I became intrigued by St. Francis after visiting one of his monasteries on a recent trip. I knew some of the basics about him but wanted a more in-depth overview. This book written by a French Protestant in the 19th century fulfilled that desire. The additions of updated material by a contemporary theologian helped to clarify the text and make it more accessible. Though dense at times, the writing somewhat stilted maybe due to it's origins in a different language, it provided me with a sense of Francis's life, his journey as a Brother, and the foundation often fraught with conflict around the founding of an order that still exists today. After reading this, I can see St. Francis's influence and light shine through in our current Pope. The journey of humility and concern for the disenfranchised of the world continues.

A well researched and edited book . A good opening and faster to the Saint

A book about the life and times of St. Francis and his contemporaries. Sabatier wrote this book in 1894 and it was a bestseller when published. It is a well researched book that gives a vivid picture of St. Francis's everyday life and the struggles of Christian church. Maybe this is why it was on the Vatican's forbidden book list.

I craved more literal information. I have very little understanding as to why St Francis is so revered.

Informative history of St Francis life. A bit slow at times.

Now rather dated with annotations that interupt rather than illuminate.

Overall well-researched, but with some obvious biases (e.g. about catharism). I really appreciated everything Sweeney did to bring Sabatier into the modern-day. From what I can tell, Sweeney definitely made it more readable and engaging, addressed a couple of issues with the original, and made the whole text a little more trustworthy.

I liked this book. I decided that since I was at a Franciscan retreat center it would be a good place to do some reading about their patron saint. It was basic enough that I learned a lot about St. Francis and could keep up with the references of the retreat director. I definitely recommend it.

I am a huge fan of Chesterton's treatment of the life of Saint Francis; despite the fact that it is much more of an esoteric read than a true biography.

Sabatier's book, in comparison, presents a detailed biographical sketch of this fascinating man of God, and deliberately excludes the more fanciful stories that have arisen around his life and ministry in the intervening centuries. Nearly everyone recognizes Francis as the "patron saint of animals" (and apparently backyard gardens everywhere) but people rarely speak of the humble monk who secretly crossed enemy lines and was granted an audience with the Sultan of Egypt in the very midst of the crusades.

Sabatier's research is meticulous, and his prosaic writing style makes this book an absolute joy to read. Sabatier is a Protestant (a fact not lost on the Vatican, which condemned the book for nearly a century) but his fascination with, and admiration for, the quiet reformer from Assisi is unmistakable.The addition of the great Jon M. Sweeney's own equally exhaustive research and contemporary commentary makes this particular edition of the classic a true treasure.

I have a tendency to mark up books that I find especially impactful and my (now dog-eared) copy of this work bears my notes and marginalia on nearly every page from cover to cover. I am planning a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi next year and I will be using this little book as the primary blueprint for my itenerary.

If you have even a passing interest in the life of this great Saint I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Still one of the most readable and enjoyable biographies of St Francis of Assisi