Joan of Arc

by Hilaire Belloc

There are volumes on the story of Saint Joan of Arc (even by famous Protestant authors), but can you imagine a better version than the documentation by one of the greatest Catholic authors of this century, Hilaire Belloc. In his characteristic style, Belloc carefully tells the complete story in the most compelling manner. A great story, a great saint, a great author. You won't be able to set it down, a Catholic treasure. Gold embossed cloth.

Genres: History, Catholic, Biography, Religion, Nonfiction, Audiobook, European History

92 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, French-born British writer, is considered a master of light English prose and also widely known for his droll verse, especially The Bad Child's Book of Beasts in 1896.

The sharp wit of Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across a large literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Throughout his career, he prolifically wrote across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.

Cautionary Tales for Children collects humorous yet dark morals, and the historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promoted and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism, alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.

In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made him a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.

Reviews

[Roger Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simply beautiful ...

Admittedly, I ADORE this author and would like to let any fellow Belloc fans know I have a growing archive of pieces about him at my website here: http://corjesusacratissimum.org/tag/h...

Shameless self-promotion aside, there is something notably different about this slim volume from HB. He was able to devote an inordinate amount of time to polishing the prose - a luxury he rarely had time for with his other historical works.

The result is that the astonishing history of Joan of Arc is told with remarkable grace and loveliness. Line after line is almost like poetry.

The book was clearly very special to Belloc's heart ... and is to mine.

UPDATE: I have now added a longer review of this book to my site - link here: http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2014/...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much to be appreciated in this book. It's conversational tone makes the reader feel as though Belloc was speaking directly to them. It is rich with history but told in such a way that is very engaging. Sadly, there is next to nothing about the trial itself. This book would've benefited by a few more chapters explaining the trial and her testimony.

I am eager to read Mark Twain's personal recollections of Joan of arc because I suspect it will be a much more thorough but equally engaging account.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first thorough reading of any kind about the Maid of Orleans. Belloc's dense, formal style feels fitting to the story but is quite difficult to follow. I felt that I was reading as careful a history as could be made, with little imaginative addition, but also minimal explanation. Still the story is gripping and fascinating. I still can't decide what to make of her....

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing almost nothing about the saint, I tried this short book. It's a very good summary of her life. A young illiterate girl leads the king's army.

Now to Twain's book of historical fiction to read more about Joan.

[Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 estrellas.
Concisa biografía de la Doncella de Orléans, por un escritor al que llevaba tiempo queriendo leer.

Con un lenguaje florido pero sumamente ameno, Belloc nos lleva de la mano en un viaje por la vida de la Pucelle, desde su infancia en Domrémy hasta su ejecución a manos de los ingleses. No faltan los episodios místicos, así como la descripción de las batallas en las que estuvo involucrada; tampoco las menciones a los intereses mezquinos por parte de los oportunistas políticos de siempre.

En lo personal, hubiese preferido una descripción más detallada del juicio; demasiado breve teniendo en cuenta lo fundamental (e injusto) que fue este acontecimiento. No obstante, considero a este libro como una muy buena introducción para quien desee adentrarse en la historia de uno de los personajes más renombrados de su época.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a very poetic style, this book has more the "feel" of a ballad. It is a simple, lovely, account of Joan of Arc. The account of her final days and hours before being burnt at the stake are heartbreaking.

[Viktoria Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite intriguing volume on the story of Saint Joan of Arc, short but very informative at the same time. It’s a biography that highlights the historical context of Joan’s life and yet proceeds to do that in an entertaining manner.

“Joan, they say you would repel me. Now, whether you are from God or the Devil, I know not. But if from God I fear nothing, for He knows my heart is loyal; but if from the Devil, then I fear you not at all.”

[Marilina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestamente, no conocía la historia de Juana de Arco, sabía quién era pero no cómo había llegado a hacerse su nombre. Así que estaba bastante intrigada de cómo se daba, me pareció interesante la forma en que el autor narra la historia, ya que lo hace como si fuera un cuento y no proporcionando datos al azar. Es un libro corto, por tanto, la historia está contada a grandes rasgos, contando cómo Juana se convirtió en esta figura y cómo logró llevar a cabo sus cometidos.
Al principio estaba un poco escéptica porque ya había leído a este autor y no me había gustado. En sus libros están influenciados por su religión y eso genera que tome partido ante ciertos aspectos que yo no comparto. Sin embargo, ya siendo por la figura y por la época, lo encontré bastante más tolerable.
En fin, es una historia interesante y que, como ya mencioné, está narrada de una forma entretenida.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Belloc but thought this biography was a little dry. It may be better to read than to listen to.

[Tommy Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how easily readable and immersive this was. I was expecting it to be dry for some reason, and it was not, at all. It's written in a beautifully floral style, but the narrative is still always front and center. I finished it in just 3 days. I much prefer it to Mark Twain's Joan of Arc.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

believe it or not, I really am not trying to own every book written on Joan of Arc.

[Michael Gietl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan of Arc by Hilaire Belloc provides an interesting life of Joan in a fast read of 73 pages. Belloc is a well-known Catholic author from the first half of the 20th century. He is renowned as one of the Big Four of Edwardian Letters-- in good company with H G Wells, George Bernard Shaw, and G K Chesterton. Born in France and raised in England, he can see the story of Joan of Arc from both sides of the English Channel.

The book reads very smoothly beginning with a simple outlay of the 100 Years War, which was a battle for the crown of France. All the key players were related— Henry VI of England, Charles VII of France, The Duke of Burgundy, and The Duke of Orleans as well as some minor players. Belloc explains this mess in a simple to understand manner that takes 11 pages.

