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St. Francis of Assisi

By: G. K. Chesterton
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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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.

What listeners say about St. Francis of Assisi

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outstanding

The most important book I've read this year. Inspiring, challenging. I have a more well rounded understanding of St. Francis.

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1 person found this helpful

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A Poem of Praise

Classic Chesterton! If you enjoy his prose and his imagery and his love of all that is good then this is your jam.

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Overall Good

An inspirational look at the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Well written, narration was a bit off in parts.

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Genius

The genius of GK Chesterton shines in this wonderfully human but intellectual biography of St Francis.

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Beautifully and Brilliantly Written

GK Chesterton weaves insight and reason into a brief but deep account of the life, including contextual inferences, of St. Francis of Assisi.

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Simon Vance reads a remarkable work remarkably

Vance's has been the voice in my head when I read Chesterton this whole time. Glad to put a name to it. Obviously, Chesterton's biography of St Francis is impossible to overrate. The reading on this is equal to it. I can't recall a misplaced syllable.

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Wow! what a performance of exceptional material!

this is heady stuff, written by a language master... I have already listened twice and will do so again. I feel certain I will learn more every time. Great subject .. St. Francis... Great author. Great performance!!

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A devotion to and defense of St. Francis

Neither biography or historical fiction, Chesterton's long essay is a rationalization of his love of Francis.
Rationalization implies a logical subject. Why rationalize a Saint? Either you believe or you don't. You're in or you're out.
The sound of GK Chesterton reassuring himself and other Catholics.

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Thought Provoking

This gave me a different perspective on a wee bit of history. Funny what you take for granted until it is spelled out!

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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.

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8 people found this helpful