Other editions of book Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc

Twain said,” I like Joan of Arc best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others need no preparation and got none.”Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full “Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte” who is identified further as Joan's page and secretary. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, "Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France".De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life - as a youth in Domremy, as the commander of Charles' army on military campaign, and as a defendant at the trial in Rouen. The book is presented as a translation by Alden of de Conte's memoirs, written in his later years for the benefit of his descendants.

This is Twain’s recounting of the life of Joan of Arc, a historical figure with whom the author was deeply fascinated. While Twain’s take on the martyr has been dismissed by some critics as heavily romanticized, he considered it to be his finest work. The last of his novels to be completed, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc is an excellent read for anyone hoping to experience Twain at the height of his maturity.

Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte who is identified further as Joan's page and secretary. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, "Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France". De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life - as a youth in Domremy, as the commander of Charles' army on military campaign, and as a defendant at the trial in Rouen. The book is presented as a translation by Alden of de Conte's memoirs, written in his later years for the benefit of his descendants.

This edition includes 10 illustrations. While Samuel Clemens, who is better-known and immortalized by his pen name Mark Twain, will always be remembered for novels like Huckleberry Finn, as well as works which display his biting comedic wit, in 1896 he published Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, a fictional but deeply-felt tribute to the French teenager who became a martyr during the Hundred Years’ War. Told from the point of view of a childhood friend and page to the “Maid of Orleans,” Personal Recollections chronicles three major periods in the Catholic saint’s life, displaying Twain’s personal passion and interest in this fascinating historical individual.

No one ever took Joan seriously...Joan of Arc was gifted with visions instructing her to liberate France from the armies of the English. As a young woman she defied friends, family, and even members of the government in her attempts to free the French.By the strength of her personality and her ability to foretell the future, Joan convinced the King of France to grant her an armed force. In return, she led her small band of followers to take on and defeat the might of the English. Her conviction ensured her a place at the forefront of France's military history.During her adventures, Joan of Arc inspired unlikely allies to join her, faced danger unflinchingly, planned battle-winning strategies and had the insight to motivate a nation. All that stood between Joan and her visions becoming reality were the treacherous actions of bureaucrats, and a King unable to think for himself.From Mark Twain, the writer of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (also published by Campfire), comes an engaging tale of friendship, courage, conviction and treachery. Since 1896, the original novel of Joan of Arc has been reprinted again and again, proving that its themes of determination, friendship and sacrifice are still relevant in today's modern world.

Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte who is identified further as Joan's page and secretary. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, "Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France".De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life - as a youth in Domremy, as the commander of Charles' army on military campaign, and as a defendant at the trial in Rouen. The book is presented as a translation by Alden of de Conte's memoirs, written in his later years for the benefit of his descendants.

Twain said,” I like Joan of Arc best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others need no preparation and got none.”Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full “Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte” who is identified further as Joan's page and secretary. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, "Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France".De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life - as a youth in Domremy, as the commander of Charles' army on military campaign, and as a defendant at the trial in Rouen. The book is presented as a translation by Alden of de Conte's memoirs, written in his later years for the benefit of his descendants.

Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte who is identified further as Joan's page and secretary. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, "Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France".De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life - as a youth in Domremy, as the commander of Charles' army on military campaign, and as a defendant at the trial in Rouen. The book is presented as a translation by Alden of de Conte's memoirs, written in his later years for the benefit of his descendants.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A lengthy historical novel written because Joan of Arc was Clemens' favorite historical character. He stated: "It means more to me than anything I have ever undertaken." Clemens devoted twelve years to researching and writing this novel. Harper's Magazine serialized it first in three monthly installments (April 1895-April 1896) without his name. He used the pseudonym Sieur Louis de Conte to prevent the work's not being taken seriously under his own name, while the name of the translator, Jean Francois Alden, is referred to as a pun on John Alden. This edition contains many of the fine drawings that had appeared in the periodical. (From "A Centennial For Tom Sawyer")

Book Two: In Court and Camp Book Two begins with the elimination of Joan’s hindrances. With support from her Visions, Joan leaves the village at age 17 to request control of the army from the king. In Chapter IX, after Joan successfully defends herself in trial for witchcraft, the King appoints Joan "General-in-Chief of armies." In Chapter X, Joan begins to organize her campaign, writing a letter to the English commanders at Orleans, demanding them to vacate France. The English refuse, and Joan attacks immediately and frankly despite the generals and counselors advice that France remain on the defensive. Through this aggressive military campaign, Joan secures several victories over the English. On July 5, the English forces surrender at Rheims, allowing the Bloodless March and Coronation of Charles to take place. During the coronation, Joan asked the King to remit taxes on Domremy. After the coronation, Joan requested permission to attack Paris, saying that the move would cripple the English forces. The King's wicked counselors, however, oppose her in the attempt. The King initially grants Joan permission to attack, but just as Joan is on the verge of victory, the King announces a long-term truce with Paris, which indicates a ceasefire. Joan and de Conte are upset at the lost opportunity. The final chapter relates the events of May 24, 1430, in which Joan and the French lost a battle to the English and Burgundian troops, resulting in Joan's capture. Throughout Book 2, de Conte speaks of Joan's virtue (bans prostitution, gambling, and profanity in the army; requires that each man attend church; and shows mercy towards English prisoners) as well as Joan's divine powers (recognizes the king without notice, finds a hidden sword in the church, foresees war-wounds and her upcoming death).

Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte who is identified further as Joan's page and secretary. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, "Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France".De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life - as a youth in Domremy, as the commander of Charles' army on military campaign, and as a defendant at the trial in Rouen.