The Joyful Beggar: St. Francis of Assisi

In this magnificent and stirring novel, Louis de Wohl turns his famed narrative skill to the story of the soldier and merchant’s son who might have been right-hand man to a king ... and who became instead the most beloved of all saints. Set against the tempestuous background of 13th Century Italy and Egypt, here is the magnificent and inspiring story of Francis Bernardone, the brash, pleasure-loving young officer who was to become immortalized as St. Francis of Assisi.

The story teems with action, pageantry and intrigue with finely conceived characters-the beautiful, saintly Clare, Frederick, the hawk-faced King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor, the Sultan Al Kamil, Pope Innocent III. The scene shifts from Assisi, Rome and Sicily to the deadly sands of Egypt.

This book was made into a feature film by 20th Century Fox entitled Francis of Assisi, now available on video from Ignatius Press.

Louis de Wohl was a highly acclaimed novelist who wrote numerous best selling historical novels on lives of the saints, many being made into films. Sixteen of his books were made into films. Pope John XXIII conferred on him the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.His works include Lay Siege to Heaven, Set All Afire, Citadel of God, The Spear, Joyful Beggar, The Quiet Light, and more.