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  <title><![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]></title>
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  <description><![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]></description>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Thu Sep 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[GK Chesterson is a wonderful writer.  He reminds me of C.S. Lewis in that they are both writers of Christian Apologetics but Chesterson knocks Lewis's socks off.<br/><br/>Chesterson says that we can only understand Francis if we think of him as a troubadour of the Middle Ages and accept the fact t...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76324155">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Fri Dec 04 00:00:00 -0800 2009</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[Aprovechando que iba a pasar unos días en La Verna, monasterio franciscano donde el santo recibió los estigmas, retomé la lectura abandonada hace un año de este libro de Chesterton. He reconocer que lo abandoné transcurridas unas pocas páginas, pareciéndome un tostón importante.<br/><br/>S...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80303869">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Lee Ann]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Wed Feb 13 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[I hadn't thought seriously about Francis for a while and this book makes me think I've never thought seriously about him at all.  GK rescues Francis from fuzzy Victorian myth and returns him to a most severe Christianity.  By reading Francis in the light of him time period (the medieval) and in the ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/60722969">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <read_at>Fri Aug 07 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[GK Chesterton was a proper Brit who probably wore a bowler and carried an umbrella around Edwardian London --a brilliant man with a logical, critical, and analytical detachment toward life. St. Francis was this wild song-filled Italian friar with an insane all-you-need-is-love attitude. It's hard to...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64816513">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Nathan]]></name>
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    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[I picked this up when I was thinking about preaching about St. Francis last week - turns out I decided to talk about IKEA and tell a dating story.  But I'm glad I read the book, if only because Chesterton is so hilariously crotchety and interesting: this old donnish grandfather who sits in his study...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7339642">more...</a>]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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  <read_at>Thu May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Jan 15 07:59:52 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Jan 15 08:02:41 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[G.K. Chesterton is too little known in this age, but in my opinion tops the legendary (particularly amongst evangelical circles) C.S. Lewis. Here he presents the fascinating biography of St. Francis in a style that only Chesterton can produce. His magnificent prose does justice to this giant of Chri...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/43116338">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/43116338]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/43116338]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>63568116</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Ian]]></name>
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  <isbn>0385029004</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780385029001</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">28</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130m/174873.jpg</image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.96</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>236</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jul 15 06:08:13 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Jul 15 06:08:34 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A fascinating and unique look at St Francis by one of the greats; rather than simply detailing St Francis' life in biography form, Chesterton takes events from St Francis' life that show his uniqueness, and then weaves theology and Franciscan practice around them. Thus the life and beliefs of this g...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63568116">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63568116]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63568116]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>35742432</id>
    <user>
    <id>1360684</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Chelsea]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Salt Lake City, UT]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1360684-chelsea]]></link>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">5142150</id>
  <isbn>0486469239</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780486469232</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">2</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[St. Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-111x148.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5142150.St_Francis_of_Assisi</link>
  <average_rating>3.60</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>5</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[&lt;DIV&gt;&lt;DIV&gt;&lt;DIV&gt;The patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, Francis of Assisi led the rediscovery of nature in the Christian West. This accessible spiritual biography by a phenomenally popular author chronicles the beloved saint's calling, order, and influence. Its charm and wit will appeal to even the most secular-minded readers.&lt;/DIV&gt;&lt;/DIV&gt;&lt;/DIV&gt;]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[People interested if both radically self-less love and reckless trust in mankind can actually work.]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[Br. Robert at St. Catherine of Sienna in SLC, Utah]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Tue Nov 11 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Oct 19 23:48:18 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Nov 12 10:39:42 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[There are quotes from this book that I will forever hold dear to my heart. He also painted a lovely picture of Christ and His love for humanity- one I have never considered or seen before.<br/><br/><br/><br/>I really had a hard time, however, getting through the first few chapters of this book. ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35742432">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35742432]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35742432]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>74749700</id>
    <user>
    <id>2093781</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Darren]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Edmonton, AB, Canada]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2093781-darren-corpe]]></link>
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  <id type="integer">174873</id>
  <isbn>0385029004</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780385029001</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">28</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130m/174873.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130s/174873.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.96</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>236</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
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            <shelf name="catholic" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Oct 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Oct 16 12:55:05 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Oct 16 13:00:49 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book read more like one of Chesterton's personal dilemmas.  That historians write about historical figures without giving historical context.  He rambles on about how to write a good biography rather than actually teaching the reader.  I found it difficult to read.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74749700]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74749700]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>74165769</id>
    <user>
    <id>756362</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Joe]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/756362-joe]]></link>
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  <id type="integer">174873</id>
  <isbn>0385029004</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780385029001</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">28</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130m/174873.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130s/174873.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174873.Saint_Francis_of_Assisi</link>
  <average_rating>3.96</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>236</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Oct 11 09:38:04 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Oct 25 10:12:38 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book was not quite what I expected, but still very good.  It seemed as if the author was describing only what was happening around St Francis during his life, but towards the end I realized that by doing this I had a very good understanding of his life.  It was an interesting technique, and I p...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74165769">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74165769]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74165769]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>41868799</id>
