Description: Continuing his popular series of novels about saints of the Church, de Wohl devotes his considerable talents to an interpretation of one of the most unusual women of all time, St. Catherine of Siena. The daughter of a prosperous dyer in 14th-century Siena, Catherine devoted her life to Christ, persuaded the Pope to move from Avignon to Rome, subdued the warring City-States of Italy, and changed the face of her world.
Brief description: Louis de Wohl was a highly acclaimed novelist who wrote numerous best selling historical novels on lives of the saints, many being made into films. Sixteen of his books were made into films. Pope John XXIII conferred on him the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.His works include Lay Siege to Heaven, Set All Afire, Citadel of God, The Spear, Joyful Beggar, The Quiet Light, and more.
Review Quotes:
"This novel artfully combines solid historical scholarship with lively dialogues, and sheds light on the greatness and sublimity of the woman's mission in the Church. The fact that an untutored woman gained power over Popes and political events by identifying her will with God's will, manifests eloquently that real strength i.e. supernatural strength comes from the joyful acceptance of one's 'nothingness.' Humility, charity, prayer and sacrifice not scholarship taught Catherine true theology, and made her a Doctor of the Church. This book can teach a lot to modern scholars and to women seeking liberation."
"These pages positively glow with de Wohl's discovery of history's public secret: there is no life more human than the supernatural life of a saint and no romance greater than the struggle to love only what God loves."
-Fr. George Rutler, Author, Seven Ages of Man