I truly desired to relish this book, for Joan of Arc is an enchanting historical personality. Whether one believes her visions indeed originated from God or not, she remains a captivating subject.

However, I had the distinct impression that this book never really took off. It could be due to its relatively brief length, the absence of any substantial academic heft, or perhaps the rather blatant religious sentiment of the author. I felt as if I were perusing the author's personal diatribe on the life of Joan of Arc, rather than the historical biography I had been eagerly anticipating.

The author claims to have drawn upon recently unearthed documents related to Joan's life and trial. Nevertheless, none of the references are footnoted or lucidly explained. Moreover, many of the purported quotes from the trial are not only translated from French to English but also from the medieval vernacular into a more'modern' language. Spoto creates a very engaging and poignant portrayal of this remarkable nineteen-year-old, yet it never feels genuine. It reads and feels very much like a fictional biography.

Overall, I was left disappointed. I had been seeking a historical biography of an intriguing medieval figure, only to receive what was almost a literal hagiography.

This author truly lacks the ability to effectively communicate his thoughts. It seems as if he is grappling with writing each and every sentence, and is constantly in a state of confusion.

Rather than referring to the previous work of historians, he endeavors to be the most ambiguous and flowery author conceivable.

Is Joan of Arc insane because she heard voices and had visions? The author simply states that the conclusive answer is that "her visions were valid because it's her truth". But what on earth does that even signify? How can that be anything other than nebulous, indolent, and non-committal?

It is highly frustrating to read such writing that fails to provide clear and well-supported arguments. One would expect a more in-depth exploration and analysis of historical events and figures, rather than such lackadaisical and evasive statements.

Perhaps the author needs to work on improving his writing skills and doing more thorough research to present a more accurate and engaging account.

An old friend sent me this book, saying that he had a hunch that St. Joan wanted me to have it. He had previously mentioned that she might serve as an inspiration to the women I worked with as a sexual assault and domestic violence victim advocate. I had already bought a Joan Of Arc silver medallion along with a card that said it was for "brave women and cool girls." I adored the medallion, but I loved the gift of a book even more.

Right from the start, this book captivated me. I'm not Catholic, so I know very little about the saints. I began as someone intrigued by St. Joan's reputation and soon found myself drawn into a small French town during the Middle Ages. Back then, the world was quiet, the night sky was filled with stars, and nature reigned supreme. Joan and her family were ordinary people, illiterate, hard-working peasants. Like the culture of the time, they saw God as an essential part of their daily lives.

Although their home was tight-knit and warm, they were not safe. The 100 Year War between France and England was still going strong, with the English steadily capturing one town after another. The family had to flee more than once. Meanwhile, young Joan started hearing voices and seeing the faces of saints and images of God urging her to save France from this invasion. She was given specific details on how this could be achieved. At first, Joan was shocked and scared, but as she got more used to these experiences, she felt compelled to listen and then to act.

What Spoto accomplished in this book was remarkable research on how an 18 - 19-year-old girl came to lead the French military to successful battles against the English, creating victors for the first time and saving France. Spoto skillfully discusses these battles, neither overemphasizing the bloodshed nor minimizing it. It was truly amazing that such a young girl was able to command and earn the respect of so many rough-and-tumble armored soldiers.

However, her achievements were relatively short-lived. Spoto seamlessly weaves her accomplishments into Joan's fall from grace and eventual capture by the English, who then traded her to the French. There, in the country she had freed from English rule, she was brutally imprisoned, starved, threatened with rape, chained, and endlessly interrogated. The French tried to discredit her as a heretic, fearing her popularity and power. Yet, Joan continued to assert that she had only acted to please God and do as he asked. In the end, the only thing they could really hold against her was that she wore pants in battle and while in prison. She did this to better ride a horse and later to protect herself from sexual assault by the guards who slept in her cell at night. Her persecutors quoted a Biblical passage that declared cross-dressing as an offense against God.

There are those who believe Joan was mentally ill; after all, hearing voices and seeing things are considered hallucinations and symptoms of schizophrenia. But how did such a young girl, illiterate and from a small county town with no exposure to military strategy, know exactly how to win so many battles and free France from oppression? How did she become beloved and trusted by men willing to fight to the death for her? The mystery of her life cannot be denied. Interestingly, Joan is on record as saying that she could see the voices trying to speak to many others, but closed minds and ears prevented them from being heard.

This is a story of war, betrayal, human cruelty, and unwavering faith in God. It affirmed for me that there are mysteries all around us, perhaps not meant for us to understand - but perhaps so, if we only quiet ourselves enough to listen. Maybe the ineffable Joan of Arc does have something to say to brave women and cool girls.