Customer Reviews

Joan of Arc: In her own words

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I was introduced to this brief book because of my 13 year old daughter's biography assignment. The book was abstracted and translated from French into English and consists only of "her own words" in the form of letters and documents which have accumulated over the years and been studied by scholars.

While not a book I could say would bring a complete understanding of Joan's life, it was intriguing to read her own interpretation of the events in her life. A little deep towards the end, especially for a young reader, it never the less did prove to be provoking and we enthusiastically probed other mediums to find more background information.

The story is so full of emotion and controversy it is sure to prompt contemplation and conversation. From my experience, it was worth the read to listen to my 13 year old reflect on what it would be like to be living in Joan's time and if you were Joan. All in all, both of us had a positive experience from the book.

Makes a vivid case for Sainthood, not only for Joan, but for Sainthood as a genuine phenomenon. How this unlettered, 20 year old peasant girl could fathom the deepest, most profound issues of religious reality, and do so in this ravishing, self-effacing and accessible manner will be one of humankind's lasting mysteries. Inspiring and baffling beyond description. Moves me to tears on every subsequent rereading. Incomparable. Unmissable!

This is a wonderful little book, chronicling Joan's life, her Loire campaign and finally her trial and demise. The book is set up in a journal-type format, with headings for each day. The quotes which follow are generally taken from trial manuscripts, and their genuineness cannot be doubted. The book gives you a sense that you're reading the personal memoirs of Joan, and the close personal feeling makes it all the more enjoyable. Though it is not filled with as much historical minutiae as other, drier works, this book is simply wonderful. My only criticism would be that the book does not offer many quotes which cannot be found in other works. Also, there are sections that are not truly quotes, but more precisely summaries of Joan's actions set in her own point of view. This subtracts a bit from the sense that you're actually reading her own words. I do, however, treasure this book for its familiar feel and its granting a voice to the martyred St. Joan.

Having read many books on La Pucelle, I must say that reading her actual words - the way she spoke, her own phrasing, her own expressions - brings her to life in a way no other writings about her can. Her words, lifted from the actual transcripts of her trials and from letters which she dictated, bring to life the living, breathing girl complete with her feelings; her deep love of her Lord, her frustrations, her anger, her anguish; along with her firsthand account of her childhood! This is not a story - if you are looking for the telling of the story of Jehanne d'Arc, invest in any of Regine Pernoud's books for complete historical acuracy without distorted legend. This particular book gives only Jehanne's words (along with the words of her interrogators), in the progressive order of the transcripts of her trials and her words in letters which she dictated.There are very few informational notes and there is no story to speak of. A must-read for all! I recommend it highly!

I love this book because of the direct way in which it tells the story. You get a sense of Joan's character through the most significant words she spoke. Whatever she could not tell, the wonderfully written afterword does. Also, the cover art (a b&w photo) is worth having in itself- it's incredible compared to most other Joan of Arc books. In short: Most books I pick up never fail to bore me, but this text is truly gripping.

This is a unique and worthwhile presentation of the life of Joan of Arc. It takes all of her statements which appear in random places in the trial transcripts and orders them chronologically. Since it contains only quotes by Joan, discriptions of the surrounding events are missing. However, for anyone already familiar with the context, this is a great collection and a valuable companion piece to other complete biographies. I will read this volume many times.

I picked this book up in the library as sort of an afterthought. I figured on using it as one of the resources to verify some of what I read in other biographies of Joan, or to doublecheck a few facts of her life. The paper I wrote took me four days, but the interest this book stirred in me did not fade. It is a fascinating way to see Jehanne; as there is no bias and everything said within is true. This book is one of the most accurate biographies you can get for the simple reason that it was not written as a biography. A planned and presented retelling of a life always has some sort of spin put on it by the authour, but this book lacks that. With this you can almost hear her speaking, can almost see her sitting calmly, frustrating the questioners with her honest and unwavering replies. Whether for personal reading pleasure or for a project or paper this book is a valuble resource.

I bought this book several years ago and it is one purchase that I do not regret. Wonderful for grabbing a thought, it often ends up in the pile of my inspirational books. There is nothing like a word from Joan before facing the day. As history, it is an excellent tool from which to derive direct quotations from one of the greatest enigmas of all time. JOAN OF ARC: IN HER OWN WORDS puts the reader in contact with the mind of the saint and the events which she faced so courageously. Her boldness, her femininity, her adandonment and her triumph are all there.

Joan's own words are compelling. Trask has organized quotes and testimony in a short, gift-quality little book that is a joy to read straight through, or browse over coffee. Of more than a dozen books on Joan that I have read and studied, this is one of my top three favorites.

If you want to feel like you walked with Joan, read Mark Twain's fictional diary, "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc," told from the point of view of her childhood friend-later-scribe. One of the greatest reads of my life! A Book that really changed my perspective on a lot of things.

I am a university student who is the age of Joan when she died. This is an extraordinary book to have in your collection, especially if you look up to Joan as I do. This book will let you explore and understand the true St. Joan. This is the closest we will get to know her here on Earth. Don't listen to the movies who portray her for something other than she was. This woman was a true heroine; she is truly someone to look up to. If you love Joan, buy this book, and come to know her. Take my advise..I'm pre-med..I needed this book to continue my own "mission." God Bless!