Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, Volumes 1 & 2


Read by John Greenman

(4.9 stars; 215 reviews)

Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte." De Conte is identified as Joan's page and secretary. For those who've always wanted to "get behind" the Joan of Arc story and to better understand just what happened, Twain's narrative makes the story personal and very accessible.

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in the words of the published book, "Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France."

It was originally published as a serialization in Harper's Magazine beginning in 1895 and later published in book form in 1896. However the Harper's editors decided to cut 12 chapters that describe much of Joan's Great Trial, saying the chapters were not suitable for serialization since, "They will not bear mutilation or interruption, but must be read as a whole, as one reads a drama." This recording contains the complete text!

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 based his descriptions of Joan of Arc on his daughter, Susy Clemens, as he remembered her at the age of seventeen.

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 needed no preparation and got none." (Summary by Wikipedia and John Greenman) (15 hr 18 min)

Chapters

00 - Vol. I, Book I, In Domremy - Preface 11:30 Read by John Greenman
01 - When Wolves Ran Free in Paris 6:54 Read by John Greenman
02 - The Fairy Tree of Domremy 29:56 Read by John Greenman
03 - All Aflame with Love of France 17:44 Read by John Greenman
04 - Joan Tames the Mad Man 18:50 Read by John Greenman
05 - Domremy Pillaged and Burned 18:02 Read by John Greenman
06 - Joan and Archangel Michael 14:52 Read by John Greenman
07 - She Delivers the Divine Command 16:21 Read by John Greenman
08 - Why the Scorners Relented 4:37 Read by John Greenman
09 - Book II-IN COURT AND CAMP - Joan Says Good-By 4:21 Read by John Greenman
10 - The Governor Speeds Joan 13:54 Read by John Greenman
11 - The Paladin Groans and Boasts 12:48 Read by John Greenman
12 - Joan Leads Us Through the Enemy 16:40 Read by John Greenman
13 - We Pierce the Last Ambuscades 24:47 Read by John Greenman
14 - Joan Convinces the King 16:12 Read by John Greenman
15 - Our Paladin in His Glory 15:10 Read by John Greenman
16 - Joan Persuades the Inquisitors 17:32 Read by John Greenman
17 - She Is Made General-in-Chief 6:54 Read by John Greenman
18 - The Maid's Sword and Banner 10:22 Read by John Greenman
19 - The War March Is Begun 8:03 Read by John Greenman
20 - Joan Puts Heart in Her Army 13:21 Read by John Greenman
21 - Checked by the Folly of the Wise 13:39 Read by John Greenman
22 - What the English Answered 5:44 Read by John Greenman
23 - My Exquisite Poem Goes to Smash 18:34 Read by John Greenman
24 - The Finding of the Dwarf 19:15 Read by John Greenman
25 - Sweet Fruit of Bitter Truth 5:02 Read by John Greenman
26 - Joan's First Battle-Field 11:01 Read by John Greenman
27 - We Burst In Upon Ghosts 5:34 Read by John Greenman
28 - Joan Makes Cowards Brave Victors 10:41 Read by John Greenman
29 - She Gently Reproves Her Dear Friend 10:54 Read by John Greenman
30 - The Fate of France Decided 15:16 Read by John Greenman
31 - Joan Inspires the Tawdry King 17:03 Read by John Greenman
32 - Tinsel Trappings of Nobility 7:05 Read by John Greenman
33 - At Last--Forward! 11:17 Read by John Greenman
34 - The Last Doubts Scattered 8:39 Read by John Greenman
35 - How Joan Took Jargeau 15:26 Read by John Greenman
36 - Joan Foretells Her Doom 6:09 Read by John Greenman
37 - Fierce Talbot Reconsiders 13:24 Read by John Greenman
38 - The Red Field of Patay 7:39 Read by John Greenman
39 - France Begins to Live Again 6:08 Read by John Greenman
40 - The Joyous News Flies Fast 2:58 Read by John Greenman
41 - Joan's Five Great Deeds 9:47 Read by John Greenman
42 - The Jests of the Burgundians 11:44 Read by John Greenman
43 - The Heir of France is Crowned 22:19 Read by John Greenman
44 - Joan Hears News from Home 19:45 Read by John Greenman
45 - Again to Arms 13:18 Read by John Greenman
46 - The King Cries "Forward!" 11:29 Read by John Greenman
47 - We Win, but the King Balks 14:49 Read by John Greenman
48 - Treachery Conquers Joan 6:29 Read by John Greenman
49 - The Maid Will March No More 11:50 Read by John Greenman
50 - The Maid in Chains 8:50 Read by John Greenman
51 - Joan Sold to the English 9:37 Read by John Greenman
52 - Weaving the Net About Her 11:11 Read by John Greenman
53 - All Ready to Condemn 6:32 Read by John Greenman
54 - Fifty Experts Against a Novice 10:21 Read by John Greenman
55 - The Maid Baffles Her Persecutors 17:00 Read by John Greenman
56 - Craft That Was in Vain 10:07 Read by John Greenman
57 - Joan Tells of Her Visions 11:47 Read by John Greenman
58 - Her Sure Deliverance Foretold 23:01 Read by John Greenman
59 - The Inquisitors at Their Wit's End 9:33 Read by John Greenman
60 - The Court Reorganized for Assassination 11:10 Read by John Greenman
61 - Joan's Master-Stroke Diverted 13:35 Read by John Greenman
62 - The Third Trial Fails 17:08 Read by John Greenman
63 - Joan Struggles with Her Twelve Lies 12:24 Read by John Greenman
64 - Undaunted by Threat of Burning 7:34 Read by John Greenman
65 - Joan Stands Defiant Before the Rack 11:22 Read by John Greenman
66 - Supreme in Direst Peril 5:39 Read by John Greenman
67 - Condemned Yet Unafraid 7:03 Read by John Greenman
68 - Our Last Hopes of Rescue Fail 8:32 Read by John Greenman
69 - The Betrayal 19:44 Read by John Greenman
70 - Respited Only for Torture 5:44 Read by John Greenman
71 - Joan Gives the Fatal Answer 12:49 Read by John Greenman
72 - The Time Is at Hand 14:11 Read by John Greenman
73 - Joan the Martyr 12:54 Read by John Greenman
74 - Conclusion 9:16 Read by John Greenman

