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Francis of Assisi: The Life
Francis of Assisi: The Life is an elegant and accessible biography of one of Catholicism's most beloved saints. Originally published as Part 1 of Francis of Assisi: A New Biography by Augustine Thompson, O.P., it stands alone as a richly informed portrait of a man whose complex faith and commitment continue to inspire today. A new introduction by Thompson places his biography in the context of continuing discussions about Francis's legacy, particularly the new Pope's decision to adopt the saint's name.
From reviews of Francis of Assisi: A New Biography
"This is not a typical biography of Francis of Assisi (1181 1226). Thompson, a Dominican priest and church historian, bases his biography solidly on verifiable material. He seeks the historical Francis, not the Francis of legend, and succeeds admirably in this task. . . . A well-written, scholarly portrait of a saint whose biography has been based too often on legends." Library Journal (starred review)
"Among Thompson's many keen yet painful insights into the historical Francis, one stands out and serves to bind together the entire narrative and to shed light on the discordant history of the Franciscan order: Leadership was an 'intolerable burden' to Francis, spiritually, 'one he wished to be rid of as quickly as possible.' . . . The stripped-down, bare-bones historical Francis of this biography is at once immensely likeable and deeply disturbing. He is appealing insofar as Thompson makes him seem much more like an ordinary man who accomplished extraordinary things rather than a heaven-sent, self-assured prophet. His befuddlement, his inner turmoil, his inability to control events make him seem not just very human but also much like nearly anyone who is likely to pick up this book." First Things
"Francis of Assisi so impressed the people of his own time that even before his death a rich field of stories, images, anecdotes, and reports of miracles had sprung up. These so enveloped the saint that many scholars have despaired of uncovering the man behind the legends. But this new, lucid study by Thompson largely achieves this goal. . . . An engaging, well-written new biography of the saint." Choice
"I recommend this book strongly to anyone serious about understanding Francis of Assisi. I admire the clarity and brevity of the writing. With decisiveness, Thompson cuts through the conflicting medieval accounts of each event in Francis' life, adjusts for the hagiographers' spin and creates a credible chronology out of the blurry dates. His knowledge of medieval Italy allows him to provide insightful explanations of the legal, liturgical, and ecclesiastical practices of the time." America
From reviews of Francis of Assisi: A New Biography
"This is not a typical biography of Francis of Assisi (1181 1226). Thompson, a Dominican priest and church historian, bases his biography solidly on verifiable material. He seeks the historical Francis, not the Francis of legend, and succeeds admirably in this task. . . . A well-written, scholarly portrait of a saint whose biography has been based too often on legends." Library Journal (starred review)
"Among Thompson's many keen yet painful insights into the historical Francis, one stands out and serves to bind together the entire narrative and to shed light on the discordant history of the Franciscan order: Leadership was an 'intolerable burden' to Francis, spiritually, 'one he wished to be rid of as quickly as possible.' . . . The stripped-down, bare-bones historical Francis of this biography is at once immensely likeable and deeply disturbing. He is appealing insofar as Thompson makes him seem much more like an ordinary man who accomplished extraordinary things rather than a heaven-sent, self-assured prophet. His befuddlement, his inner turmoil, his inability to control events make him seem not just very human but also much like nearly anyone who is likely to pick up this book." First Things
"Francis of Assisi so impressed the people of his own time that even before his death a rich field of stories, images, anecdotes, and reports of miracles had sprung up. These so enveloped the saint that many scholars have despaired of uncovering the man behind the legends. But this new, lucid study by Thompson largely achieves this goal. . . . An engaging, well-written new biography of the saint." Choice
"I recommend this book strongly to anyone serious about understanding Francis of Assisi. I admire the clarity and brevity of the writing. With decisiveness, Thompson cuts through the conflicting medieval accounts of each event in Francis' life, adjusts for the hagiographers' spin and creates a credible chronology out of the blurry dates. His knowledge of medieval Italy allows him to provide insightful explanations of the legal, liturgical, and ecclesiastical practices of the time." America
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2013
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85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 18, 2024
In terms of enjoyment reading I would give this a 3/5 but for information I give it a 5/5 so we meet in the middle at 4/5. I wanted to learn more about who St Francis was and was recommended this book from a Friar. It does an excellent job at not sensationalizing his life but rather showing both his deep devotion to Christ and the struggles he had especially in leading a group of men he never asked for. I think it especially showed the deep devotion he had to the Passion and the Eucharist and how pivotal those are to our lives.
