Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint - Hardcover

Spoto, Donald

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060815175 ISBN 13: 9780060815172

Publisher: HarperOne, 2007

Synopsis

During the tumultuous Hundred Years' War between England and France, a teenage peasant girl followed her heart and helped save a nation. A vision from God, received in her parents' garden, instructed her to take up arms and help restore the kingdom of France. Without consulting her family, Joan left home on one of the most remarkable personal quests in history. As a young girl in a world of men, she faced unimaginable odds, yet her belief in her mission propelled her forward. Within months Joan was directing soldiers and bravely fighting for her nation. Before long she had become a national hero and was the guest of honor at her king's coronation. Yet fame ultimately became her undoing. The English shrewdly realized that Joan's demise and defamation would disgrace France and provide a more direct route to victory. Captured in war, Joan became a pawn in one of the longest and bloodiest wars in history.

Since her death at the age of nineteen in 1431, Joan of Arc has maintained a remarkable hold on our collective imagination. She was a teenager of astonishing common sense and a national heroine who led men in battle as a courageous warrior. Yet she was also abandoned by the king whose coronation she secured, betrayed by her countrymen, and sold to the enemy. In this meticulously researched landmark biography, Donald Spoto expertly captures this astonishing life and the times in which she lived. Neither wife nor nun, neither queen nor noblewoman, neither philosopher nor stateswoman, Joan of Arc demonstrates that anyone who follows their heart has the power to change history.

About this title

About the Author:

Donald Spoto has written two dozen bestselling biographies of film and theater stars—among them Grace Kelly, Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, Ingrid Bergman, and Marilyn Monroe. Born in Westchester County, near New York City, he now lives in Denmark.

Review:

“A fresh and definitive biography in the context of Joan of Arc’s times.” (International Herald Tribune)

“Donald Spoto is one of the best biographers in the world today. “ (Acclaimed biographer Mary S. Lovell, author of the national bestselling The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family)

“A magnificent introduction to one of the most misunderstood and controversial of all the saints.” (James Martin, SJ, editor of America Magazine, author of My Life With the Saints)

“A worthy contribution to a renewed understanding of a figure who still speaks to today’s realities.” (Library Journal)

“[An] engaging, and at times gripping, biography.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“I have never read a biography that affected me so deeply as a Catholic or as a woman.” (Sr. Joan Chittister, author of Called to Question and columnist for The National Catholic Reporter)

“Thought provoking and very readable... Joan’s story is significant and should be retold....” (United Press International)

“...a lively, accessible book ...with a cogent discussion of faith, mystery and early church politics.” (Washington Times)

“[Spoto] approaches his subject with the sophistication of a historian and the admiration of a true believer.” (Washington Post)

“Spoto is a surprisingly apt biographer for [Joan] ....” (Slate)

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperOne
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0060815175
• ISBN 13: 9780060815172
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240