Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current U.S. - Federal income taxes	$ 3,047	$ 4,762	$ 2,072
Current U.S. - State income taxes	319	226	82
Current Non-U.S. income taxes	107,819	129,908	118,333
Total current income taxes	111,185	134,896	120,487
Deferred U.S. - Federal income taxes	(9,108)	(109,304)	(152)
Deferred U.S. - State income taxes	(3,606)	3,044
Deferred Non-U.S. income taxes	(24,760)	(21,005)	(17,469)
Total deferred income taxes	(37,474)	(127,265)	(17,621)
Total U.S - Federal income taxes	(6,061)	(104,542)	1,920
Total U.S - State income taxes	(3,287)	3,270	82
Total Non-U.S income taxes	83,059	108,903	100,864
Total income tax expense	$ 73,711	$ 7,631	$ 102,866