February 5, 2022
This accompanied me on a recent pilgrimage to Assisi. I'm glad I had this more 'historical' biography with me then, for it was indeed very difficult to discern fact from embellishment during the trip. The realism of this portrait of St Francis, with all his torments and struggles (different from his often cutesy talking-with-animals portrayal), made the path to sanctity seem all the. more doable.
October 8, 2020
Francis of Assisi: The Life by Augustine Thompson is a comprehensive biography about one of the Catholic Church's most beloved saints. Thompson earned is BA and MA at John Hopkins. He earned a second BA in Philosophy and a MDiv from Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology. His PhD is from the University of California, Berkeley. He has taught at several universities, published several book and articles.
St. Francis has quite a romanticized history. Pictures of him surrounded by small animals and a missionary of peace, kindness, and genteelness is how I remember him from my days in Catholic school. Thompson mentions some newer views of Francis:
“Francis was a free spirit, a wild religious genius, a kind of medieval hippie, misunderstood and then exploited by the”Medieval Church.” Or perhaps they know him as the man who spoke to animals, a nature mystic, an ecologist, a pacifist, a feminist, a voice for our time.”
Francis was born into a well off home, was educated, and quite a party guy. He went to war, fought, held as a prisoner, and was quite a changed man on his return. He was haunted by strange dreams and from the descriptions of his behavior sound much like post traumatic stress syndrome. Francis felt a great guilt and openly gave alms to the poor. He drifted from his family and displayed eccentric behavior. He began a life of poverty. He exchanged manual labor for food and shelter and worked with lepers. Along with two other penitents he went to Rome to ask to start an order. He managed to see the pope and was told to go on his quest see if he could bring in new followers. He spent his life dedicated to hard work, giving to the poor, and embracing the cross. Francis called this as leaving the world.
As far as the animals, Francis did have a way with them. There are numerous stores from before his sainthood that show a special connection, although not as great as his post sainthood stories. Interestingly, although he is known for releasing animals given to him and his circle for food, he had no prohibition against eating meat. Francis took the bible's “Then let us eat what is put before us.” literally when it came to eating meat.
Thompson shows that Francis did exhibit some questionable behavior that would seem not too rational. Despite everything, Francis is dedicated to his mission. He would not accept money in exchange for his labor, only food or shelter. He does many things to show his faith and never waivers. Whether or not the reader is Catholic or Christian there is much to be learned and admired from St. Francis. Thompson writes an excellent biography and documents his work very well. It is quite an accomplishment to retrieve this much detailed information on a man who lived almost 1,200 years ago. A very good read for anyone interested in the Medieval Church, the Franciscan Order, or a story of a great man.
St. Francis has quite a romanticized history. Pictures of him surrounded by small animals and a missionary of peace, kindness, and genteelness is how I remember him from my days in Catholic school. Thompson mentions some newer views of Francis:
“Francis was a free spirit, a wild religious genius, a kind of medieval hippie, misunderstood and then exploited by the”Medieval Church.” Or perhaps they know him as the man who spoke to animals, a nature mystic, an ecologist, a pacifist, a feminist, a voice for our time.”
Francis was born into a well off home, was educated, and quite a party guy. He went to war, fought, held as a prisoner, and was quite a changed man on his return. He was haunted by strange dreams and from the descriptions of his behavior sound much like post traumatic stress syndrome. Francis felt a great guilt and openly gave alms to the poor. He drifted from his family and displayed eccentric behavior. He began a life of poverty. He exchanged manual labor for food and shelter and worked with lepers. Along with two other penitents he went to Rome to ask to start an order. He managed to see the pope and was told to go on his quest see if he could bring in new followers. He spent his life dedicated to hard work, giving to the poor, and embracing the cross. Francis called this as leaving the world.
As far as the animals, Francis did have a way with them. There are numerous stores from before his sainthood that show a special connection, although not as great as his post sainthood stories. Interestingly, although he is known for releasing animals given to him and his circle for food, he had no prohibition against eating meat. Francis took the bible's “Then let us eat what is put before us.” literally when it came to eating meat.
