Joan of Arc

If anyone wants a well written book that reads fast and delivers a concise account of St. Joan of Arc's amazing life, this is the book. Joan led the army of France at the age of 17 and defeated the English. At age 19 she was captured, tried in a mock trial, and martyred by burning at the stake. Her last words were calling out the name of Jesus. The voices from heaven started when this peasant girl was a shepherdess in small town and stayed with her until her martyrdom. The group of 42 learned scholars on the English side who tried to prosecute her could not overtake this young saint with their trap questions and repetitive questioning designed to get her to contradict herself. Finally the chief interrogator, Pierre Couchon, had to find her guilty on a minor charge in order to please the English that wanted her declared a heretic and burnt at the stake. The verdict was later reversed by an ecclesiastical court and afterwards Joan was canonized as a Saint. The book is 71 pages long and an easy read and enjoyable read.

One of the most difficult narratives written, very similar to the language I vaguely recall in my 12th grade English Literature class of some 50 years ago. This short read is greatly lengthened by the language the author uses and the difficult sentence structure demands continuous re-read on every page. However, the persistent reader of English is able to obtain the gist of the story on the first read.Although this book is only 73 pages, it possesses no figures, photographs, maps, or references! If one is not familiar with the French geography with its confusing dukedoms of the 15th Century, the story is difficult to comprehend even with knowledge of the story. I found this work informative not “an artful narrative.” I would not enjoy reading this text for more than its allotted page content. There must be another credible source to view this story of St. Joan. I will not be taking this book with me to France next month!

Hilaire Belloc uses his knowledge of France, its history and geography, to flesh out the political, military, and ecclesial situations and intrigues surrounding the brief life and military career of Joan of Arc, rendering her remarkable story straightforwardly and sympathetically. The book is brief, direct, informative, and highly readable.I have read several accounts of Joan's life, including Mark Twain's novel and George Bernard Shaw's play, and of them, I believe Belloc's the best.

I've read Mark Twain 's account of this great saint and believe it and this one by Hillaire Belloc together give a comprehensive and invaluable historical record of the saintliness and valor exhibited by St Joan of Arc . I highly recommend Hilaire Belloc's account !

I was looking for a faithful Catholic account of St. Joan, but found very little that looked to distill the story to its essence. I started Mark Twain's novel, but it seemed unreal. To my great surprise I found Belloc's account and it was perfect.

A wonderfully told story of faith, courage, & love. Mark Twain devoted years researching & reviewing official French govt documents to offer an accurate portrayal of St. Joan of Arc's life. Tea in considers this to be his best work. The biography impacted my faith life!!

Complete, no-nonsense biography of the Maid of Orleans. Belloc was an orthodox Catholic, and it is apparent in his straight-forward prose.

Very simply and beautifully written. You may enjoy Mark Twain's book on Joan of Arc if you like this one. He loved Joan too..