Women Saints: Lives of Faith and Courage [Paperback]

Kathleen Jones (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt recalls a day spent reading Butler's Lives of the Saints. For a lad of 13, the stories of martyrdom and torture were sufficiently gory to provide fascinating reading. Jones intends no such engagement here. Rather, she pieces together straightforward accounts of the conditions and influences that contributed to the achievements of 51 women (40 in the main text and 11 others in appendixes). Each of eight sectionsAVisionaries, Martyrs, Collaborators, Wives and Mothers, Penitents, Outcasts, Innovators, and MissionariesAincludes an introductory essay and short biographical entries. Because of the summary nature of the entries, Jones's tone is occasionally flat, and she makes some sweeping generalizations. In addition, American readers may find some of the language awkward. The entries are not footnoted, but a bibliography organized by entry is provided. Recommended for women's studies collections and public libraries where interest in religion is strong.AJan Blodgett, Davidson Coll. Lib., NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Recognizing the fact that holy women are glaringly underrepresented in Christian literature, Jones provides compelling biographical sketches of 40 all-but-forgotten female saints. Rather than restrict her research to the virgins and martyrs favored by most male theologians and historians, the author purposely sought out saints who led unique lives and had "varied careers and varied achievements." Classifying her subjects by their distinct contributions to the church, Jones devotes chapters to visionaries, martyrs, collaborators in scholarly works or in the foundation of religious organizations, wives and mothers, penitents, social outcasts, innovators, and missionaries. A decidedly unsentimental volume distinguished by refreshingly three-dimensional interpretations of saintly women. Margaret Flanagan

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570752915
• ISBN-13: 978-1570752919
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb survey of female Saints down through time., March 3, 2000

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women Saints: Lives of Faith and Courage (Paperback)

Women Saints deserves ongoing mention as an inspiring survey of female saints in a subject partial to men. Headings from 'visionaries' to 'martyrs' and 'penitents' provide themes for lives which cover all centuries and cultures. Highly recommended.