St. Anthony: Words of Fire, Life of Light

Rating:
Summary: Facts come alive via fiction
Review: "The author has given 'life' to this marvelous saint by taking the reader and literally putting them in the picture. As I read this book, I marvelled at the ability of anyone to write in such a way that allows one to believe they are right there---in the story. I came to have greater knowledge and even greater affection for Saint Anthony. By participating through the written word, I was allowed to travel with him on his missionary trips, his teachings, and his wonderful preaching as well as his audience with Pope Gregory IX, and his great love for St. Francis. His sermons were and still are life-changing and life-challenging. One measure of a person is not just how much 'they' loved but how much they are loved in return...and for St. Anthony, love returned hundred fold. He gave much love; he received much love. His deep and abiding love for our Savior, Jesus Christ is vitally apparent by the breadth and depth of his life commitment. Fact has been mixed with fiction in the book, but facts of this saint's life are not lost in the fiction. The book contains many vignettes of St. Anthony's life plus notes for each vignette in each chapter. The chapter notes give the source for the actual words of St. Anthony's sermons and other exchanges as well and why the author chose to give a particular fictional slant around which to build the facts. If anyone desires to read a book which gives flesh, bone, power, and spirit to this great saint...then this is the book for you. It is easy to read, but powerfully written. I would give it 4 stars, but because of the explanatory chapter notes I must give it a 5 star rating."

Rating:
Summary: Facts come alive via fiction
Review: "The author has given 'life' to this marvelous saint by taking the reader and literally putting them in the picture. As I read this book, I marvelled at the ability of anyone to write in such a way that allows one to believe they are right there---in the story. I came to have greater knowledge and even greater affection for Saint Anthony. By participating through the written word, I was allowed to travel with him on his missionary trips, his teachings, and his wonderful preaching as well as his audience with Pope Gregory IX, and his great love for St. Francis. His sermons were and still are life-changing and life-challenging. One measure of a person is not just how much 'they' loved but how much they are loved in return...and for St. Anthony, love returned hundred fold. He gave much love; he received much love. His deep and abiding love for our Savior, Jesus Christ is vitally apparent by the breadth and depth of his life commitment. Fact has been mixed with fiction in the book, but facts of this saint's life are not lost in the fiction. The book contains many vignettes of St. Anthony's life plus notes for each vignette in each chapter. The chapter notes give the source for the actual words of St. Anthony's sermons and other exchanges as well and why the author chose to give a particular fictional slant around which to build the facts. If anyone desires to read a book which gives flesh, bone, power, and spirit to this great saint...then this is the book for you. It is easy to read, but powerfully written. I would give it 4 stars, but because of the explanatory chapter notes I must give it a 5 star rating."

Rating:
Summary: St. Anthony is outstanding!
Review: Scholarly, thoughtful blend of fact and fiction. Writing style is exceptional in bringing to life a real saint into reality. An excellent resource, well annotated.