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Joan of Arc
A biography of the peasant girl who led the French army to victory against the English and paved the way for the coronation of King Charles VII. This is a facsimile of the original 1896 French edition.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1896
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 7, 2017
Subject
Joan of Arc (1412-1431) is a Roman Catholic saint who is considered a French heroine for her role in The Hundred Years' War.
Scope
This book gives a brief introduction to Joan's childhood, then describes her earliest religious visions before jumping into her involvement in the Hundred Years' War where she bravely fought to restore Charles VII as the French king, under the guidance of Saints Michael the Archangel, Catherine, and Margaret.
About the Illustrations
The illustrations use delicate lines and intricate details to bring Joan's world to life. There are many battle scenes shown in the pictures, which include all the armor, swords, horses, torches, and ships any young reader could want. Wherever Joan appears on a page, her face always looks as though she is seeing and hearing things things that others cannot, and she shows a calmness and determination that really help the reader understand her attitude toward battle, and toward doing the will of God.
Author's Note
The original book does not seem to have an author's note, but the facsimile edition I read has an "Introduction" section preceding the text. This note, written by Pierpont Morgan Library's Curator of Early Children's Books, Gerald Gottlieb, lays out the political and military climate of Joan's time and explains how she became involved in the war. It also discusses the records from her time that make it possible for us to know all we do about her today.
Additional Comments
This is a truly inspiring book. Though it was written in the 1890s, it holds up just as well as, if not better than, any contemporary picture book biography. Kids who are not familiar with French history or geography might benefit from reading the book with a map nearby, as there are many place names mentioned that didn't mean anything to me. But even without much geographical knowledge, kids will love reading about Joan's exhilarating experience bringing her country to victory, and the agony of her suffering as she is later mistreated and punished for doing God's will. It's remarkable how much Joan's story parallels Christ's death, and for that understanding alone, every Catholic child should read this book.
Joan of Arc (1412-1431) is a Roman Catholic saint who is considered a French heroine for her role in The Hundred Years' War.
Scope
This book gives a brief introduction to Joan's childhood, then describes her earliest religious visions before jumping into her involvement in the Hundred Years' War where she bravely fought to restore Charles VII as the French king, under the guidance of Saints Michael the Archangel, Catherine, and Margaret.
About the Illustrations
The illustrations use delicate lines and intricate details to bring Joan's world to life. There are many battle scenes shown in the pictures, which include all the armor, swords, horses, torches, and ships any young reader could want. Wherever Joan appears on a page, her face always looks as though she is seeing and hearing things things that others cannot, and she shows a calmness and determination that really help the reader understand her attitude toward battle, and toward doing the will of God.
Author's Note
The original book does not seem to have an author's note, but the facsimile edition I read has an "Introduction" section preceding the text. This note, written by Pierpont Morgan Library's Curator of Early Children's Books, Gerald Gottlieb, lays out the political and military climate of Joan's time and explains how she became involved in the war. It also discusses the records from her time that make it possible for us to know all we do about her today.
Additional Comments
This is a truly inspiring book. Though it was written in the 1890s, it holds up just as well as, if not better than, any contemporary picture book biography. Kids who are not familiar with French history or geography might benefit from reading the book with a map nearby, as there are many place names mentioned that didn't mean anything to me. But even without much geographical knowledge, kids will love reading about Joan's exhilarating experience bringing her country to victory, and the agony of her suffering as she is later mistreated and punished for doing God's will. It's remarkable how much Joan's story parallels Christ's death, and for that understanding alone, every Catholic child should read this book.
February 13, 2017
This is a great book with history. Louis Maurice Boutet de Monvel (1851-1913) was a French academic painter. His masterpiece was "Joan of Arc" published in 1896. The French art world understood that he had a created a new style of book illustration for children. His style with water color detailing influenced childrens book illustrations for years after.
The book is better for adults and older children. The text is length and the young children will not enjoy it. These are the gems in the library.
The book is better for adults and older children. The text is length and the young children will not enjoy it. These are the gems in the library.
August 4, 2025
3 August 2025
A few years back we went to the National and I was captivated by Boutet de Monvel's art. I spent a long time appreciating the detail in the fabric worn by the court. Exquisite. To not give the wrong impression though, I should add that I also paid attention to the art with cats in it. The joy is in the ability to linger in front of any work or exhibit in any of our state and federal museums.
