Rating: 
Summary: One of the very best Francis biographies
Review: This is a definitive biography of St. Francis, placing his life in context of his cultural and religio-political times as few have done before. Spotto takes advantage of the most recent work of Franciscan scholars to piece together a wonderful, complex, historically accurate image of St. Francis and his radical gospel charism. However many Francis biographies you may have read, this one will offer you insights and facts you haven't come across before...unless you're one of those Franciscan scholars listed in Spotto's excellent bibliography -- or have worked your way through all three of those fat volumes of the new "Omnibus." As a Secular Franciscan, I've read dozens of Francis books over the past thirty-plus years, but I couldn't put this one down. If Franciscans had a required reading list (unthinkably un-Franciscan!), this book should be at the very top of it.
Rating: 
Summary: The man behind the legends
Review: This is a timely book in many ways. Francis's message of peace resounds through the centuries and could be applicable today on so many levels. Perhaps the greatest strength of this book is its analysis of the historical record with an eye towards unmasking the true person that was Francis of Assisi. This examination helps to explain the legends of Francis preaching to the animals and of the stigmata in a way that is plausible while remaining true to the spiritual truth of the man. It serves as a reminder that historical documents often include symbolic or figurative language and care must be taken to interpret them in context and not to rely on overly literal readings. Even with the legends explained, Francis remains a fascinating and powerful figure, someone deserving of tremendous respect and worthy of emulation.
Rating:
Summary: Elegant and insightful
Review: You'd think there would be little left to say about Francis. Thousands of articles, monographs, and books have been written about the little poor man over the last eight centuries. But Spoto has risen to the occasion in his new book. He makes sense of the frequently confusing chronology of Francis' life in a manner that marks him as a master biographer. But along the way he also offers rich insights about Franciscan spirituality and theology in particular and Christianity in general. (Spoto, by the way, has a doctorate in theology from Fordham University.) Here's an example: "Francis could not but surrender to the immediate impact of Jesus' words: indeed, he approached them simply but fully, putting into practice the biblical counsels without waiting to consider their every implication. In other words, in following the lessons of the New Testament he pursued the reverse of the usual means of pedagogy. He did not try to understand what the Gospel meant and then attempt to find ways of carrying out its message. Rather, he dared the experiment of first living that message, and from living it, discovered a new and practical way of understanding it." (p. 68) Reflections such as this alone would make the book worth reading. But Spoto is such a wonderful stylist and penetrating biographer that the entire book is a joy. I'd recommend it alongside Adrian House's recent "Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life."
Rating:
Summary: Elegant and insightful
Review: You'd think there would be little left to say about Francis. Thousands of articles, monographs, and books have been written about the little poor man over the last eight centuries. But Spoto has risen to the occasion in his new book. He makes sense of the frequently confusing chronology of Francis' life in a manner that marks him as a master biographer. But along the way he also offers rich insights about Franciscan spirituality and theology in particular and Christianity in general. (Spoto, by the way, has a doctorate in theology from Fordham University.) Here's an example: "Francis could not but surrender to the immediate impact of Jesus' words: indeed, he approached them simply but fully, putting into practice the biblical counsels without waiting to consider their every implication. In other words, in following the lessons of the New Testament he pursued the reverse of the usual means of pedagogy. He did not try to understand what the Gospel meant and then attempt to find ways of carrying out its message. Rather, he dared the experiment of first living that message, and from living it, discovered a new and practical way of understanding it." (p. 68) Reflections such as this alone would make the book worth reading. But Spoto is such a wonderful stylist and penetrating biographer that the entire book is a joy. I'd recommend it alongside Adrian House's recent "Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life."
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