This biography of Joan of Arc was penned by a man who holds a Ph.D. in theology. He also has an in-depth understanding of church history and canonical law.

This background adds an interesting layer of depth to many aspects of the book, making it more engaging and accessible.

I was somewhat surprised that the author depicted Joan's voices without delving deeply into their nature or authenticity. He does refute most of the claims that her voices were not real, but his exploration stops there.

During her trial, the author clearly takes a stance. He highlights numerous aspects of the proceedings that violated the Canon law of the time. However, the book falls short in that it barely covers her canonization, which occurred in the early 20th Century, and the possible role of politics in that process, as well as in her trial and death.

Nevertheless, the true strength of this book lies in its subject matter: her life, her unwavering faith, and her relationship with God.

Overall, this biography offers a unique perspective on Joan of Arc, although it does have some limitations in its coverage.

This book is truly remarkable.

It is well-written, without being filled with excessive fluff or numerous footnotes that might otherwise disrupt the reading flow.

The content presented within its pages is so engaging and full of surprises that I simply couldn't tear myself away from it.

Page after page, I was continuously astonished by the wealth of information that was being shared.

It's not often that a book has such a captivating effect on me, making it a must-read for anyone seeking knowledge and entertainment.

I highly recommend this book to others, as it has the potential to leave a lasting impression and expand one's understanding of various subjects.

This version is truly excellent.

It presents Jeanne in a way that is more realistic than anything I have ever come across in my readings.

The details provided are so vivid and accurate that it feels as if Jeanne herself is right there in front of me.

Every aspect of her character, her actions, and her thoughts are brought to life in a way that makes her a fully fleshed-out and believable individual.

It's not just a story about Jeanne, but a window into her world, allowing the reader to experience her joys, her sorrows, and her struggles as if they were their own.

This is a remarkable piece of work that truly captures the essence of Jeanne and makes her story come alive in a way that is both engaging and moving.

I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about Jeanne or who simply enjoys a well-written and captivating story.

I'm aware that Spoto writes biographies at an assembly line pace, but I'll never forget how I felt while reading this book. From the chapter on the capture to the death at the stake, I just couldn't stop crying. Joan of Arc is misinterpreted by her critics and even by some of her defenders. She is not a feminist symbol (yes queen slay them) or a representative of resignation to Catholic faith. Joan represents nationalism in its purest form: the notion that we are inextricably linked to the soil on which we were born, regardless of the criticism of those who command it. A beautiful book that marked my 2016.

A Pretty comprehensive overview of Joan's life is presented in this book. It is the first in-depth work I've come across regarding her. The author appears to be quite intent on making it clear to the readers that he has something novel to convey about her. I suppose I would have needed to read other materials about her to determine if there is truly anything extraordinarily new here. However, overall, it was an okay read. In some parts, it seemed to drag a bit, while in others, it was rather funny. It offers a decent look into Joan's life, but perhaps not as revolutionary as the author might have hoped. Still, it provides some interesting perspectives and details that are worth considering.

I truly have a passion for reading about strong women in a male-dominated history. If you have been following my reviews regularly, you might have noticed a slight mild addiction to Queen Elizabeth I. This is because she assumed a male role in life and accomplished it far better than any of the men. Joan of Arc is an exception as she didn't seem to seek glory. Even though she was killed after her successes, she is still remembered as one of the most heroic women of her era.

This was the first biography I picked up about Joan of Arc. I didn't have much information about her other than the common knowledge (dressing as a man to deceive everyone, hearing the voices of saints sent from God telling her to save France, being betrayed by her King and burned at the stake). This book was effective in dispelling some of the rumors. For example, no one at any point actually thought that Joan was a male. Everyone knew she was a woman, and they even called her "The Maid." She wore male clothing simply for comfort, convenience, and protection during travel. It is a common misconception that she was trying to hide her gender. In fact, she promoted it, encouraging the men to rally behind her and her womanhood.

Another really great, yet tragic, aspect you learn from this book is how incredibly doomed she was. Once captured by the English, Joan had no chance of escaping and no hope of being returned to France. Cauchon, the bishop who was "handling" her case and by handling I mean rigging it so she would be found guilty, denied her every right. It was appalling to see some of the things he did. He denied her the right to be guarded by women in a safe cell, the right to council, the right to Mass, the right to take her case to the Pope, and, as if to add insult to injury, ensured that everyone voting on her case would vote guilty. In fact, many men left the case because they disagreed so strongly with what Cauchon was doing. There were often times when he had a difficult time getting his conviction because so many men disagreed with him.

As much as I liked the information, Spoto was not the most unbiased source in presenting it. You could tell, as you were reading the book, that he is not very favorable towards religion. There were a few jabs at organized religion in the book, and he was constantly swaying you against the Catholic church (probably because they were so prominent in this time period). While he does seem to be a spiritual person, he clearly has issues with organized religion. I feel that if you are going to write about a book that is about a girl being accused of heresy and then being raised to the status of a saint later in life, you should probably keep your opinions of religion out of the book you are writing. Or just stop writing it.

