Anselm may have directed most of his writings at his fellow monks, but his commentary on reasons for faith appeal to even casual laypeople. In his new translation Williams (philosophy and religious studies, the U. of South Florida) keeps the spirit alive and the text lively, concentrating on Anselm's most popular works including Monologion, a set of instructions for meditating on the divine presence, Proslogion, an ontological argument for the existence of God, "Gaunilo's Reply on Behalf of the Fool" and Anselm's reply, the dialogs On Truth, The Freedom of Choice and On the Fall of the Devil, and works on the Incarnation, salvation, the virginal conception, original sin, and the harmony of God's foreknowledge, predestination and grace with free choice. Williams provides an able introduction and annotation along with a very good glossary. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)