Francis of Assisi: A Life
Frugoni, a professor of medieval history at the University of Rome, provides a respectful, insightful biography of St. Francis of Assisi. Rather than concentrating solely on the previously well documented life and times of the remarkable visionary and aesthetic, the author attempts to delve into the psyche of St. Francis, analyzing his motivations and ambitions within the historical context of the late-twelfth and early-thirteenth centuries. Born in Assisi, Italy, in approximately 1182, Francis, the son of a wealthy merchant, chose to live and work among the poor in an innovative attempt to literally live out the message of the gospel. Inspiring a small but devoted band of followers, Francis advocated a lifestyle of itinerant preaching, selfless service, and extreme poverty. Approaching her subject from a philosophical and social angle, Frugoni analyzes the nature and significance of Francis' mysticism, introspection, and interpersonal relationships. A thoughtful and provocative examination of one of the most beloved saints in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.Margaret Flanagan