Orleans had been under siege for 7 months and was about to fall when St. Joan of Arc enters the scene. If Orleans falls, The English would control a major city nearly the size of Paris and a principal bridge that crosses the Loire River. This would allow the English to move against the land held by Charles VII and most likely there would be no more France.

Joan is a peasant girl, 17 years old that hears voices from heaven while tending her family’s livestock. They tell her to go the King and lead troops to break the siege on Orleans and then to get the king crowned in Rheims, which is in Burgundian territory. This was a dangerous mission since Burgundy was allied with the English.

Joan comes to Chinon to meet the Dauphin as she calls Charles because he is not anointed king yet. Charles has run out of options and is near despair, but can he turn over what is left of the French army to a 17 year old girl that can’t read or write, has never ridden a war horse, and never seen a battle? He places another person on the throne and disguises himself. She looks around in the large room and comes straight to him. When he denies being the King she replies, “In God’s name, Sir, you are the King and no other! Give me troops wherewith to succour Orleans and to guard you to Rheims to be anointed and crowned. For it is the will of God.” The answer reveals Joan’s deep faith and confidence.

I won’t spoil the rest of the story for you. The book is galvanizing and hard to put down. I am not a fast reader, but read it on a weekend. You will be amazed how devout Joan is, frequently attending Mass and receiving the sacraments of communion and confession. She had priests hear the confession of all her army before a battle. Everything she predicted came true. Her Captains fully trusted her because of miraculous events that happened. When they arrived with food and supplies for Orleans, the boats couldn’t move on the Loire River because the wind was blowing the opposite way. Joan arrives and the wind completely reverses direction. The Bastard of Orleans said he always trusted her after he saw that. During an attack, she told The Duke of Alencon to move or a cannon she pointed out would kill him. He moved and the cannon fired and killed another who stepped up into his place.

There is no human explanation for all that Joan accomplished. This book wets the appetite and many will want to read more about this hero and saint.

[ProsePioneer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilaire Belloc’s Joan of Arc is a deeply moving and beautifully written account of one of the Church’s most astonishing figures. I found myself completely captivated by Belloc’s style — eloquent, vivid, and reverent. He doesn’t just recount the facts of St. Joan’s life; he enters into the spirit of her mission with the heart of a Catholic and the mind of a historian.

What I loved most was how Belloc so clearly sees Joan not merely as a historical figure, but as a saint — chosen, brave, and utterly faithful to God’s will. He honors her spiritual depth and her courage without ever sentimentalizing her story. It’s refreshing to read a biography that isn’t afraid to present miracles as real and divine providence as central to history.

This is not just a history book — it’s a meditation on sanctity, courage, and divine mission. A truly beautiful read for anyone who loves Joan, France, or the Church. Highly recommended!

[John Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

With antiquated phrasing and simple unembellished details, lending this read a poetic and lyric rendering, Belloc delivers a short account of the events that flesh out Divine intervention in early fifteenth century northern France. God's instrument to effect the cause for Charles VII is the one affectionatly named the Maid, and will be know in time as Saint Joan of Arc.

[Jean Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a Plutarch life- Dense but also marches forward at a good clip. (This book is only 73 pages.) There's something beautiful in Belloc's straight forward and forceful account, especially of her last days- No frills or sentiment just heartbreak.

[Tom Baikin-O'hayon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a medieval chronicle. I e, boring and too religious

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit hard to read because the writing was older but a good quick rundown of who Joan was and her story.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short biography Joan of Arc. An informative and interesting read.

[Zbigniew Zdziarski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Twain did a much better job at presenting Joan's life and amazing achievements. But it was still and interesting, albeit short, read.

[Caley Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good summary of St. Joan of Arc’s life that is less of a dry historical account and more like a fantastic medieval chronicle or ballad.

[Cayoyin · Rating 5 out of 5]

very concise and matter of fact

Exactly what I was looking for! Straight matter of fact history with dates, places, and names. I enjoyed this reading.

[Muriel Torres · Rating 2 out of 5]

Al principio cuando se cuenta el contexto histórico se dan por sentado varios hechos como conocidos por todos y cuesta seguirle el hilo. En el momento que aparece Juana es más llevadera la lectura.

[Nick Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I leap out of the depths of prayer from 8 day silent retreat, I now have the joy of vomiting out all the lives of the Saints that I have consumed these past days. First up is Joan of Arc

[William Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to Joan, but frustratingly brief and without epilogue. Still, anything by Belloc is worth reading, especially a summary of Joan's deeds.

[Jack Hrkach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected, I still enjoyed this. It's less a history than an extended ode, and it worked for me, though It also left me wanting to know more about the Maid, and I'll probably do so, as I head to France in just over a week. Perhaps this time a more recent and standard history.

My former encounters with Joan were on stage, first in a college production of Saint Joan by GBS - great play! Interestingly there is actually more detail in the play than in Belloc's short poetic homage. I played de Stogumber, a priest rabid for Joan to burn, but who went batty after the fire. In a much more recent reading of the same play at Ithaca College I must confess I cannot remember who I played! But I enjoyed both experiences, as I enjoyed this read. You might too, but don't go for it expecting historical detail!

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what I wanted in a biography of Joan of Arc... no stodgy history, just sensationalist mythology; it starts out "Five hundred years ago, and more, there was in France an old mad King whose wife was a German harlot, mocking him."

[Karina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had no trouble putting it down. Hilaire Belloc's 'unique style,' is rushed, unnecessarily flowery and a grammatical disaster. I want my $ back!