Francis of Assisi: A New Biography

I believe this counts as the first book I've read where the critical apparatus (footnotes, bibliography, etc.) exceed in total pages the body of the work itself.The book is divided into two sections. Part I is the life of Francis. Part II are the sources and debates. In a sense, this makes the book two books.This book is a life of Francis.This book is about the sources and debates that participate in the quest for the historical Francis.I love it. The life itself can simply be read as a life of Francis. On this level, it is inspiring. There are significant insights, too many to list in brief review. But here just one: Whereas Francis is credited with being a lover of animals (and he was), he was actually more interested in his writings with the praise of inanimate things and the whole of creation. Object oriented ontologists, take note!In addition, although he is the patron saint of animals, he also ate them. He was less strict about fasts from meat than most of his contemporaries, because he wanted to live out the gospel, and the gospels say, "Eat what is set before you."The sources and debates will be of greater interest to scholars, although many audiences are probably interested in learning about the "real" Francis. Since the current pope has taken the name Francis for his papacy, clarity on the real Francis is an urgent topic.This book is the best of the best. I will be returning to it often.

I've read quite a bit about the life of Francis, but never had a book that laid it out so clearly. It's not the thickest book, but the author does a superb job of describing the life of Francis as a real person of Faith.This is the perfect - FIRST & LAST BOOK, for someone wanting to know the real Francis of Assisi. There is a lot of detail and hard to believe how much information is packed into its pages. Does an excellent job of putting it all together and will be a well used reference.You won't be disappointed! The Saint himself would probably like the portrayal!

In one way, this was a very helpful book about Francis, introducing the reader to the wealth of stories and legends that grew up around Francis of Assisi. Some aspects of his life do come out clearly, especially his devotion to the Eucharist and his desire to be at the bottom of society. His analysis of Francis suffering in the last years of his life cuts through the plastic hagiographies.But, as in the case of the searches for the historical Jesus, his criteria for inclusion or exclusion of stories is, I believe, a bit too narrow. Just because a story came to light at the time of the controversies over poverty in the order does not mean that it is not based on historical events.Some stories, though apocryphal shed light on who Francis was - and is. Some reveal more than the "bare fact"This is first of all a work of historical criticism. Notes and bibliography comprise half the book!I appreciated the book. But it is not a good introduction to Francis. Approach with caution. And enjoy.I have a longer note on my blog at[...]

Francis has always appeared to me as sweetness and light--just not real. Thompson's very readable account is gritty: Francis seems to have been a lifelong "passive/aggressive" person. Very dramatic and a leader, he was eager but anxious about his responsibility in following the message of Jesus Christ He would "in humility" shun being a leader but then manipulate others to do,what he wanted. Like all of us he sincerely desired to "do the will of the Lord" and yet rationalize and get others to things "according to his own will". Wonderfully refreshing and well documented history. I have never had special devotion to Francis but now I swish to emulate as I struggle to grow in holiness with my own neuroses!! "Tolle et lege!"

I was intrigued by the claim that this book was essentially a two-parter: one half narrative, one half deeper discussion. Actually, the deeper discussion was just the masses of end notes that are perfectly common to academic works and the book itself was both rather dry and lacking in interesting detail.It also lacked skepticism about some of the wilder claims, for instance that St. Francis bore the stigmata. The author takes that claim as gospel truth, ignoring some of the historic evidence (including testimony from people who knew and loved him) that Francis' physical sores might have been from either liver disease or leprosy, not miraculous intervention.Miracles or no, St. Francis was a great man and a unique figure in history whose life echoes from the Middle Ages down to the present. Every writer or filmmaker who takes him on likes to reinvent Francis for his/her own time, place, and inclinations. I've read several books about St. Francis and this one adds a religious-yet-academic perspective into the mix. My favorite Francis biography remains the popular one by Donald Spoto. Yes, Spoto is known for his bios of classic Hollywood figures and "serious" people like to deride his biography of Francis as being too "light." But the Francis Spoto presents is so very relatably human. If I were to read only one Francis bio, that's the one I'd choose.

An absolutely wonderful portrayal of a real man who became a saint. This biography strips away the centuries old myths and stereotypes about Francis and leaves us with a sinner who works to find God's will in his life. The biography is a good read and for those looking for resources there is a complete section in the second part. Well worth your time to learn about the real Francis devoid of nostalgia and legend. Excellent!