Reading this book is challenging. It really makes you come to terms with what you do and do not believe. Many religious phenomena have explanations that can be accounted for by science, but Joan's experiences are not so easily explained. There are many medical theories proposed, but most of them require a certain type of dementia. Joan never exhibited that at any point. She was always calm, well-spoken, and in control. Even until the very end, half-starved and ill, she still managed to often outwit her prosecutors.

You then have to ask yourself, do you believe her or not? The thing is, if you believe in Joan's visions, it's not like believing in the Bible where it was so long ago and all we really have is the Bible to rely on. Joan was a real person in history who existed during the early 1400s, and there is well-documented proof of her. She accomplished many miraculous things, such as crowning a French King, driving out the English, and bringing about the beginning of the end of the 100 Years War. And all of this was done by a young 17-year-old country girl who knew nothing about making war. It's hard not to believe that she had divine intervention. But then Joan is proof of God, which is a really big thing to commit to.

I think that's probably the best part of this book. That it really shows you a miracle, a true miracle, essentially in modern times. In recordable history.

The book wasn't too long, just under 200 pages, making it a quick read if nothing else. But I would have liked more details about her life before the trials and how she helped Henry VII. Maybe there isn't more information available, and that's why it's so short. After all, they are called the Dark Ages due to the incredible lack of information we have. So maybe the trials are just the most information we have about Joan. Maybe I just need to find another book about her. However, if you're just looking to learn more about her, this is a good book to start with.

It was evident that the author had conducted extensive research prior to penning this book.

However, I sense that the pacing was slightly amiss. Some sections traversed vast periods of time with scant detail, while at other moments, there was an almost excruciating level of detail, causing the story to seem to plod along a bit.

Overall, I believed it was well-written.

Nonetheless, my most significant issue with this book was the author's blatant skepticism towards all things religious. At various junctures in the book, he posited that Joan might have had schizophrenia, a brain tumor, or any number of other mental disorders. He even went as far as to assert that angels “…are not much different from friendly aliens, but they dress better.” He entirely disregarded the possibility that she could have been precisely what she claimed to be. This was a rather peculiar stance to adopt.

It made me question the author's objectivity and whether his preconceived notions were influencing his portrayal of the subject matter.

Despite this, the book still had its merits and offered some interesting insights.

Perhaps with a more balanced approach, the author could have presented a more compelling and thought-provoking narrative.

This is a really good book.

It offers some truly interesting perspectives and interpretations on Joan.

The author has delved deep into the life and character of Joan, presenting a fresh and engaging look at her.

Readers will find themselves captivated by the unique takes on Joan that are presented within these pages.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Joan or simply interested in learning more about her, this book is definitely worth a read.

It provides valuable insights and a new way of seeing this fascinating figure.

Overall, it is a great addition to any collection and a must-read for those interested in the subject matter.

What I found most interesting in this book was her trial.

These trials were meticulously recorded, and her testimony was truly very impressive.

It vividly reminded me of those versions where Jesus said (and I am paraphrasing here) that one shouldn't be worried when being accused before kings because He would give the words to say.

Her composure and the way she presented herself during the trial were remarkable.

It was as if she had an inner strength and confidence that came from a higher source.

The details of her testimony added depth and authenticity to the story, making it all the more engaging.

One could sense the tension and drama of the courtroom as she spoke, and it left a lasting impression on me.

Overall, her trial was a captivating aspect of the book that held my attention from start to finish.

This was a rather disappointing read.

However, I must admit that I did manage to learn more than I previously knew.

The most interesting aspects were the trial excerpts and the several brief discussions regarding the challenges of explaining spiritual experiences with insufficient language, such as "voices" or "visions".

These discussions shed some light on the difficulty of putting such intangible and profound experiences into words that others can truly understand.

It made me realize the limitations of our language when it comes to expressing the inexpressible.

Despite the overall disappointment, these particular elements did offer some food for thought and added a touch of interest to the otherwise lackluster read.

Perhaps in future works, more in-depth exploration of these topics could be done to provide a more comprehensive understanding.

Well written.

In depth.

Detailed.

At times, it may seem verbose, but this actually adds to the feel of the time.

It's as if the author is painting a vivid picture with words, taking the reader on a journey through the era.

The level of detail is remarkable, allowing for a truly immersive experience.

However, I'm not sure I could have lasted through the entire piece.

Perhaps it's because of my own attention span or the modern-day need for quick information.

Nonetheless, I can appreciate the effort and skill that went into writing such a detailed and in-depth article.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of taking the time to truly understand and explore a subject.

Overall, it's a well-written piece that offers a unique perspective on the time period.

There is an itch in my head that only a 9 caliber bullet can scratch. How could they do that to her? Raghh! I knew how it ends, but it still shot me in the heart with the descriptions of her youth and the silence after her burning. It's truly heartbreaking.

This book had me at the edge of my seat. Wtf! I expected it to be sort of slow paced, but man, I freaked over every chapter. It was so intense and engaging. I just couldn't put it down.

10/10, I ate that shit up. This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller or mystery. You won't be disappointed.