I used to not care for St Francis, compared to other saints. But then I realized it was those annoying environmentalist/animal rights people who turned me off St F. I read some misleading stuff on what he was supposed to have said and didn't care for it. But now that I know more about the real St. F (but not enough), I am very interested in him. He sacrificed a lot to follow Jesus..

So I am wondering what is the most interesting book on him? I am wondering, in fact, if there are many books on him?

I used to live near a Catholic book store but now, I am far from one.. otherwise I would go there and look around

There are hundreds of books on him--maybe thousands. My personal favorite is God's Fool. No matter what book you read, it will challenge the way you look at things, because that's what St. Francis does.

I completely disagree with Father on this, of course! By the way, my favorite book on St. Francis is God's Fool, and it played a pretty significant role in my reversion.

Thank you for not agreeing with me.

Francis of Assisi: A New Biography.

By Fr. Augustine Thompson, OP

thank you. I will try to find it

how does that bk compare to God's Fool? have u read both?

Not as entertaining, but much better researched, more complete historically, and more accurate

I'm not going to criticize a book I haven't read, but I suspect the OP will get more out of the book I suggested.

ok thanks.. what do u mean "entertaining"?

https://www.augustineinstitute.org/brot ... dio-drama/

The Augustine Institute released an audio book, Brother Francis, which can be found on the Catholic resource web site FORMED.org. It even "beat" Audible's Treasure Island for the award. This is if you'd like an audio dramatization.

i prefer reading

By Julien Green, right?

These are the biographies available to me. Which is the best?

A mended and broken heart, Wendy Murray
St Francis of Assisi: The Legend and The Life, Michael Robson
My God and My All, Elizabeth Gouge
The Life And Prayers of St Francis Assisi, Wyatt North
Francis of Assisi: A New Biography, Fr. Augustine Thompson, OP
God's Troubadour, Sophie Jewett
Francis of Assisi : the life and afterlife of a medieval saint, Vauchez-Cusato

Having never ready any of them, I don’t know.

I have Fr. Augustine's book, but I've yet to read it. Abp. Chaput recommended it though

I have read only one book on St. Francis of Assisi, this one from Ignatius Press which conjoins one biography of St. Francis with one biography of St. Thomas Aquinas, both by G.K. Chesterton, a colossal and fantastic thinker and writer. But Chesterton gives the view from 30,000 feet, not always the details that usually go into a biography, but fascinating connections and summaries. I would offer nearly the same review to recommend a biography of St. Thomas Aquinas.

I would not read the Chesterton biography until you've read another one. Chesterton presumes you already know the life of the saint. It is an excellent read, though. [Ditto -- though not quite as much so -- with the St. Thomas Aquinas biography.]