From the publisher: Reading Francis' writings is like being "on the road" with him 800 years ago Biographies will only take you so far. It's impossible to truly understand Francis of Assisi without reading his writings. Sweeney has compiled all of the ones that we are most certain come from Francis himself, including his first Rule of life, the Rule he wrote for the Third Order, letters to friends, letters to people in power, messages to all Franciscans, songs, praises, canticles, and his final spiritual Testament. An introduction and explanatory notes throughout the book help to put the writings into historical and theological context. "The man is ever-fruitful, and the world never tires of hearing from him _ Francis of Assisi, that is! Now you have the luxury of a very good translation of his original writings, in words that we can now appreciate." -Friar Richard Rohr, OFM Center for Action and Contemplation Albuquerque, New Mexico "We can be grateful that Jon M. Sweeney has rendered the saint's essential writings so artfully, in a language both passionate and simple—and thus faithful to the style of Francis and the substance of his life. This little book offers a vivid compendium of the Gospel, calling us to set aside greed and relinquish extravagance in seeking the heart of Christ. It is a faithful guide for all who desire that God might 'enlighten the shadows of [their] heart' and come to know that God is 'all the riches we require.'" -Mark S. Burrows, Ph.D. Professor at the University of Applied Sciences, Bochum (Germany); scholar of medieval mysticism, poet, and translator of Rainer Maria Rilke's Prayers of a Young Poet