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Joan of Arc  By  cover art

Joan of Arc

By: Mark Twain
Narrated by: Michael Anthony
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Publisher's summary

Very few people know that Mark Twain wrote a major work on Joan of Arc. Still fewer know that he considered it not only his most important, but also his best work. He spent 12 years in research and many months in France doing archival work, and then made several attempts until he felt he finally had the story he wanted to tell. He reached his conclusion about Joan's unique place in history only after studying in detail accounts written by both sides: the French, for whom she raised an army to return the Dauphin to the throne; and the English, who fought the French in the Hundred Year's War and were ultimately Joan's executioners. This is a fascinating and remarkably accurate biography of the life and mission of Joan of Arc told by one of this country's greatest storytellers.
Public Domain (P)1992 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Joan of Arc

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Twain's best

Mark Twain considered Joan of Arc to be the best human our world ever produced. His great admiration shines through and can't help but inspire the reader as well. Although the story takes some fanciful flights, it is a marvelous and amazing recounting of a peasant girl leading a nation to freedom. Since French independence was so pivotal to the American revolution, it is a part of our own history. It is a reflection of the best in human nature.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Henry V's challenger & 100 year war come alive

Well read, good quality audio, but more importantly, wonderfully written. Twain makes the 100 year war come alive. He creates a balance against the heroic Henry V. You walk the streets and understand the zeitgeist. You cheer for the people, disparage the royalty, wince at the church.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Joan of Arc by Mark Twain

Hands down: This is the MOST comprehensive work on the life of Joan of Arc. Mark Twain knew his subject matter inside and out when he wrote this biography. Without a doubt, I would recommend this title to anyone who is interested in this subject. An excellent listen at 16 hrs. or any amount of time!!!

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A great listen

Twain is one of the five best writers in the English language ever and this work is up to his usual standard. It is beautifully constructed and detailed. The structure relieves any dryness from the history but does not lose any context or content. A huge pleasure to listen to. Naration is clear and well executed.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best!

I agree with Mark Twain when he says this is his best novel. It was fantastic and I hated when it was over. The description of the battles and Joan's life were wonderful. Truly inspiring.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Expect dramatization

On one hand, I do love the way that Mark Twain writes and find it fascinating that he even undertook to write such a complete book about Joan of Arc. On the other hand, it is a very dramatized biography - complete with hundreds of very long conversations that can't possibly be verified or likely even reported by anyone other than Twain. So it's more of a weaving of mythology, history and Mark Twain's imagination than it is any kind of true biography. It did make for easy listening though and a general understanding of what Joan of Arc was all about in history.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

fascinating

I have been reading a number of biographies and histories recently. I was raised Catholic and certainly heard of Joan of Arc, but never knew her story and the context. Twain did a wonderful job telling her story and it's a fascinating one.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

What an amazing and heartbreaking tale.

What an amazing, and sadly short life. I didn't want to keep listening because I did not want to hear the unavoidable ending, but I was so captivated by the story. I've added another soul to the list of afterlife meetings I'd like to have; Joan of Arc.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful account

The story of Joan of Arc as part of Mark Twain's catalogue is odd, but truly a undervalued and misunderstood masterpiece.
His grasp of the times shows true understanding and his grasp of her saintliness shows true spiritual comprehension.
Pick this one up!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I love it!

A work of art in every sense. A true adventure.The best book I have ever read.

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6 people found this helpful