Play Audiobook Sample
Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.04) - 188 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Since her death at the age of nineteen in 1431, Joan of Arc has maintained a remarkable hold on our collective imagination. During the tumultuous Hundred Years War between England and France, a young peasant girl nicknamed "The Maid" (La Pucelle) followed her heart and came to the aid of her nation. Facing unimaginable odds, Joan's belief in her mission from God continued to propel her forward. Within months, she was directing soldiers and bravely fighting for her nation. Joan became a national hero and was the guest of honor at her King's coronation. However, her success and fame ultimately and ironically became her undoing.
Neither wife nor nun, neither queen nor noblewoman, neither philosopher nor stateswoman, Joan showed the world that anyone who follows their heart has the power to change history.
Download and start listening now!
"I was surprised at how much I liked this book. I tried reading Mark Twain's "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" but I couldn't get through it. I liked this book because it did a great job at telling her story and giving you a picture of Joan without being overly detailed and tedious to read."
— Rachel (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
Compelling…. Spoto...approaches his subject with the sophistication of a historian and the admiration of a true believer.
— The Washington Post
Joan Listener Reviews
-
" Dry book but this girl was fascinating! I liked how the author didn't discount her revelations. She accomplished so much as a teenager, it was really amazing. I didn't agree with all of his religious sentiments but he was fair to Joan and respectful of her. "
— Emy, 2/10/2014 -
" I'm not afraid to say it... I almost cried reading this one. Almost. "
— Slade, 2/10/2014 -
" Pretty comprehensive overview of Joan's life. It's the first indepth book I've read on her and the author seems rather to be making a point of telling his readers that he has something new to say about her. I guess I would have had to have read other stuff on her to be able to tell if there is anything exceptionally new here but it was okay. Sort of dragged in spots and rather funny in others. "
— Kim, 2/7/2014 -
" I never knew that we had so much information on Joan of Arc. I don't think I have ever read a nonfiction work so quickly. thought the story was so interesting, I couldn't put it down. The author isn't my favorite -- a little too much religious point of view for a nonfiction book for my taste. But, the story of Joan is fascinating. I want to read more about her. I believe that she truly was one of God's servants. "
— Jana, 1/23/2014 -
" I did not know a whole lot about her when I started reading, but I actually found her story to be similar to the Prophet Joseph Smith's. It was very good. "
— Shantel, 1/4/2014 -
" It was so refreshing to read a book about Joan that didn't characterize her as a person who didn't know her sexuality or that was a lunatic. This was an enjoyable book and one that was hard to put down. I have even more respect for Joan after reading this book. "
— Vanessa, 12/31/2013 -
" This book had way more a religious lean to it than I was anticipating. It was one of those books where I had to force myself to finish reading it because I just wasn't that into it. "
— Beth, 12/24/2013 -
" It's not riveting, but is interesting "
— Laurie, 11/8/2013 -
" Inspiring and heartbreaking. I'm amazed at the amount of first-hand information about her. The transcripts of her trial and eye witness accounts bring Joan's life into sharp focus. A highly recommended read. You won't be able to put this one down. "
— Domenica, 10/8/2013 -
" I am glad I read this book, it was an interesting outlook on the historical events. I would consider trying his biography of St. Frances. "
— Morrigan, 9/7/2013 -
" Brief look at the life of Joan of Arc. Well written, mostly unbiased account. No matter whether you believe she was a nutjob or blessed with heavenly advice, she was a truly remarkable young woman. Even if she was French. "
— Jo, 5/18/2013 -
" Fascinating....I didn't know what I didn't know about Joan of Arc. Her story is much more complicated than the myths that circulate in the ether! "
— Brian, 5/9/2013 -
" A fascinating book! "
— Kathryn, 1/12/2013 -
" strong three stars. "
— Ken, 6/8/2012 -
" Interesting...flowery language....author once taught at Fairfield. "
— Kate, 11/16/2011 -
" I guess it is titled the "mysterious life" - but I wanted a fact based history, cause I know so little about Joan of Arc - and this certainly was not that. It seemed to me to be all speculation, and very (overly) religious. Nope, she wasn't crazy or halucinating, just deep in prayer. "
— Sarah, 8/19/2011 -
" Some slow and confusing parts but that's what happens when you tell the histiry of complex times. Other than that I really enjoyed the author's treatment of Joan. Recomended. "
— Anna, 7/17/2011 -
" What I found most interesting in this book was her trial. These were recorded, and her testimony is very impressive. Reminded me of those versions that Jesus said, (I am paraphrasing) where one shouldn't be worried when coming before accused before kings because He would give the words to say. "
— Jennifer, 6/22/2011 -
" Sensitive biography of Joan of Arc. Well-written and engaging. The author is a theologian, and hence is able to deal with Joan's religious impact in a respectful manner. "
— Diane, 6/8/2011 -
" Inspiring and heartbreaking. I'm amazed at the amount of first-hand information about her. The transcripts of her trial and eye witness accounts bring Joan's life into sharp focus. A highly recommended read. You won't be able to put this one down. "
— Domenica, 1/24/2011 -
" Brief look at the life of Joan of Arc. Well written, mostly unbiased account. No matter whether you believe she was a nutjob or blessed with heavenly advice, she was a truly remarkable young woman. Even if she was French. "
— Jo, 5/20/2010 -
" I did not know a whole lot about her when I started reading, but I actually found her story to be similar to the Prophet Joseph Smith's. It was very good. "
— Shantel, 11/20/2009 -
" I'm not afraid to say it... I almost cried reading this one. Almost. "
— Slade, 6/12/2009 -
" Interesting...flowery language....author once taught at Fairfield. "
— Kate, 4/23/2009 -
" Dry book but this girl was fascinating! I liked how the author didn't discount her revelations. She accomplished so much as a teenager, it was really amazing. I didn't agree with all of his religious sentiments but he was fair to Joan and respectful of her. "
— Emy, 2/4/2009 -
" Sensitive biography of Joan of Arc. Well-written and engaging. The author is a theologian, and hence is able to deal with Joan's religious impact in a respectful manner. "
— Diane, 2/3/2009 -
" It's not riveting, but is interesting "
— Laurie, 12/20/2008 -
" This book had way more a religious lean to it than I was anticipating. It was one of those books where I had to force myself to finish reading it because I just wasn't that into it. "
— Beth, 9/4/2007
About Donald Spoto
Donald Spoto is the author of more than twenty books, including bestselling biographies of Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, Laurence Olivier, Marlene Dietrich, Ingrid Bergman, and Audrey Hepburn. He lives with his husband, Danish artist and school administrator Ole Flemming Larsen, near Copenhagen, Denmark.
About Dick Hill
Dick Hill, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, is one of the most awarded narrators in the business, having earned several Audie Awards and thirty-four AudioFile Earphones Awards. In addition to narrating, he has both acted in and written for the theater.