The Road to Siena: The Essential Biography of St. Catherine

by Edmund G. Gardner, Jon M. Sweeney (Editor)

Catherine of Siena's influence was felt throughout the kingdoms of Europe. She enjoyed the confidence of popes, royalty, and most of all, the common people of Italy. A complicated woman, she was able to speak bluntly to a queen: "Instead of a woman, you have become the servant and slave of nothingness, making yourself the subject of lies and of the demon who is their father"; and also encourage the wife of a simple tailor: "Clothe yourself in the royal virtues." Her story is told in this landmark biography, first published a century ago and praised by Evelyn Underhill as the best modern biography of a saint ever written. Long out of print, this new edition has been slightly abridged and generously supplemented with the reflections of other biographers, historians, and artists--who shed fresh light on what we know about an amazing woman.

Genres: Catholic, Christianity

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Edmund Garret Gardner was an English scholar and writer, specializing in Italian history and literature.

Reviews

[Emma Speer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read about an equally interesting saint. At times this book felt like more of a retelling of middle-age Italian/Catholic politics than a biography. However, though at times hard to follow, the background info was relevant to understanding St. Catherine's impact upon the church. Definitely did a lot of Googling to fill in the gaps, but enjoyed learning nonetheless.

[Paul Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little biography. It's a new edition of a biography written in the early 20th-century. I mention that because this is not your typical modern history or biography. It is very casual, less scholarly, more conversational. He also accepts the worldview of the subject. He speaks of Catherine's ecstasies, miracles, visions, spiritual "eating disorder", and other aspects of her life in a very matter-of-fact way. He does not offer critiques of these incidents nor does he clearly say he believes they were genuine spiritual manifestations. Catherine (and others) said this happened, and so he writes that they reported it happened. No judgment. No analysis. Just telling the story as neither hagiography nor as suspicious modernist treatise. The annotations from the editor of this new edition are genuinely insightful, offering some of those little nuggets that we as modern readers would likely appreciate. Whenever an unfamiliar name pops up, we see a call-out box from the editor telling us who it is. There are asides about Catherine's unhealthy eating habits, views on the Crusades, gender issues, and theological insights.

Regardless of all these issues, Catherine's is a fascinating life that was cut too short (likely due to her own behaviors). I can't say that I would have bought wholeheartedly into her theology and actions at the time, but in hindsight, if one can look past just how odd her mysticism was, and take from it what they can, they can learn so much about this remarkable woman--one of only two women that the Catholic Church has named a "Doctor of the Church". She deserves it.

[Michele Hilton Boon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The strength of this biography is that it makes Catherine's historical context very clear. It explains the politics of Italy and the papacy at the time and Catherine's involvement in both. However, in focusing on this context, Gardner loses sight of Catherine, the individual. I felt that I never got to know who she was or how she became the extraordinary woman who inspired such faith and devotion in others. Although the book is very useful in explaining her role in contemporary politics, I need another biography that will tell me more about her as an individual, as a woman, as a writer, and as a saint.

[Judith Babarsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this biography of St. Catherine. Although other reviewers have commented that there is not enough about St. Catherine and too much about the circumstances surrounding her life and times, it was exactly this that I loved about this book. Gardner puts Catherine in the middle of historical milieu and does a great job of painting a picture of what was going on around her. She lived in a turbulent time for the Church ... between the "Babylonian captivity" when the Popes resided in Avignon, France ... and the Great Schism. She played an instrumental part in convincing Gregory XI to return the papacy to Rome. Humble, yet energetic and dynamic, she navigated the treacherous political waters of her time in ways quite unusual for a woman of her times.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat hard to follow, but an amazing saint nonetheless

[Rebecca Shively · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, but it focuses more on the history of religious turmoil in Europe (everyone is a Pope) than Catherine herself.

[Suzanne Skelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally I picked up this book because after a personal visit to Sienna i was aware of the very basics of St. Catherine's life.

Although a challenging read at times because of the many French and italian names i realized that it gave me a very good overlook of the Catholic church during the 14th century- Filled with "petty wars' between small groups with self-interst as their driving factors. A hard time to do saintly things and even have anyone notice much less care.

I also learned much about Catherine's followers and teachings.

Definately worth the read.

[Catherine Corman · Rating 4 out of 5]

we are fragile like glass

-St. Catherine of Siena