Joan of Arc

Without getting longwinded, if you like Mark Twain and are sympathetic to peasant saintliness you will like this book very much. Checking some facts back against Wiki, I think Twain's 8 years of research followed events very closely.

Sensational! I couldn't put the book down! I enjoy reading Mark Twain's works anyway, but this was exceptional. The story was told through the words of a friend of Joan's from their childhood days through her leading France's forces to defeat the English and crown the French King and on to her capture by the English and her trial as a heretic and witch. Although the story of Joan of Arc is well-known, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, both volumes in one file, (Samizdat Edition with Active Table of Contents) improved 2/5/2011Mark Twain gives one the sense of really "being there" and really "getting to know" Joan on a personal basis. A "must-read" for anyone interested in Joan of Arc and how she freed France from England.

This is a must read for all History Buffs. Whether you believe in Saints, Angels, or Miracles...
no matter. The documented research behind this novel about Joan of Arc is indisputable.
Read it and then YOU be her judge.

I expected good writing from Mark Twain and got it. I found the descriptions of medieval life interesting and characters such as La Hire (especially his oath which raised a cloud of dust when it hit the ground)) made it read like a novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading tho this book. Although it got a bit wordy at times it flows wonderfully.
I have always been fascinated by the story of Joan of Arc and am grateful that Mark Twain researched the story of her life and wrote a novel like this. It makes her life and death come alive.

The master storyteller, Mark Twain, used his immense talent to create this fictionalized account of Saint Joan's life. Even though it is fiction, it is still very historically accurate and stays true to the story of Saint Joan of Arc. Because it is fiction, Twain is able to bring out Saint Joan's personality in a way that reminds us that she was a beautiful, vibrant, passionate young woman who sacrificed everything to serve God and save her country

I think the very fact that Twain would even choose to write a biography about Saint Joan is a further testament to her greatness. Twain was personal friends with U.S. Grant and could much more easily have written a biography about him. He also lived at a time when some of the greatest military leaders ever lived like Lee, Jackson, etc., so if all he had been looking for was a famous military leader he could have also chosen one of them. Obviously, he was looking for someone even greater to write about. I think his own words probably explain why he chose Saint Joan when he said that: "She was perhaps the only entirely unselfish person whose name has a place in profane history."

Whether you are a Saint Joan devotee or not I think you will enjoy reading this book. It is well written and easy to read and covers one of the greatest stories in world history. If you already know about the life of Saint Joan, I also think you will end up loving this account because of the way Twain brings her to life. Definitely one of the best of all the biographies written about Saint Joan of Arc and considered by Twain himself to be his greatest work. Five stars are probably not enough.

I, for one, am grateful to Mark Twain for researching the history of this extraordinary person. She sounds like someone I would have loved to have known. I'm wondering about finishing up what happens next to her. The king was stupid to have had her burned at the stake and I'm not sure I can read about it. I liked how there was humor to some of the characters that was typical Mark Twain.

An acquaintance recommended this book to me, as a great read , and yes it was. Compared to recent movies on Joan it gets into her character better. How does an illiterate 17 year old girl transform a despotic government in two years? Lead its army in battle? How does her brain connect her beliefs to her actions?

I enjoyed reading this book so much. Mark Twain is insightful when he describes characters and I highlighted many parts of the book. Joan Of Arc, what a noble young woman. It was wonderful to read about a person who was inspirational, true and steadfast. It seems we admire wealth and glitz so often now, this book was refreshing.

I am a massive fan of Nineteenth century American Literature, and this is my favorite book from that century. Samuel Clemmens account of Joan d'Arc from the view point of her friend and faithful squire is touching on a personal, and spiritual level that brings to life the biggest Champion of Womanhood in European history.

Start with the Epilogue. trust me, that's the way to go. When you understand Twain's secular interest in Saint Joan, you may get the chills. One of my favorite recommendations, but not for the casual reader. Fascinating!

I recently read that Mark Twain considered this his best book, so had to read it. It is quite different from his other books, being an historical narrative based on St Joan's lifelong friend.

Twain goes through the commonly known information about Joan of Arc and her God inspired fight against the English occupiers of France, followed by the trials she went through at the hands of the English and their sympathizers in the French church. What I found most interesting were the accounts of these trials; even finding one of my ancestors was involved!

If you are interested in an in depth review of just what happened in these trials, or want to learn more about why the French and English continue to dislike each other, or want a personal view of the life a a great saint; you should get this book and read it. As for it being Mark Twain's best book, I find it hard to make that determination as it is so different from his others. I am guessing that he thought so because of the serious nature of the subject and the events surrounding her - not to mention how steadfast she was in following God's will!

The one history that every one should read. It is inspirational but also very touching. It demonstrates the the law got it wrong in history and this could still happen to-day under our jury system of only 12 persons.

Twain resourced Joan's life for many years. He uses a mature, whimsical style to help us understand her and her times.
You also will come to see how an almost 18 year-old farm girl had the puck and wisdom to attack English strongholds when for hundreds of years her French Generals had sat or ran from danger.
Twain takes the history and fills it out with crisp dialogue. He claims it as his best book.

Twain resourced Joan's life for many years. He uses a mature, whimsical style to help us understand her and her times.
You also will come to see how an almost 18 year-old farm girl had the puck and wisdom to attack English strongholds when for hundreds of years her French Generals had sat or ran from danger.
Twain takes the history and fills it out with crisp dialogue. He claims it as his best book.

This, the novel Twain considered his best, is a step in a different direction for America's treasured author. However, given his treatment of youthful heroes such as the fictional Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, perhaps it should not be a surprise that Mr. Twain spent twelve years of his life writing a novel based on the most loveable teenage champion in western history.

If an author was to make up this story out of whole cloth, he would be pilloried for asking the reader for too much suspension of disbelief. Here Twain submerges his personality, and employs his unique writing style and craftsmanship to bring us Joan of Arc. Read this and you will know both Joan of Arc and Mark Twain better than you ever have.

Recommended: Yes.

The "Twain Press" edition from 2013 is missing about 1/3 of the book! It only has 8 + 27 chapters instead of 8 + 41 + 24.
The book written by Mark Twain deserves five stars, but this edition only gets one, as I had to buy an other book to read the last 30+ chapters!

I originally read to Dover Thrift Edition and it is great! This edition appears to be self published and seems to be only half of the story. i don't get a shipping label or anything for returns. Don't buy this version. Buy the Dover Thrift Edition instead!!

The wit of Twain shown through in this historical novel. He is a master wordsmith and the fact that he was notoriously non-religious and yet wrote about one of the great religious figures in history madae this novel uniquely interesting.