Thompson shows that Francis did exhibit some questionable behavior that would seem not too rational. Despite everything, Francis is dedicated to his mission. He would not accept money in exchange for his labor, only food or shelter. He does many things to show his faith and never waivers. Whether or not the reader is Catholic or Christian there is much to be learned and admired from St. Francis. Thompson writes an excellent biography and documents his work very well. It is quite an accomplishment to retrieve this much detailed information on a man who lived almost 1,200 years ago. A very good read for anyone interested in the Medieval Church, the Franciscan Order, or a story of a great man.
May 8, 2020
A dry, yet accurate and distinctly non-hagiographical view of the famous Roman Catholic ascetic. To those I've discussed the work with, it is the most accurate biography of the figure. Very useful as a historical look at the figure. It shows Francis as history knows him, without the extreme hagiographical or even mystical treatment he is normally given in Roman Catholic literature.
July 1, 2019
Wanted a book on the real, human St. Francis behind the legends. This book was rather dry and boring to read but wasnt too long and served its purpose.
January 27, 2021
Interesting account of the Saint's life. A good introduction.
October 8, 2013
While I was reading Francis of Assisi: The Life I kept thinking of a recent sermon by one of our parish priests, he said when we die it will not matter how much money we saved for retirement, how good our health insurance was, how big our home was, or what kind of car we had - the only thing that would matter would be if we were a virtuous person and I think we all know this but we rarely think about it. Saint Francis came from a family that was wealthy but he gave up his wealth to devote his life to serving Christ on the Cross and in the Eucharist with the goal of going to heaven but his life was not an easy one.
This biography focuses on what is actually know about Saint Francis not the legends and fanciful stories. He didn't eat a lot of meat but he wasn't a vegetarian either. He had many personal struggles he never wanted to be a leader he wanted to show by his example of obedience to God's will and not tell people what to do. He lived a life of penance but still berated himself over small things. There was a fire once where he was living and he ran out taking the blanket he slept under and afterwards he was ashamed of his greed in saving the blanket and gave it up. Sometimes when reading this I felt like saying give yourself a break you're only human. He never wanted his followers to accept money he wanted them to accept only food or needed items because with accepting the vow of poverty the goal wasn't store up money but to live day by day with trusting God for what they needed each day not worrying about the next. He told the cook not to soak the beans over night but to start soaking them after the morning prayers.
Pope Francis is the first pope to chose this name and he is following St Francis' example of serving the poor. St Francis did not want this followers to live in comfortable residences and the pope has moved to a smaller apartment also Francis didn't want his followers to ride horses and Pope Francis is driving a smaller car.
This book is short but covers so much worth knowing about him and how he has influenced our Catholic faith and how his example can help us lead a life closer to God. Read as a netgalley copy.
This biography focuses on what is actually know about Saint Francis not the legends and fanciful stories. He didn't eat a lot of meat but he wasn't a vegetarian either. He had many personal struggles he never wanted to be a leader he wanted to show by his example of obedience to God's will and not tell people what to do. He lived a life of penance but still berated himself over small things. There was a fire once where he was living and he ran out taking the blanket he slept under and afterwards he was ashamed of his greed in saving the blanket and gave it up. Sometimes when reading this I felt like saying give yourself a break you're only human. He never wanted his followers to accept money he wanted them to accept only food or needed items because with accepting the vow of poverty the goal wasn't store up money but to live day by day with trusting God for what they needed each day not worrying about the next. He told the cook not to soak the beans over night but to start soaking them after the morning prayers.
Pope Francis is the first pope to chose this name and he is following St Francis' example of serving the poor. St Francis did not want this followers to live in comfortable residences and the pope has moved to a smaller apartment also Francis didn't want his followers to ride horses and Pope Francis is driving a smaller car.
This book is short but covers so much worth knowing about him and how he has influenced our Catholic faith and how his example can help us lead a life closer to God. Read as a netgalley copy.
January 11, 2015
This book is about the well-known Italian holy man known as Francis of Assisi. Known for many things, he is found in religious works, historical narratives, and secular press. This biography does assume you have heard of the man. Otherwise, why would you be reading it? Francis of Assisi is the typical Franciscan monk in paintings and statues: brown robe with white cords, decorating gardens. Even Pope Francis I selected the name as a homage tribute to what the name is known for: the protection of nature, commitment to simplicity, and dedication to the poor. Francis of Assisi is the typical representation of the end result of spiritual pursuits by non-Christians. This book asserts that each generation as made, and remade, the understanding of Saint Francis into one better understood in their own language.
