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What a great book. It makes me realize how little I really knew about St Francis of Assisi. I love his poems and I loves his peaceful stance in life. I know many of his works and some stories, but I really didn't know much about his life.

The man was very committed to poverty. I wouldn't want to live with him back then, but he created a third order for ordinary people that didn't have to take a vow of poverty and I would join that branch.

He was an amazing person. He reminds me a lot of Teresa of Avilla. They both have such complete faith in God. Francis also reminds so much of Buddhist doctrine. He apologized to rocks he accidentally stubbed and he moved worms out of his way. He roamed around like a buddhist monk does giving sermons. They philosophy is so close actually.

There are some beautiful stories in here about the man. I love the one he talks about being filled with fear and in a vision God forgave his sins and after that he lived a life of compassion and Love. He was quite a person and I admire him even more.

The artwork is very pretty. Many times Demi doesn't give us an actual background so our characters are flying in their window, but it's still beautifully.

Things I learned: Francis was a noble, very popular and dreamed of going off to war. He did and was captured for a year. He was about to join the pope's holy war when he got sick and couldn't go. Then he went into service for the lord. I guess war is just always popular. I guess it always will be.

There is one story, Francis went to North Africa during a war with the muslims and talked directly with the Sultan asking to stop the war. The Sultan didn't, but he was very impressed and gave Francis permission to travel anywhere he chose.

He certainly didn't have filial piety. His father got made when Francis gave all his father's money to the church to rebuild. The father was angry and tried to rage against Francis. Well, Francis stripped down to the skin, left his clothes and worldly goods to his father and said he wasn't his father any longer, his only father was God in Heaven. That seems a pretty sad story to me. There is no mention of him ever making up or forgiving his father. To me, that's sad. Again, very buddhist.

Great little history.