The Secrets of Francis of Assisi: A Meditation [Paperback]

Christian Bobin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 1999

How did we come to revere this thirteenth-century Italian merchant's son as a saint? This penetrating meditation provides what may be the best answer yet, by gently but sure-handedly cutting through every pious legend to discover what is timeless and universally true about Saint Francis.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Every once in a while a book comes along that takes your breath away, leaving you dizzy and delirious. . . . Read this book and you'll see why mothers 'hold the eternal element that holds the world and man.' Read this book and you'll understand the importance of paying humble attention to humble things. And finally, read this book because it will teach your soul to sing!"— Spirituality & Health

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (May 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570623686
• ISBN-13: 978-1570623684
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,970,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book gives a whole new insight in the life of Francis., June 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secret of Francis of Assisi: A Meditation (Hardcover)

The Secret of Francis of Assisi is a wonderful book to read about Saint Francis' childhood. It is a book unlike any other about Saint Francis of Assisi. It not only gives a whole new view on this blessed saint but also of God. The Secret of Francis of Assisi is not only about his life, but it is also about the world Saint Francis lived in. It is a heart felt book that is bound to have an affect on theoligions and Fransiscans alike

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The secret of francis of assisi by christian bobin, May 13, 2000

By 

christopher (canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secrets of Francis of Assisi: A Meditation (Paperback)

This is an amazing book that sparked a wonderful peace deep within me. I would describe this book as an epiphany between two covers. It is written in the style and beauty of a poem that speaks very deeply to the soul. Do not by this book if you are looking for a historical account of the life of st. francis. This book is a meditation. Do not read this book with a critical heart, the truth it speaks of isn't historical it's spiritual.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The Secrets of St. Francis? I don't think so!, January 10, 2000

By 

Stefan Cover (Cambridge, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secrets of Francis of Assisi: A Meditation (Paperback)

In general, we human beings will do nearly anything in response to our spiritual teachers - except pay attention to what they do and say. Brother Francis, like his master Jesus of Nazareth, is a perfect example. We have made Francis a saint, built a basilica to house his body, and have sentimentalized him into a quaint animal-lover, a medieval nature mystic, or a proto-flower child. We've even sold his image (in the form of concrete garden ornaments) around the world - but listen to him? We'd much rather create a Francis we can live with: one that edifies and amuses, without disturbing how we live our lives.

Christopher Bobin's book is the latest development in this fine, old tradition. Here, the historical Francis is so submerged by a tidal wave of literary rhapsody that he would scarcely recognize himself were he to read the book by some miracle. Francis will be scarcely more recognizable to those of you who know the historical sources - and this is the heart of my criticism. Bobin's treatment of the Francis stories is cavalier and irresponsible. Many events and episodes essential for understanding him are omitted and those included are edited freely to serve the author's purposes, which are purely literary, not biographical, historical, or even religious. Worse, the author adds much nonsense that cannot be countenanced by anything we know about the real Francis. The result is a false portait of the Poverello that leaves out nearly everything that is puzzling, inconvenient, and challenging for a modern audience, and includes much that is misleading or just plain wrong. Playing so fast and loose with the facts may be acceptable in the realm of creative literature, but it is it a major disservice to Francis himself - for whom the truth ALWAYS mattered - and to those of us who wish to get to know him.