With this in mind, the publishers have chosen to look at who the real Francis is, not the one known to society over the years. In this pursuit, many tales that seem out of character of historical narrative, such as those that bestow Saint-like powers, are not considered for the framework of the character of Francis. The authors admit the struggles to learn the real Francis, not the one created by legends. This book painstakingly looks at this situations and early writings, scrutinizing them in an attempt to clearly indicate the true understanding of Saint Francis of Assisi. The work put into this is very similar to the work that many individuals have put into determining the authenticity, and provenance, of the Bible itself. A good academic read, but not for the light reader, for certain.
Disclosure: I was contracted to write an honest review in exchange for a reviewer copy of the product. The opinions stated in this review are solely my own.
With this in mind, the publishers have chosen to look at who the real Francis is, not the one known to society over the years. In this pursuit, many tales that seem out of character of historical narrative, such as those that bestow Saint-like powers, are not considered for the framework of the character of Francis. The authors admit the struggles to learn the real Francis, not the one created by legends. This book painstakingly looks at this situations and early writings, scrutinizing them in an attempt to clearly indicate the true understanding of Saint Francis of Assisi. The work put into this is very similar to the work that many individuals have put into determining the authenticity, and provenance, of the Bible itself. A good academic read, but not for the light reader, for certain.
Disclosure: I was contracted to write an honest review in exchange for a reviewer copy of the product. The opinions stated in this review are solely my own.
March 24, 2014
Just the facts and that is what this book is. It's downright disappointing at times, the real life of Francis as opposed to the almost legendary tales of his life you read in the books about the saints. It's tedious reading, dry but also informative. Francis had many issues. What was ascribed to the devil we would call PTSD and insomnia. He also could have had malaria. He was a true ascetic and a selfless man. He was also difficult to get along with and his devoted followers sound like the real saints. He had no skill at administration and organization. He was charismatic yet he did not want to be a leader but he was a leader. His life was filled with flight from responsibility yet he could not relinquish control. His greatest moment, I believe, was during the Crusades when he went through Muslim lines to meet the Sultan-to convert him to Christianity. Instead of executing Francis he was held and returned safely to the Crusader lines. Francis just wanted to lead a life of denial and perhaps was surprised he attracted so many followers. He was a lay penitent and his order grew into a order of priests which would have surprised him. He died much too young, no doubt due to his self-denial of medical treatment. The Church quickly canonized him within two years of his death. He was a "rock star" of the time in Italy and he did not seek anything but privacy and solitude to worship God.
June 19, 2014
This is a wonderful biography for so many reasons. It presents Francis as a real man who was trying to serve God. It shows us how he was revolutionary in his time as well as how he was a product of his time. it tells us how other biographers have presented events in order to show him for their cause. This one doesn't do that. It just shows us who he is and how he arrived there.
It is also easy to read. It could very easily become bogged down in details of people and places of Mideval times. This author does a great job of giving information without too many details. We find out what is necessary about a person or a place. One does not need to know anything about Francis previously nor does a person need to know anything about the time period. It is written so well that one does not even need to know much about the Catholic religion.
It is a fabulous unbiased biography of this man.
It is also easy to read. It could very easily become bogged down in details of people and places of Mideval times. This author does a great job of giving information without too many details. We find out what is necessary about a person or a place. One does not need to know anything about Francis previously nor does a person need to know anything about the time period. It is written so well that one does not even need to know much about the Catholic religion.
It is a fabulous unbiased biography of this man.
May 12, 2014
Fairly dry but sober account of St. Francis' life. A pretty unlikeable fellow as portrayed by Thompson. Sounds like he probably suffered PTSD after coming back from war which would explain his erratic behavior and the treatment of his family. Sounds like he was conflicted and depressed his entire life. A bleak portrait of an unlikely saint. I'm going to read Andre Vauchez' biography to perhaps balance it out a little. One thing is certain, the St. Francis of mythology (hagiography) is not the same individual as the St. Francis of history.
August 10, 2014
Simply outstanding! This biography distinguishes between pious exaggeration and the truth of Francis' life. The result is intriguing and rewarding, a must read for anyone interested in St. Francis!
July 12, 2015
A really interesting biography of the Saint. Great for those who, like me, are interested to learn more about one of the heroes of Christian faith.
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July 24, 2024feels like every sentence contains some fact or term worth remembering or understanding. for a purely academic book it wasn’t as dry as i thought it’d be, will probs reread in the future 😌
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews