On the Road with Francis of Assisi: A Timeless Journey Through Umbria and Tuscany, and Beyond

I received this product very quickly to give as a gift for the Holidays! It was in perfect condition. The gift was loved!!

This is an amazing book that takes you on a journey with Francis of Assisi and Clare. Unlike dry preachy spiritual books, spiritual books with a not so hidden agenda or dry historical discussions that you have to force yourself to finish reading, this book seems to have just the right balance between travelogue packed with action and spirituality that makes it a page turner. I actually reread some of the chapters and they were just as good the second time. The author is a skilled observer and has put in just enough history to fascinate rather than bore the reader. She refrains from telling you what to think or how to feel. At the same time she shares her emotions at certain points, but it is so honestly conveyed and well done that you just feel it is part of the journey. As a result, you actually go on the journey yourself as she leads you and you are allowed to draw your own conclusions. Also, the inclusion of both Francis and Clare work very well in telling the story so you are able to appreciate the profound impact that they have on one another. Their story unfolds in a very powerful way in this travel format. This book just works! Parts that you will recognize that are so well told: Francis denouncing his father Clare fleeing her family for the spiritual life Francis adventures in Rome with the Pope Francis and the wolf, and so much more. I highly recommend this book for anyone on a spiritual journey and especially to St. Francis and St. Clare fans.

A fascinating look into the life and wanderings of an interesting character in some of my personal favorite parts of Italy. Specialized reading for specialized interests. I have recently commissioned a painting representing one aspect of the life of Francis of Assisi, and this book added greatly to my own and the artist's understanding of the man.

Linda Bird Francke's book is a must! I am always looking for more stories on this saint as I am an avid St. Francis of Assisi fan. He captured my heart on my first visit to Assisi in 1999 with my talented artist/sculptor husband Mic Carlson. Mic had an exhibition of his bronze collection on the life of St. Francis at the Basilica of St. Francis in 2004. He was the first American artist to be invited. During our month long stay we became followers of St. Francis. What a marvelously wonderful honor and experience! Mic is now working on a St. Francis prayer and meditation sculpture garden depicting the life of this saint, as well as life size peace statues of St. Francis in Assisi and Grand Rapids. Walking in the footsteps of St. Francis brought his spirit right beside us. You can feel his presence in so many places. Since then I have written a children's book about this beloved saint. Tommy's New Shell exhibits the kindness Francis had for all creation. Mic and I are always searching for more history on St. Francis and Linda's book with all my highlighted pages will be tucked in my back pack on our next venture there in this fall. Linda went over and beyond the stories of Francis and even the places to visit. I felt every emotion she portrayed and cannot wait to experience new places she took me to. If you ever plan to visit the Umbrian or Tuscan areas in Italy, please read this book. You will not regret it. Not only does she tell the true story about this sweet vagabond and his followers, but she gives you the history of places and events that are confirmed in the many ancient frescoes all over Umbria and Tuscany. Linda will also take you to the hard to find caves and mountain top ledges where Francis spent his time with God. She also gives you the true feeling of living among the Italian residents in out of the way little villages. The cozy coffee shops, restaurants and inns with the locals are so vivid in my mind...these are the places where you really get the ambiance of true Italians. You can envision Francis as he walked along these same streets and offered his sweet spiritual messages to the people and even to the birds in the fields on his life long voyage. Linda didn't miss a beat in her journey of St. Francis, his followers and his Sister St. Clare. My next wish is that this book be made into a movie! I could not put this book down from the 1st page to the last! Thank you Linda Bird Francke! God Bless You! Susan Evangelista Author Grand Rapids, Michigan

What a fabulous idea that Linda Francke had - combining an account of the life of the greatest Saint with a story of her own spiritual journey with a travel guide. A teacher in high school (a Jesuit) once told me that we don't all have to live like St. Francis, but we should all be willing to invite him into our busy live occasionally and allow him to ask us some tough questions. This book is a pleasant and thought-provoking way to do just that.