Blessed Are the Meek

Krzyżowcy #3

by Zofia Kossak

The famous novel about St. Francis of Assisi by Polish historical novelist Zofia Kossak-Szczucka, known for her WWII resistance work. Novel was written while her husband was in a concentraton camp. Kossak herself spent a year in a German camp. From the cover: "Set against the background of one of the most tumultuous and exciting periods of history -- the early part of the Thirteenth Century -- the years of the Fifth Crusade to deliver Jerusalem from the infidels and the tragic Children's Crusade... To Rome comes the gentle Francis of Assisi and his devoted band, preacing a new gospel of love and simplicity..."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Polish Literature, Literature

375 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Polish writer, a catholic activist and a World War II resistance fighter, co-founder the wartime Polish organization Żegota, set up to assist Poland's Jews in escaping the Holocaust. In 1943, she was arrested by the Germans and sent to Auschwitz Concentration Camp.She was released through the efforts of the Polish underground and returned to Warsaw. In late 1944, she participated in the Warsaw Uprising. After the war she moved to Western Europe, but returned to Poland in 1957 where she remained until her death in 1968 at the age of seventy-eight. In 2009, the National Bank of Poland issued a coin posthumously commemorating the work of Kossak, Irena Sendler and Matylda Getter in helping Jews escape from from the Nazis during World War II.

Maiden name: Kossak
After her first marriage: Kossak-Szczucka
After her second marriage: Kossak-Szatkowska

Her cousins were Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska and Magdalena Samozwaniec.

Reviews

[Ted Manahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel based on St Francis of Assisi's life and times. Interesting historical perspective. St Francis comes off as a bit of a lunatic, but it worked for him!

[Rzeznik Malgorzata · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical piece regarding the Fifth Crusade with most of the novel following the parallel and slightly intertwined stories of St. Francis of Assisi and Jean de Brienne. Kossak covers several ethical issues from a Christian viewpoint without delving too deeply into the theology behind it. A solid read especially for pleasure that will still teach you a little bit of history and truth.

[C. R. Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about the life of Francis of Assisi. Any Catholic or inquirer should read this book. It's a very good entry-level read for the life of a saint. :)

[James Taunton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the tragedy of events driven by selfishness, the absurdity of humility is found to open the doors of mercy left hidden by our Lord. Only those contrite in spirit are given the keys.

[Lynette Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I'm a "recovering" Catholic, the only thing I knew about Francis of Assisi was that he loved animals. This book put some flesh on him, albeit, very little because he begged for his supper.

Francis is not the main character. Rather he flits in and out of the story. The main character is the King of Jerusalem who is a French knight of past crusades and who is caught between two women--a troubadour delight.

This book mentions the Children's Crusade and the evil men who conspired to kidnap them in order to sell them into slavery. Of the 5000 children who joined this crusade, almost all perished.

Personally, I think holy wars are such a waste of time and resources. I cringe when I think of warring religions. Somehow, I don't believe that was what God had in mind.

[Kamil Gruner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Z faktami to ma wspólne ogóły ale piękne.

[Chris Hakanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring.

[Ángel López · Rating 5 out of 5]

No encuentro aquí la edición en español que yo he leído, que se hizo en Argentina hace muchos años. Un libro que llega muy dentro, de los que me han marcado.

[Ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical novel steeped in the Christian worldview, Blessed are the Meek explores sin and its consequences in the context of the 5th Crusade and the life of Francis of Assisi. Skillfully blending history, legend, a deep Christian spirituality, and great insight into human nature, Kossak has crafted a novel which richly deserves its title, as the entire novel is an exploration of the truth of Jesus' teaching from which the novel takes its name.

[Michelle m · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historically interesting, a bit of dry read.

[Rdb]

Read 106 of 375 pages.