St. Joan of Arc

by John Beevers

The 19-year-old saint who defeated England in 15 months, saved her country, crowned its king, and changed history was burned as a heretic. Yet 500 years later, she was canonized and became the patron saint of France. A unique and almost unbelievable story! 192 pgs; PB

Genres: Nonfiction, Catholic, Biography, History

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fantastic.

With a problem. Beevers commendation concerning Cauchon irritated me. Highly irritated me. Actually enraged me.

I mean, really Beever, Cauchon might not have been malicious but truly concerned about Joans soul and body from the fire? I mean, really?

And many of the statements that Cauchon says about Joan or to Joan, Beever just has to say that he thinks that Cauchon was truly genuine in his concern for Joan.... I mean, really?

Read this book - you will see what I mean. Because what Cauchon says, and what Cauchon does are clearly indicative of the maliciousness and angst to get Joan "burnt up". And Beever is clearly aware of this from the Ghetto.

So; what about this book? I loved it. Poor Saint Joan. You truly encounter the history and Saint Joan as a person in her life - all in one.

And Beever is quite good. Because from time to time he eliminates what people have been saying about Joan which is false. And clearly says what is true.

It is truly astonishing what Joan endured, what she did. A peasant girl!!!

Saint Joan, pray for Holy Mother Church. That we are all prepared soldiers ready to fight for our faith- Christ the true King!!!

[Peter Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Beevers gives perhaps the most lucid and succinct account of the complex story of Joan of Arc that is available in English. There are many more excellent books on Joan in English, but I like Beevers' account because it covers all the bases and zeroes in on all the essential issues the non-scholar of Medieval history needs to know about Joan and her milieu. It's a great book for that reason and also because the author has an admiration for his subject that clearly shows while at the same time not sentimentalizing her story or indulging in hero worship. This is a comprehensive but readable book for someone who wants to know about the saint but doesn't want to wade into all the details. Beevers gets at the essence of Joan and tells this awe-inspiring tale from beginning to end.

[Kacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of Joan is filled with challenges to the way I've grown up thinking the Lord's voice sounds like.
Her life fascinates me, because she constantly is being spoken to by different saints who had died before her, and her love for Jesus is so real, I just find myself baffled at how often she hears the voices of saints speaking to her rather than the Lord himself.

I adore her, though, so I thought it was fantastic. The course of history is changed through her, so of course it's worth reading. Especially if you're into hearing stories of women doing bold and courageous things and changing the course of war. ;)

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and it saddened my heart that this nineteen year old woman was persecuted and burned as the result of a trial that was not really authorized as the proper way to attain answers to questions properly, the trial was a farce and mishandled, falsely accusing Joan of being a heretic and a witch. She was later declared to be a Saint and vindicated by the Catholic Church and a heroine of France which she helped to free from foreign enemies. She was devoted to God completely and listened to Him and obeyed what it is He instructed her to do. She knew she would die and never hated her accusers but asked for prayer and for them to forgive any wrongdoings that she might have done as she forgave them for wrongly accusing her and condemning her to death. I believe she is with our Lord in His kingdom and this inspired me to stand stronger in my faith and to listen and obey God above all other voices in a world that has so many temptations and false teachers hoping to ensnare us. I am thankful to God for so many of His people who have gone before us and inspire us to endure through whatever trials may come in our lives and look to Him Who is our Creator to provide all we need to live as only He knows all things and is able to do all things. I am thankful to the author for sharing this inspirational true story with those who have ears to hear and hearts that love God and want to love others!!!

[Harley Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have been better if the author had not made excuses for Cauchon.

[Craig Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

In turns informative and amusing, this hagiography of Saint Joan of Arc (or Joan the Maid) is ultimately a moving account of a young woman who sacrificed all for her ideals and her faith. Thanks to the preservation of documents from her trial and rehabilitation within the church, the book contains a rich set of lengthy quotes from primary sources. This book is definitely a hagiography rather than a true history book or biography. It contains no footnotes, references, or formal citations of sources. Indeed, at times the author's blatant opinionating made me chuckle. Beevers' conspiratorial asides aside, he hews closely to Joan's story and keeps the pacing tight. As Beevers related her words and deeds, I was able to get a sense for who Joan was as a person and for the times she lived in. Her strength and nobility of bearing at her trial is phenomenal, all the more so when you consider the constant psychological assault she endured for over a year of captivity. Ultimately, the outcome of the trial was a forgone conclusion due to political pressures. In the end, she was convicted as a relapsed heretic because she wore men's clothing after she had agreed to stop doing so. Shocking to our museum sensibilities and yet somehow, sadly, still relevant today. Canonized in 1920, 489 years after her death, she remains a compelling figure, at once familiar and enigmatic.

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only ever read novels from Beevers so this was my first time reading what was a cross between biography and historical commentary. I think it's an excellent short resume for those who do not know too much about St. Joan who want to have a basis from which to investigate further.

(regarding the Hundred Years' War) "It established France and freed England from too intense a preoccupation with the mainland of Europe. Both these things could have been accomplished without such slaughter, and England must take most of the blame for this century of bloodshed." (p. 17)

"Joan had authority. Everyone who came in contact with her felt it...Joan always made it very plain that the King was her secondary master; she served him and his cause only because that was the task God had given her." (p. 68)

"A kind, brave, loyal, and cheerful person is someone well worth knowing. When such a person gladly and unflinchingly obeys the will of God, you have a saint. Which is what Joan is. It is not her voices, her battles, or her death which have given her that most high and splendid title; not subtlety of mind, theological learning, or savage austerities, but simply an eagerness to do all things and abandon all things for the love of God." (p. 189)

recorded discussion on the book available for purchase here: https://amdgventures.org/catholic-boo...

[Inês · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[adriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

or course a beautiful story. but the writing was lacking.

[Barbara]

pb, Doubleday Image 1962