
Transcriber's Note:
Chapter I The Problem of St. Francis
Chapter II The World St. Francis Found
Chapter III Francis the Fighter
Chapter IV Francis the Builder
Chapter V Le Jongleur de Dieu
Chapter VI The Little Poor Man
Chapter VII The Three Orders
Chapter VIII The Mirror of Christ
Chapter IX Miracles and Death
This thoughtful portrait tackles the enigma of a man who straddles history and holiness. The narrator explains three ways one might write about the beloved figure—treating him as a secular humanitarian, as a devout mystic, or as a modern observer seeking a balanced view. By choosing the third path, the author invites listeners to explore Francis’s compassion for nature, his radical humility, and his daring attempts at peace, all while questioning how his legacy fits into today’s world.
The narrative unfolds with gentle humor and keen insight, guiding you through the paradoxes that made the saint both a rebel and a reverent soul. Expect vivid sketches of his love for animals, his challenges to wealth, and the cultural ripples he caused—from art to poetry. It’s an engaging blend of history, philosophy, and personal reflection that brings a medieval visionary into contemporary conversation.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (244K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Tim Lindell, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries).
Release date
2020-08-31
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1874–1936
A master of wit and paradox, this beloved English writer turned essays, mysteries, and religious reflection into something lively, funny, and surprisingly warm. He is especially remembered for the Father Brown stories and for ideas that still spark readers more than a century later.
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