The opportunity to see art like this is such a gift. I wish everyone had that opportunity and the resources required, regardless of whether or which they might choose.
The first time I read this I didn't pay much attention to the text. I get the whole aim of stirring the nation to a strong national pride, and maybe it helped people through the terrible wars to come. That Joan rallied troops to fight back is valuable enough, I understand. But this version of her story is so compressed. She's 16 and volunteering, she leads a resistance that frees Orleans and gets the not very promising Dauphin crowned as King, and is martyred at 19 somehow in less than a month, it feels like.
That's beside the point for me. I love the art.
Personal copy
A few years back we went to the National and I was captivated by Boutet de Monvel's art. I spent a long time appreciating the detail in the fabric worn by the court. Exquisite. To not give the wrong impression though, I should add that I also paid attention to the art with cats in it. The joy is in the ability to linger in front of any work or exhibit in any of our state and federal museums.
The opportunity to see art like this is such a gift. I wish everyone had that opportunity and the resources required, regardless of whether or which they might choose.
The first time I read this I didn't pay much attention to the text. I get the whole aim of stirring the nation to a strong national pride, and maybe it helped people through the terrible wars to come. That Joan rallied troops to fight back is valuable enough, I understand. But this version of her story is so compressed. She's 16 and volunteering, she leads a resistance that frees Orleans and gets the not very promising Dauphin crowned as King, and is martyred at 19 somehow in less than a month, it feels like.
That's beside the point for me. I love the art.
Personal copy
April 13, 2020
Publicado en 1896, "Juana de Arco" es un precedente de los actuales álbumes ilustrados. El texto es correcto, sin grandes virtuosismos. Pero las ilustraciones, el diseño global del álbum son una auténtica obra de arte.
Las ilustraciones recuerdan a los pintores prerrafaelitas. O sea a Barry Windor-Smith i a P. Craig Rusell, que yo de arte ni papa.
Las ilustraciones recuerdan a los pintores prerrafaelitas. O sea a Barry Windor-Smith i a P. Craig Rusell, que yo de arte ni papa.
January 19, 2016
Absolutely glorious. Hard to believe this masterpiece in children's literature is over a century old. Brilliant use of color and design.
October 20, 2025
A really gorgeous book with all the lush detailed illustrations you could wish for (lush and hygienic - the abundant battle scenes show not a speck of blood).
I feel like any good telling of Joan of Arc must be done by a total sympathizer, however mystified and speculative the reader may feel afterward. This is such a devout retelling - I read it aloud to the kids in a slightly long single sitting.
I feel like any good telling of Joan of Arc must be done by a total sympathizer, however mystified and speculative the reader may feel afterward. This is such a devout retelling - I read it aloud to the kids in a slightly long single sitting.
August 29, 2019
I always have the life of a saint open-always! This small tome on the life of one of the most brilliant and spiritually steadfast females to serve God is breathtaking. God’s gift of our relationship with the Holy Communion of Saints is a true treasure and inspiration for leading a saintly life!
November 27, 2007
This one isn't for readin', it's for lookin' at.
Most people will probably flip through this book and say "Oh, a kid's book, whatever" and that's remarkable because most images more than a 100 years old cease to convey their meaning to a modern reader while these pictures feel as comfortable as a favorite pair of jeans.
The complex use of space, the precise composition of each page prove that Boutet de Monvel's Joan of Arc was profoundly ahead of its time. All contemporary picture books, comics and graphic novels should pay homage to this book.
Most people will probably flip through this book and say "Oh, a kid's book, whatever" and that's remarkable because most images more than a 100 years old cease to convey their meaning to a modern reader while these pictures feel as comfortable as a favorite pair of jeans.
The complex use of space, the precise composition of each page prove that Boutet de Monvel's Joan of Arc was profoundly ahead of its time. All contemporary picture books, comics and graphic novels should pay homage to this book.
January 9, 2019
I read a 1967 edition. Since this was written by a Frenchman in 1896, I suspect there may by many editions with significant differences. While reading this story, I kept wondering how much was legend and how much was fact. The art added to the story.
October 27, 2010
I have always loved this book. It was my favorite as a child. The illustrations seem to have real gold leaf in them. The story of a heroic woman is still wonderful.
October 12, 2016
Good illustrations and information. Some vocabulary was very advanced and hard for my kids to understand
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews