Interesting concept for a travelogue, unfortunately the book suffers from very poor editing, with misspelled Italian names and loose translations, too much repetition (e.g. two whole chapters virtually the same) and the chronology of events in Francis’ life jumping back and forward.
The author spends a long time on the many legends, but provides only a feeble sense of the real man behind the saint, a superficial description of the historical setting he lived in (early 1200s), very little context for the many places the author visited, and she doesn’t explain the spiritual aspects of the Catholic religion that Francis taught (she only emphasizes the saint’s vow of poverty and austere way of life). Maybe, in the book, she could have limited the dizzyingly large number of places in favor of a more in-depth description of only a few ones, i.e. the most meaningful in Francis’ mission, and a better (in-depth) study of her protagonist?
Surprisingly, for a travelogue, there are only small black and white photographs and few maps (and no itinerary) at the beginning of the book, which made it hard to follow the author’s journey and commentary. Judging from the high GR rating, other readers have found the book useful, but for me it was not as good as I hoped.

Covering the travels through Italy and a bit of Egypt during the Crusades and the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi, it’s part travelogue, history, biography, and theology though not too heavy on the last.

I wish I'd read this book before visiting Assisi in 1997, as Francis' home city is just one part of the many adventures he undertook. If I ever go back, this book is a wonderful guide for trips around central Italy.

When the author says "on the road", she means literally. Linda Bird Francke and her husband start in Assisi and use medieval texts and modern biographies to find the roads, paths, homes, and churches that Francis visited during his lifetime. Along the way, the reader is treated to the hills, valleys, and food of Umbria, Tuscany, and beyond. The well written narrative includes large castles, small caves, mountain top grottoes, and many local shrines that continue to inspire residents and pilgrims. Although not a religious book per se, one can't help being caught up in the spiritual revival that Francis inspired.

Highly recommended for admirers of Francis and armchair travelers craving Italy.

The author takes a walk literally in the footsteps of St. Francis, from his beginnings in Umbria, to his ill-fated crusade in Egypt, and throughout the many stops where he lived, preached, and reportedly worked miracles. The book gives a modern flavor to these locations, but it's not especially interesting always to know what she ate for lunch there. A so-so travelogue as they go.

An interesting travel log as well as historical reference about the life of St. Francis and St. Clair. Since we are hosting an Italian exchange student from Rome it's fun to read about his ancient country seeped in so much history. The life of St. Francis is quite intriguing. It was a bit slow though and I did skip over a bit.

This book was a lovely way to become familiar with the larger than life legend of Francis of Assisi. I have since read other books on Francis but I always enjoying coming back to this travelogue style of writing. You really can see, feel and even taste this region of Assisi while you hear all the lovely tales that surround this great man.

n  n

Travelogue-style biography of St. Francis. The travelogue was a fun way to get the biography and geography of St. Francis all rolled into one. I had fun following along with Francke's and her husband's journey. I read this as my own personal supplement to the children's St. Francis books I read to my kids as part of this year's Medieval homeschool adventure. I needed something a little more mature than picture books, although those were great too :)

I actually lost the library book for several weeks and when I found it I had to turn it in before I could finish it. But I really enjoyed what I read. Now we have moved on to a different component so I might not be finishing the book. Too much to read! Too little time!

Intend to read and learn more about Tuscany and the Journey of Francis of Assisi. What I'd call a good travel book.
Rob

I'm almost at a loss as to how to begin this. Obviously, I knew very little about St. Francis of Assisi. I thought I knew little bit, but it was mostly from legends about him and animals. Oh, and, of course, his famous prayer, "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace . . ."

In 2004, Linda Bird Francke and her husband went on a "road trip" through Italy, retracing the steps of the great saint, following the course of his life. This book is the memoir of that trip. It is not strictly a biography, because, goodness knows, there is an abundance of biographies about both Francis and St. Clare. Initially, Ms. Francke intended this book to be about both of them, but, while Clare is featured heavily in the book, it primarily centers around Francis.

It is a delightful book, and quite inspiring, as the author gives us her impressions as they travel. The descriptions are so vivid that it is easy to picture the countryside and landscapes through which they traveled. That being said, I found myself wishing for photographs. Then I came to one of two groups of photos that are in the book. Alas, though, they are all black and white, which is greatly unsatisfying. Oh, well. At least there were pictures.

Interspersed with the descriptions of their travel, we get snippets of the life and legends surrounding St. Francis of Assisi. We visit the many hermitages that he founded, along with churches that he restored and "monasteries" that he also founded. Apparently, St. Francis was extremely charismatic, and it seemed quite easy for him to amass a great following of other men, along the way. And, of course, they eventually became the Franciscan Order.

Ms. Francke also does a fantastic job of retelling the many legends that surround the saint. Many of these are so fantastic that one wonders if they are true. I will reserve judgment on this, myself. I m not here to do that. I find myself to be inspired by the life of this great man, because of her writing in this book. I don't necessarily aspire to live in poverty, as he did. But I can see myself adapting his perspective on ownership of things. Not to the point that I own nothing at all, as was true of Francis, but the willingness to give things away. Francis was notorious for giving away new tunics of cloaks almost immediately after receiving them from other well-meaning people.

Perhaps the most astonishing legend of all is the one regarding him receiving the stigmata of Christ at La Verna, which allegedly left him to finish out his life in great pain and weakness. I knew nothing of this legend before reading this book.

Linda Bird Francke has left me with an appetite to learn more about St. Francis of Assisi, and for that I am grateful. I sincerely wish that I could follow their travel route, but seeing some of the hikes and climbs that they had to endure to get to some of these places makes me aware that, short of a miracle, that would be impossible. I will attempt, instead, to find as many visual representations as I can.

Ms. Francke does a graceful job of blending personal travel stories with the story of Francis. She is not particularly religious, just curious -so a good companion for modern trip to Italy. Influenced in part by this book, I am going to spend a week in Umbria.

The author travels to the major sites connected with St. Francis’ life and travels. I knew next to nothing about St. Francis, so I found the combined travelogue/biography both entertaining and informative. I wanted something lighter and more grounded in the present than a dedicated biography. The author’s travels frequently took her off the beaten track to isolated caves and hermitages and to pilgrim destinations, providing a different perspective than the usual tourist experience. I was left with a sense of how profoundly twelfth century history continues to influence twentieth century life.

A nicely written tour of sites associated with Saint Francis of Assisi. Written in a respectful tone while acknowledging that most source material was written by supporters who pass along charming stories.

Not for everyone, but an easy read.