St. Francis of Assisi

By: G. K. Chesterton

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

About Time

I have been waiting (praying) for an audio version of this book for sometime now. It is beautifully read, but I find difficulty sometimes in comprehension through the English accent and older form of language. I believe that Chesterton's writing is more about digesting and less about reading, and the audio version allows for precisely that - because I played it on the slower speed which allowed me to hang onto words and moments just a little bit longer.
This is the best audio version of Chesterton's books, in my humble opinion. Enjoy!!

An Essay vs a Biography

Towards the end of the book the author makes a statement that clarified its purpose for me, calling this an "essay on St Francis" . I came in expecting a biography, but it is much more a series of reflections on events in the life of the saint, and their impact, in the unique and indomitable style of GK Chesterton. It is enjoyable and enriching, but don't expect a chronological biography of the traditional sort, or to come away with an overview of this life.

read and reread

loved it! read it over and over. lead me to deeper love of Jesus Christ

Beautiful blending of a great book and an exceptional reader!

Do not hesitate—buy this book. Not only is Chesterton’s book worthy of our attention, but also Mr. Vance is the perfect narrator for this book. A beautiful spiritual and literary resource.

A great little book with an extraordinary reader

I loved hearing G K Chesterton’s voice in this small biography of the Saint. And Chesterton’s voice is highly present. A great introduction and framing of Francis in time and spirit.

St Francis of Assisi

This book surprised me. It was not what I expected. The format is similar to defending your theists hitting upon events that occurred to the society around St Francis. It provided me a mindset as to how saints should be studied but not the meat I desired.

Informative

I like Chesterton, his introductions are quite eliminating. So too has he achieved his purpose by wetting my appetite for more information. This is a small informative book on the man we call Francois of Assisi!

All round good

The performance is perfect for capturing the style and personality of Chesterton's prose. As one should expect with a Chesterton "biography," this is not really a biography, but a well-written and insightful, vaguely philosophic essay that takes for its point of departure the life of St. Francis. You can expect to hear all of the most famous stories of St. Francis's life in a roughly chronological order and in an imaginative expression, but don't expect any great historical detail or scholarship. This book is more aimed at arguing for a certain philosophic perspective than at communicating historical facts. For that end, it does an excellent job. It is justly one of Chesterton's most loved works.

Incredible

A wonderful narrative of a exalted yet incredibly tangible man. The closing is wonderful and the performance was riveting.

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.