Francis of Assisi: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Saint - Hardcover

"One comes away from [this] book not only with a new understanding of Francis, but also with a renewed appreciation for the relationship between sanctity and authentic humanity."-Alden Bass, Englewood Review of Books -- Alden Bass Englewood Review of Books "A refreshingly complex portrait of one of Catholicism's most familiar figures... Engaging."-Kathleen Manning, U.S. Catholic -- Kathleen Manning U.S. Catholic "This new biography will reinvigorate our appreciation of Francis' originality and radicalism."-Martin L. Smith, Washington Independent Review of Books -- Martin L. Smith Washington Independent Review of Books "An indispensable document attesting to what can be known of the Poor Man of Assisi, as well as a stirring exemplum of written history."-Michael Signorelli, Paris Review Daily -- Michael Signorelli Paris Review Daily "Comprehensive [and] engaging."-P. L. Urban Jr., Choice -- P. L. Urban Jr. Choice "Fascinating"-John L. Murphy, PopMatters -- John L. Murphy PopMatters "The single best book about Francis now available in English ... Vauchez must be given the crown."-Lawrence S. Cunningham, Commonweal -- Lawrence C. Cunningham Commonweal "Full of nuance and engaging detail, providing insight into [an] enduring legacy"-Iris McLister, Santa Fe New Mexican -- Iris McLister Santa Fe New Mexican

In this towering work, Andre Vauchez draws on the vast body of scholarship on Francis of Assisi, emphasizing in particular the important research of the last 30 years. He creates a complete and engaging portrait of the saint, then explores how the memory of Francis was shaped by contemporaries who recollected him in their writings. Vauchez completes the book by setting "Poverello" in the context of his times, bringing to light what was new, surprising, even astonishing in the life and vision of this man. The first part of the book is a fascinating reconstruction of Francis' life and work. The second and third parts deal with the myriad texts - hagiographies, chronicles, sermons, personal testimonies, etc. - of writers who recorded aspects of Francis' life and movement as they remembered them, thus constructing his "memory" for future generations. In the final part of the book, Vauchez explores those aspects of Francis' life, personality, and spiritual vision that were unique to him, including his experience of God, his approach to nature, his understanding and use of Scripture, and his impact on culture as well as culture's impact upon him.