Earnings before Income Taxes, Including both Continuing and Discontinued Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic	$ 12,635	$ (19,182)	$ 14,593
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign	(95,326)	(111,162)	10,798
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	$ (82,691)	$ (130,344)	$ 25,391