Joan of Arc: A Spiritual Biography

I have read just about every book out there on Joan of Arc and this is by far the best, at least in terms of a book for the popular reader, and it's about time. Marshall's book is a succinct, intelligent, and lively read, mixed with a sharp wit and punchy sensibility. (This from an academic noless.)And if you're looking for an exhaustive and thoroughly academic study of Joan, then any of Pernoud's books you'll want to pick up. But if you're looking for a good and thorough book on Joan for the general reader, and one that cuts through all the ridiculous (but fascinating nonetheless) mythologizing and romanticizing of her, and which offers a fresh and realistic point of view, then you'll definitely want to buy this book. Marshall knows how to cut to the chase but without diminishing any of the excitment or extraordinariness of Joan's remarkable story and short life. A must read for anyone interested in Joan of Arc. And, unusually, I might add, a read that should be of interest not just to the general reader, but even those esoteric "highbrows."

Written in a straight-forward, concise, and at times humorous manner, Nash-Marsha'lls Joan of Arc acquaints the reader with a historical character who became a legend during her lifetime legend.Joan is presented to us as a brave young girl who received a mission and who courageously used all of her faculties and gifts to accomplish it.Nash Marshall's approach is refreshingly honest. The narrative is centered on Joan, her mission, her work to fulfill it, her betrayal. The author gives us the facts and allows us readers to draw our own conclusions. So much has been written on Joan of Arc, by persons with all kinds of agendas. Feminists, anti-church militants and a host of others have told their stories and put Joan in as an illustration of the point they wanted to make. These interpretations vary widely, and it is amazing that they purport to deal with the same central character: Joan. One of Joan's features the author shows us very successfully is the consistency of her life. The coherence between her convictions and actions will jolt anyone who faces the temptation to compromise on ideals, i.e., every living human person.Lovers of history will find the author's thesis on the connection between the resurgence of France, the betrayal of Joan and the fall of Byzantium very interesting.Those who read the book will learn a good deal about France and England in Joan's times. It can be enjoyed by a wide audience: adults and even mature high school student will find it interesting.

Written in a straight-forward, concise, and at times humorous manner, Nash-Marsha'lls Joan of Arc acquaints the reader with a historical character who became a legend during her lifetime legend.Joan is presented to us as a brave young girl who received a mission and who courageously used all of her faculties and gifts to accomplish it.Nash Marshall's approach is refreshingly honest. The narrative is centered on Joan, her mission, her work to fulfill it, her betrayal. The author gives us the facts and allows us readers to draw our own conclusions. So much has been written on Joan of Arc, by persons with all kinds of agendas. Feminists, anti-church militants and a host of others have told their stories and put Joan in as an illustration of the point they wanted to make. These interpretations vary widely, and it is amazing that they purport to deal with the same central character: Joan. One of Joan's features the author shows us very successfully is the consistency of her life. The coherence between her convictions and actions will jolt anyone who faces the temptation to compromise on ideals, i.e., every living human person.Lovers of history will find the author's thesis on the connection between the resurgence of France, the betrayal of Joan and the fall of Byzantium original yet totally plausible.Those who read the book will learn a good deal about France and England in Joan's times. It can be enjoyed by a wide audience: adults and even mature high school student will find it of interest.

This book reveals both the known real facts about Joan of Arc and the great spirituality of this still partially unknown woman. It was a period of war and battles and the book helps you understand that the most important thing about Joan of Arc is not her being able to successfully fighting against English soldiers and captains, but her being able to force the birthing of a new nation. The book leads you into the spirituality of Joan of Arc with an easy-to-follow trip into her being, faith and doubts. Really an excellent book, very well written and that you will surely get on reading to the end once you have started it.

A book like this is long overdue on Joan of Arc. It is lively & with a very strong point of view. Most of all, you get the whole story from beginning to end in just 192 pages. When so many biographies get bogged down & mired in historical debate & mind-numbing detail & analysis, it's a great relief to see the short form genre of biography making a comeback.This book doesn't bury the good stuff. Joan's story is told with great discernment & clarity & isn't afraid to take a stand. Hooray.