Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint Audiobook, by Donald Spoto Play Audiobook Sample

Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint Audiobook

Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint Audiobook, by Donald Spoto Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Dick Hill Publisher: Tantor Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.75 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2007 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781400174003

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

12

Longest Chapter Length:

51:13 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

19:52 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

37:36 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

8

Other Audiobooks Written by Donald Spoto: > View All...

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.

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"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

Overall Performance: 3.21428571428571 out of 53.21428571428571 out of 53.21428571428571 out of 53.21428571428571 out of 53.21428571428571 out of 5 (3.21)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 6
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm not afraid to say it... I almost cried reading this one. Almost. "

    — Slade, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It's not riveting, but is interesting "

    — Laurie, 11/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A fascinating book! "

    — Kathryn, 1/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " strong three stars. "

    — Ken, 6/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Interesting...flowery language....author once taught at Fairfield. "

    — Kate, 11/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I'm not afraid to say it... I almost cried reading this one. Almost. "

    — Slade, 6/12/2009
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Interesting...flowery language....author once taught at Fairfield. "

    — Kate, 4/23/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It's not riveting, but is interesting "

    — Laurie, 12/20/2008
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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.