Joan of Arc

By: Mark Twain

Narrated by: Michael Anthony

Length: 15 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Very few people know that Mark Twain wrote a major work on Joan of Arc. Still fewer know that he considered it not only his most important, but also his best work. He spent 12 years in research and many months in France doing archival work, and then made several attempts until he felt he finally had the story he wanted to tell. He reached his conclusion about Joan's unique place in history only after studying in detail accounts written by both sides: the French, for whom she raised an army to return the Dauphin to the throne; and the English, who fought the French in the Hundred Year's War and were ultimately Joan's executioners. This is a fascinating and remarkably accurate biography of the life and mission of Joan of Arc told by one of this country's greatest storytellers.

Public Domain (P)1992 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Twain's best

Mark Twain considered Joan of Arc to be the best human our world ever produced. His great admiration shines through and can't help but inspire the reader as well. Although the story takes some fanciful flights, it is a marvelous and amazing recounting of a peasant girl leading a nation to freedom. Since French independence was so pivotal to the American revolution, it is a part of our own history. It is a reflection of the best in human nature.

I love it!

A work of art in every sense. A true adventure.The best book I have ever read.

everyone should experience Mark Twain's story.

awesome. should be required reading in high school and college. keep close at hand. always.

Great history of an amazing person

This was so well written it could have been published last week, rather than over 100 years ago. Mark Twain had a surprisingly progressive view of both women and the rights of the individual.

This was clearly painstakingly researched and wonderfully enlightening.

Yes, some of the tangents with "the boys" were meandering...and I would have liked to see her characterized as being a little more human from time to time, but overall excellent.

genius!

Mark Twain himself believed that this was his finest work, and now I fully agree.

Expected dry parts...it was all good.

My teens are reading this in Medieval history this year, and I don't have time to read it, so I listened. In a book about Joan of Arc, 16 hours long, I expected there would be tedious parts I would have to bear. There were none.
I came away, amazed at Joan. Amazed at the way this peasant girl was able to answer for herself during her multiple trials as well as her faithfulness to her beliefs. Amazed at her courage and her compassion.

Entertaining writing, as one would expect from Mark Twain. This isn't a dull exchange of information, it's a well told story.
The narrator was good. Not the best of the best (Jim Dale ranking), but did well, with alteration in pitch so that you could tell when different people were speaking. There was some faint echo of the recording in the background that I noticed at pauses, but not distinct enough to detract from the story.

Recording overlay

I think the recording had other voices in background at times
Otherwise it was great!

Joan of Arc in good hands

It is wonderful to hear such lucid prose. Written by a master, performed admirably and the story, one for the ages.

Who knew?

Mark Twain has written a holy book! I was moved. It has the Mark Twain touches of funny side stories and the endless foibles of human beings, but all in all, Joan of Arc was real, holy, and beloved. France, France, France! Great food. Shooting yourself in the foot citizens!

A great listen

Twain is one of the five best writers in the English language ever and this work is up to his usual standard. It is beautifully constructed and detailed. The structure relieves any dryness from the history but does not lose any context or content. A huge pleasure to listen to. Naration is clear and well executed.