St. Francis of Assisi

De: G. K. Chesterton

Narrado por: Simon Vance

Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most influential men in the whole of human history. This acclaimed biography of Saint Francis examines the life of a pure artist, a man "whose whole life was a poem". Here is the Saint Francis who prayed and danced with pagan abandon, who talked to animals, and who invented the crèche. Yet Francis also acknowledged the mystic responsibility to communicate his divine experience. Chesterton examines the existence of the pure eccentric and the devout mystic in one man, offering an understanding of Saint Francis in both body and soul. It has been said that G. K. Chesterton converted to Catholicism in 1922 because "only the Roman Church could have produced a Saint Francis of Assisi".

This biography, published shortly after Chesterton's conversion, is universally considered the best appreciation of Francis' life, one that gets to the heart of the matter.

©1923 Gilbert Keith Chesterton. © renewed 1951 by Oliver Chesterton (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Thoughtful, well written, well read

Simon Vance is a wonderful narrator for this style of writing.

GKC delicately handles difficult issues in telling the life and meaning of a great saint.

Excellent Treatment of St. Francis

First, slow down the listening speed to .80. The narration is at a pace that is far too fast to glean well what Chesterton has to offer in phrasing and accuracy to his points (and humor).

Second, an excellent and balanced treatment of St. Francis that both contextualizes him historically, and offers introduction to the unique newness he offers (both then and now). Even if you've read other treatments of Francis, you'll enjoy this one (not the least by which is due to G.K.'s wit). This book would serve both those new to Francis and those far more familiar with his life, as it carries a sense of the spiritual along with it (while not imposing it on the reader).

Great!

Absolutely loved this audiobook, wish it went into a little more detail but nonetheless inspired me to keep learning about st. Francis

A life of faith told faithfully by an extraordinary writer

Here are two commanding figures coming together to create an extraordinary personal story with epochal importance: a bona fide Saint and a writer whose own faith and understanding meets the rare qualification to do it justice.

Interesting review of St. Francis of Assisi’s life

Very interesting! The author gives very good historical background and context. I enjoyed the book.

G K has amazing incites

GK Chesterton is brilliant, obviously. I really enjoyed his insights into Saint Francis of Assisi - definitely learned even more about this magnificent Saint.!

Not enough about Francis!

The book was interesting and well narrated, however, Chesterton seems to assume that I already know quite a bit about Francis. I got the book to learn about Francis but the bulk of the book is Chesterton setting up a defence of his views on Francis as well as a critique of other contemporary writers on the subject of Francis and the church and miracles. More Francis please!

Sublime story written by a sublime mind

Chesterton never stops surprising us.
Short book but full of enigmas and sentences that are far from my ordinary mind to conceive understanding. Still the little I’ve got made it unforgettable.

Quick introduction to St. Francis

I like Chesterton, and much of this was good introduction to St. Francis; however, it is a little heavy on explaining his method for approaching the writing, rather than the writing itself.

An introductory, well thought, biographical sketch

The author describes this as a primer on St Francis. I call it an introductory, well thought, biographical sketch. The man who initiated a new order that is still alive today, was a poet and naturalist. I could picture him preaching to animals and humans alike. The audio of this text was helpful, but I believe a sit down read in the outdoors would be the best for enjoying this text.