St. Francis of Assisi

By G.K. Chesterton

The enigma that is St. Francis of Assisi is one with which we should be intimately familiar. Upon first glance our age seems incredibly dissimilar to the time in which Francis lived, however closer examination will reveal a similar zeitgeist. G.K. Chesterton takes us into the life of St. Francis not by giving us a list of facts, dates, and accomplishments, but rather by taking us into the mind and heart of the man. As with any person, mere facts cannot truly tell the story that only knowing the person can tell. With this book one feels as though he has come to know Francis, rather than just know about him.

This book reads like a letter of introduction of St. Francis of Assisi to the modern world. Skeptics as well as devout are invited to understand this man who turned the world on its head, or rather turned himself on his head to see the world more clearly.

Chesterton explains himself sometimes too much. Rather than make a statement and let it stand or fall on its own, he often makes a statement, then pours over each detail propping them up with his reasons. At times this leads to rabbit trails that seem to have nothing to do with Francis himself. Taking in the whole picture however, we see that these divergences aren't so much leaving the trail of Francis as following him through that whimsical trail that he leads us through. It is in these divergences that Assisi's most famous son is understood more clearly.

An incredible event in the life of Francis of Assisi rings its bell in today's world. The Mohammedans had invaded Europe, and the war was on with the Christian monarchs pushing them back. The Crusades Francis saw in their horror and attempted to stop them by going to the Saracens and asking them to stop. He gained an audience with the leader and left with his head, which is miracle enough, considering the way the modern Mohammedans treat outsiders who come to help them.