Larissa Taylor

A very thorough historical account of the phenomenon Joan of Arc. She was an unlettered girl from a peasant family. But it is made clear by the analysis the primary written sources, that she was an exceptional, bold, charismatic and intelligent young girl who did something outstanding and made history. On page 186 of the book Taylor cites Pope Pius II who tells about her personality and achievements: " She bore the flames with wonderful and gallant courage....Thus died [Joan], that astonishing and marvelous maid, who restored the kingdom of France when it was fallen and almost torn asunder; who inflicted so many heavy defeats upon the English; who being made general over men kept her purity unstained among companies of soldiers; of whom no breath of scandal was ever heard (...) by whose daring the gate of Paris was fired, by whose quick wit and untiring effort the French cause was saved. It is a phenomenon that deserves to be recorded, although after-ages are likely to regard it with more wonder than credulity".… (meer)