Joan of Arc : Her Story

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Summary: Joan of Arc and her secret missions: my review:
Review: A long time ago this girl saved her country against England but the flames of the Hundreds Years War have died out centuries ago or has it. No, it has not. For centuries after the war, England and France has dominated the world scene from 1400 to 1950. All it is about is world domination from colonies to technology to religion. Last year, the present Duke of Orleans and his team came to Cobourg on a missionary travel venture to explore English North America known as Canada and the United States. I know what they were searching for. You guess.

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Summary: Great book, bad translation
Review: Absolutely wonderful by a first rate historian in the French style. Historically rigourous, gripping, complete. This is the full historical record with no embellishment or fluff. I found the translator's notes and additions rather detrimental, and frankly out of place. It is not the translator's place to reinvent the wheel. The comments were over the top, and not in line with what the author intended, which is obvious from the content. I would highly recommend the book, just not the translation.

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Summary: Awesome for reports...but kinda dull
Review: Don't get me wrong, I love the story of Joan of Arc. I was going to do her for a biography report, but once I started this book I was like 'what the heck is this?" As I read the sentences started opening up and making sense, but it had way too many details. Sure, details are great if you want to get an A on your report, but details also make you forget the important things. When I was finished with my report, I read it over and it took a total of 22 minutes to read <the report> because I got the feeling that every little detail was important. I also felt rushed to read the book because this was a last-minute thing, so I couldn't go back and reread the book. Now I'm not dissing the book or anything. When I had time I curled up in bed and took things slow, reading the paragraphs slowly and stopping every so often so I could make a summary of what I had just read. Then the light began to open up and I understood the real story of Joan of Arc. Until I took time I had only called her a 'great French warrior.' Well, yes, that's true, but not completely. so if you feel that you have enough time to slowly read this book and understand it, go ahead. But if you're an 8th grader like me, and doing this for a book report, get a shorter and smaller 'backup' book if you feel you can't read the entire thing in a week, like I had to hehee. :o)

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Summary: Joan of Arc Her Story
Review: I didn't know a lot about Joan of Arc until i saw the miniseries on tv and then decided to get this book. It's easy to see that a lot of research and thought went into it and it's exactly what you'd want to read if you are interested about Joan's life from when she was "called" to the end. If you are also interested about the people who knew Joan and had an impact on her life or she on theirs then this is the book for you. I'd recommend it to anyone.

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Summary: Brilliant book that made you wish you were there
Review: I didn't know a lot about Joan of Arc until i saw the miniseries on tv and then decided to get this book. It's easy to see that a lot of research and thought went into it and it's exactly what you'd want to read if you are interested about Joan's life from when she was "called" to the end. If you are also interested about the people who knew Joan and had an impact on her life or she on theirs then this is the book for you. I'd recommend it to anyone.

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Summary: A Saint for all Time for Men and Women.
Review: I have read many books on Joan of Arc and seen most of the movies on her, but this book is the best as far as I am concerned and my favoriate.It contains so many of Joan's sayings and her letters and makes you feel you are back there with her. It is well edited. Art Dugan

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Summary: Yes, it's good.
Review: I have seen a number of documentary efforts concerning Joan of Arc over the years, but wanted to get a little closer to the recorded history. I decided to look for a book that could give a compelling account of events while providing plenty of snippets of historical source material. This book fit the bill almost perfectly. The core of this book is a chronological examination of the historical record, which is not identical to a chronological ordering of events. Don't be put off by this approach, however. Its appropriateness and lucidity are well represented here. This "core" section is only 160 pages. The rest of the book consists of translator's preface, semi-biographical sketches, appendices, and the like. Consequently, the only intimidating factor here is the occasional spate of French names and place-names, which I had unusual difficulty keeping straight in my head. The authors are scrupulous about providing context (which is to say, more French historical detail than an English-speaking reader might readily absorb). Your head may swim on occasion. But the pay-off is inevitably worth it. At it's best, this work is more thrilling (and where it deals with Joan's persecution, more chilling) than nearly any work of fiction. However, I recommend you start by skimming the "character" sketches and maps thoughtfully provided in this edition. In short this book is challenging but definitely worthwhile if you want a better understanding of how Joan's mission was viewed by herself and her contemporaries, as well as a large helping of historical backdrop and court intrigue. However, if you prefer a more "conventional" presentation of characters and events (such as a novel), you'll want to keep looking.

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Summary: Great history book!
Review: I studied Joan of Arc for my college senior seminar, and found this book to be one of the most useful books on the subject of her life. Pernoud did an amazing amount of research on J of A's life and times, and had a great amount of information to share. She is also usually one of the more readable historians I have read; every now and then she becomes dry, but this is rare. She has written many books on J of A; this one is the best general reference. It has information on J of A, several people in her life, her time, etc. I would definitely recommend this book (and this author) to those interested in reading about history.

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Summary: Read the preface and be prepared!
Review: I think it wise for anyone who reads this book to begin with the prefaces which give a clue to the overall presentation of the book. I did find myself captivated by the book upon first reading. And though it is easy for us to become lost in the maze of characters involved in St. Joan's life, a testament of how many she affected in the brief time she was alive, there are the second and third parts to enlighten us. The book does well with the presentation of her life. Further, there is plenty of information in the appendices to give someone not familiar with the "life and times" of the late Medieval Age to come away with enough background to have a better understanding of the events that unfold in this book. More interesting reading would be found in Pernoud's "Joan of Arc: In Her Own Words." if one is interested solely in her story without having to worry about a lot of the historical contexts.

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Summary: Second only to Twain's book.
Review: I've read Saint Joan of Arc by Sackville-West, Beyond the Myth by Brooks, and of course Twain's book....but I must say this was my favorite. It's entertaining, factual, and quite a pleasure to read. I highly suggest this one!