Synopses & Reviews
In this towering work, Andrand#233; Vauchez draws on the vast body of scholarship on Francis of Assisi produced over the past forty years as well on as his own expertise in medieval hagiography to tell the most comprehensive and authoritative version of Francisand#8217;s life and afterlife published in the past half century.and#160;
After a detailed and yet engaging reconstruction of Francis's life and work, Vauchez focuses on the myriad textsand#8212;hagiographies, chronicles, sermons, personal testimonies, etc.and#8212;of writers who recorded aspects of Francis's life and movement as they remembered them, and used thoseand#160;remembrances to construct a portrait of Francis relevantand#160;to their concerns. We see varying versions of his life reflected in the work of Machiavelli, Luther, Voltaire, German and English romantics, pre-Raphaelites, Italian nationalists, and Mussolini, and discover how peace activists, ecologists, or interreligious dialogists have used his example to promote their various causes. Particularly noteworthy is the attention Vauchez pays to Francisand#8217;s own writings, which strangely enough have been largely overlooked by later interpreters.
The product of a lifetime of study, this book reveals a historian at the height of his powers.
Review
and#8220;One comes away from [this] book not only with a new understanding of Francis, but also with a renewed appreciation for the relationship between sanctity and authentic humanity.and#8221;and#8212;Alden Bass,andnbsp;Englewood Review of Booksandnbsp;
Review
“A refreshingly complex portrait of one of Catholicism’s most familiar figures. . . . Engaging.”—Kathleen Manning, U.S. Catholic Englewood Review of Books
Review
“This new biography will reinvigorate our appreciation of Francis’ originality and radicalism.”—Martin L. Smith, Washington Independent Review of Books Kathleen Manning - U.S. Catholic
Review
and#160;andldquo;An indispensable document attesting to what can be known of the Poor Man of Assisi, as well as a stirring exemplum of written history.andrdquo;andmdash;Michael Signorelli,and#160;Paris Review Daily
Review
“Comprehensive [and] engaging.”—P. L. Urban Jr.,
Choice Michael Signorelli - Paris Review Daily
Review
“Fascinating”—John L. Murphy,
PopMatters P. L. Urban Jr. - Choice
Review
and#8220;The single best book about Francis now available in English . . . Vauchez must be given the crown.and#8221;and#8212;Lawrence S. Cunningham, Commonweal
Review
and#8220;This is a winner. It will have a great many readers and will dominate the field of Saint Francis studies for years to come.and#8221;and#8212;William Chester Jordan, Princeton University
Review
and#8220;For thirty years, we have been waiting for a new scholarly biography of Francis of Assisi. Andrand#233; Vauchez offers us that and so much more. Not only does he give us a thorough assessment of Francis in his historical context; he also offers us an intimate understanding of his spiritual experience.and#8221;and#8212;Jacques Dalarun, Institut de Recherches et d'Histoire des Textes, Paris
Review
and#8220;The leading historian of later-medieval sainthood has here incorporated much recent Italian research in this mature appreciation of the life, cult, and varied interpretations of the eraand#8217;s most engaging saintly protagonist.and#8221;and#8212;Lester K. Little, Smith College
Review
andldquo;A refreshingly complex portrait of one of Catholicismandrsquo;s most familiar figures. . . . Engaging.andrdquo;andmdash;Kathleen Manning,and#160;U.S. Catholicand#160;
Review
andldquo;Thisand#160;new biography will reinvigorate our appreciation of Francisandrsquo; originality and radicalism.andrdquo;andmdash;Martin L. Smith,and#160;Washington Independent Review of Booksand#160;
Review
and#8220;Comprehensive [and] engaging.and#8221;and#8212;P. L. Urban Jr.,and#160;
ChoiceReview
and#8220;Fascinatingand#8221;and#8212;John L. Murphy,and#160;
PopMattersReview
andldquo;Full of nuance and engaging detail, providing insight into [an] enduring legacyandrdquo;andmdash;Iris McLister, Santa Fe New Mexican
Review
"[A] well-informed studyand#8230; Vauchez writes lucidly and thoughtfully." and#8212;Robert E. Lerner, Times Literary Supplement
Synopsis
The most insightful and authoritative biography of Francis of Assisi in decades, by a preeminent scholar of medieval saints and sainthood
Synopsis
In this towering work, André Vauchez draws on the vast body of scholarship on Francis of Assisi, emphasizing in particular the important research of the last 30 years. He creates a complete and engaging portrait of the saint, then explores how the memory of Francis was shaped by contemporaries who recollected him in their writings. Vauchez completes the book by setting "Poverello" in the context of his time, bringing to light what was new, surprising, and even astonishing in the life and vision of this man.
The first part of the book is a fascinating reconstruction of Francis's life and work. The second and third parts deal with the myriad texts—hagiographies, chronicles, sermons, personal testimonies, etc.—of writers who recorded aspects of Francis's life and movement as they remembered them, and used those remembrances to construct a portrait of Francis relevant to their concerns. In the final part of the book, Vauchez explores those aspects of Francis's life, personality, and spiritual vision that were unique to him, including his experience of God, his approach to nature, his understanding and use of Scripture, and his impact on culture as well as culture's impact on him.
Synopsis
First published in France, where it was awarded the Prix Chateaubriand, this masterful new biography of Francis is now available in English
Synopsis
The most authoritative biography of Francis of Assisi in more than a generation, this book brings the medieval saint to life and explores the abundance of writings by contemporaries who set down their memories of him.
About the Author
André Vauchez is professor emeritus, University of Paris X, and a leading expert on religious movements, saints, and the dynamics of the Middle Ages. He lives in France. Michael Cusato, O.F.M., is former director of the Franciscan Institute and currently teaches at the Dominican House of Studies. He lives in Washington, D.C.