    <user>
    <id>757803</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Kristin]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/757803-kristin]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1199820128p3/757803.jpg]]></image_url>
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  <id type="integer">174873</id>
  <isbn>0385029004</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780385029001</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">28</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130m/174873.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130s/174873.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174873.Saint_Francis_of_Assisi</link>
  <average_rating>3.96</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>236</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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            <shelf name="to-read" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Jan 04 13:57:00 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Apr 03 08:17:32 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[St. Francis was truly remarkable, but this book doesn't really tell you all about his life.  The author admits that this book is just an introduction to who St. Francis was in the context of the time period he lived.  <br/><br/>The hardest part about this book is getting past the author's style.  ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41868799">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41868799]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/41868799]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>68892587</id>
    <user>
    <id>1012909</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Curtiss]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Vancouver, WA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1012909-curtiss]]></link>
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  <isbn>0385029004</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780385029001</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">28</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130m/174873.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130s/174873.jpg</small_image_url>
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  <average_rating>3.96</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>236</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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        <shelf name="read" />
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Aug 25 18:58:20 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Aug 25 18:59:21 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A gentle look at this most gentle of saints, by the great defender of Cristianity, G.K. Chesterton.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68892587]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68892587]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>11305857</id>
    <user>
    <id>32097</id>
    <name><![CDATA[cat]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Portland, OR]]></location>
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  <isbn>0385029004</isbn>
  <isbn13>9780385029001</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">28</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130m/174873.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172431130s/174873.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174873.Saint_Francis_of_Assisi</link>
  <average_rating>3.96</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>236</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Dec 30 18:28:59 -0800 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Feb 18 11:03:07 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[G.K Chesterton is my favorite newly discovered Christian writer. Like CS Lewis, he is aware of his failing humanity, and also so keenly in love with God and faith. I am not that far in, but this is shaping up to be a really great read...<br/><br/>[edited to add: this was actually a fantastic read....<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11305857">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/11305857]]></url>
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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  <average_rating>3.96</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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  <published>1960</published>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <read_at>Thu Sep 17 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
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    <body><![CDATA[I am a fan of St Francis of Assisi and I have read a number of books about him. This book was the best so far. Chesterton gives Francis the best glory by putting him in his historical context. We see Francis as a man and a force for man's humanity to man. He basically changed the spirtuality of Euro...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62646734">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62646734]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>70646044</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Lauren]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
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    <body><![CDATA[I can't say that I learned a whole lot about St. Francis, or that I have a more favorable view of him, but there were a few very good lines and points.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70646044]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>57736311</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Laura]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[St. Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[&lt;DIV&gt;&lt;DIV&gt;&lt;DIV&gt;The patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, Francis of Assisi led the rediscovery of nature in the Christian West. This accessible spiritual biography by a phenomenally popular author chronicles the beloved saint's calling, order, and influence. Its charm and wit will appeal to even the most secular-minded readers.&lt;/DIV&gt;&lt;/DIV&gt;&lt;/DIV&gt;]]>
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  <published>1960</published>
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    <body><![CDATA[St. Francis of Assisi (Dover Philosophical Classics) by G. K. Chesterton (2008)]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/57736311]]></url>
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      <review>
  <id>45637352</id>
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    <name><![CDATA[Matt]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
  </title>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
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    <rating>5</rating>
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  <date_added>Sat Feb 07 06:18:48 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Feb 07 06:18:48 -0800 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Highly inspiring biography of a very selfless man.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/45637352]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/45637352]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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    <id>2896988</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Michael]]></name>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
  </description>
  <published>1960</published>
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    <body><![CDATA[Really good.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76317847]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76317847]]></link>
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[Very inspiring]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70039690]]></url>
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    <![CDATA[Saint Francis of Assisi]]>
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    <![CDATA[There are certainly many studies of Saint Francis of Assisi that an interested reader might find and many of them immensely praiseworthy. But in reading G.K. Chesterton on Francis, you get two glories for one: first is an enlightening study of this most beloved of Christian saints and second is Chesterton himself, one of the great Christian writers of the 20th century, who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1922 because, it has been said, &quot;only the Roman Church could produce a St. Francis of Assisi.&quot;  Published shortly after his conversion, Chesterton wrote this book in part to reclaim Francis for the church. There are always those who want to claim Francis for their cause, Chesterton recognized, who also fail to understand the spiritual and intellectual ground upon which he stands. Chesterton would return Francis to Christ. As he summarizes, &quot;however wild and romantic his gyrations might appear to many, [Francis] always hung on to reason by one invisible and indestructible hair.... The great saint was sane.... He was not a mere eccentric because he was always turning towards the center and heart of the maze; he took the queerest and most zigzag shortcuts through the wood, but he was always going home.&quot; <p>  As one editor of Chesterton's puts it, &quot;of St. Francis he might have said what he said about Blake: 'We always feel that he is saying something very plain and emphatic even when we have not the wildest notion of what it is.'&quot; <em>--Doug Thorpe</em></p>]]>
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    <body><![CDATA[Excellent.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/58769641]]></url>
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