edition, by The Rev. David Cobb and Dr. Derek Olsen, The Anglican, Pentecost 2014, Book Review, 33-34.
To this beautiful volume which introduced many to Marian devotion, and which gave expression to a more personal devotion not necessarily found in the BCP, new material e.g. Stations of the Resurrection has been added. The Litany of the Saints is updated to include holy figures from Hebrew Scriptures, the saints of Jesus one might call them, namely Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Moses, Miriam, and Aaron; Ruth and Naomi. Saints also included are Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Alban. Perpetua and Felicity. Beloved Anglican Saints now includes the pairs: Richard Hooker and Lancelot Andrewes, Nicholas Ferrar and George Herbert, John Keble and Edward Pusey. The updated "Litany of Intercessions in the Night" puts more responsibility on us and is less judgmental. This newly revised edition represents a devotional treasure.
-Dr. Deirdre Good, Academic Dean & Professor of New Testament General Theological Seminary
St. Augustine's Prayer Book is by far my favorite prayer book for personal use. Anglocatholics will love it and if you aren't Anglocatholic you'll still find so much beauty and wisdom in its pages and that it's more than worth the cost. The Holy Hour prayers, reflection questions in morning and evening prayer, the prayer for leaving home, and Percy Dearmer's Advent prayer (which is really appropriate at any time) are some of my absolute favorites, just to name a few. Plus, it compliments, not competes with, the Book of Common Prayer, meaning you'll learn more about the Book of Common Prayer and its prayers. 10/10 would recommend.
--John Putnam, Children & Youth Minister at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Centennial, CO