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Rating: 
Summary: What Fun!
Review: Although not every saint is listed here there are a lot of saints in this book! The blurbs on each saint are short and easy to read. They are interesting and informative. I appreciated the lists in the back fo the book that told me what saint was my birthday saint, my name saint, and other patron saints I might have based on career, nationality etc. A neat little book.
Rating: 
Summary: Warning! Consider the source when looking at this book.
Review: I bought this book as a gift and after reading a bit, wished I had not! The "wit" some reviews have mentioned is in very poor taste. I was shocked when I read a mention of St. Joseph that included an old "joke" about him that had no place in a book of Saints. I felt confused and betrayed. So I did what I should have done before, I looked at the authors. On the cover (the back I think) was the usual blurb about who wrote the book. I was dismayed to find I'd bought a Saints book by 2 Professed EX-Catholics! If you're looking for something Catholic, consider the source. Ever since that day, I always have. May I suggest Bob & Penny Lord's books? Now those are Catholic!!
Rating:
Summary: Extremely entertaining! (AND informative!)
Review: I just love this little book, I find I have checked it out of the library so many times that I am definitely going to buy it. I have always been interested in the lives of saints. Let's face it, they lived so long ago, in times unimaginable to us, and there are so many strange stories attached to their lives. Some stories in here are so bizarre that they're funny, but I guess this is where Faith comes in. This book lists the saintly people from A to Z and is full of odd anecdotes, fascinating old illustrations, and tells you which saints are associated with what (St. Clare - patron saint of television? Who knew?) I think some of the associations should be updated, how many barrel makers and brewers are around nowadays? Very interesting, very humorous, very informative. (This from a cheerfully lapsed Catholic.) Not a Definitive Version of Lives of the Saints, I'm sure, but good reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Heard any good Saint Peter jokes, lately?
Review: This is the hippest hagiography I've seen so far, although the subtitle is a little misleading. For instance, the book doesn't even mention St. Joan de Chantal, who so fervently wanted to join the convent that she supposedly stepped over her children as they clung to her apron, pleading with her not to leave. (I know exactly how this woman felt.) Nor is St. Albans mentioned as patron saint of falconry; his life was allegedly spared as he was about to be burned at the stake, when a pure white gyrfalcon landed on his head. Some of the information is interesting--who knew St. Augustine is the patron saint of brewers?--and it really does flesh out the lives of saints we've heard about while growing up, like Saint Nick. And yes, there is a St. Wolfgang and (goll-eee!!) a St. Gomer. There are also appendices of name saints and patron saints, and scanning through the list leads me to believe that mad dogs and the Evil Eye were big concerns back in the Dark Ages. I wish it were a little more inclusive. But as one who has experienced personal intercessions by several saints--and is therefore intrigued by this subject--I found this book very enjoyable.
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