Reviews

Brilliant Reader


(5 stars)

I've been impressed enough with John Greenman's readings to google him! Fantastic reader, who's made it his mission to read all of Mark Twain's books. And he seems to know them all by heart.... faultless readings, the characters come alive and hundreds of hours of brilliant entertainment. Why would ANYONE watch tv with this freely available? Thank you! Awesome :D

Excellent reading of an excellent book


(5 stars)

I'd like to thank personally the reader, John Greenman, for the superb job he did. What a great book! I enjoyed this very much.

most interesting book and excellent reader


(4.5 stars)

I enjoyed this book. It is worthy of your time. It starts slowly with details you do not realize will be relevant to the rest of the story. You will be glad you kept listing. The pace will quicken and you will not want it to end. The reader is one of the very best!!


(5 stars)

Outstanding rendition of third lengthy story. The reader had superb diction, flow, sensitivity to the text. And an smooth voice that was easy to listen to.

Personal Recollections of Jean of Ark - Superb


(5 stars)

A less renowned Twain story, but a compelling retelling of the Mayrter's life. Excellent reading by Mr. Greenman

Joan


(5 stars)

Excellent book, full of action and pathos. And of course Greenman's reading is simply wonderful. Thank you, John. TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)

Phenomenal and sadly unknown to many!


(5 stars)

Absolutely amazing! I was surprised to hear that Mark Twain had written a book about a Catholic saint, and especially that it was recommended by a friend of mine! At first, I was skeptical, having read online that Twain was anti-organized religion, so I was anticipating an anti-Catholic and skewed perspective. Boy was I wrong! This book was so well done, giving such detailed information about her life, her calling by God, and her martyrdom. The narrator of the story is fictional, but Twain says it himself that all of the words that Joan of Arc spoke in this book were documented as truly being said. He spent 12 years doing research for this book, and his work paid off, because this book is extremely accurate. The story of Joan of Arc is so powerful, inspiring, and profound, that a young uneducated peasant girl would be given such a holy mission by God, and then accept her martyrdom willingly. All for the love of God. I have watched the movie, The Passion of Joan of Arc, which I really enjoyed, but this book was even better than expected! This book was so wonderful! 5 out of 5 stars, without a doubt! Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us!

Gizmo princess πŸ‘‘ πŸŒΈπŸ’—


(5 stars)

Greatest book ever. This book was an amazing book and I totally recommend reading this it is a fascinating time in history and I loved it so much totally advice reading this wonderful work of art πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– oh yes and if anyone wants or needs a good review on a book y’all can totally look at all my good and bad reviews well there all good ones πŸ€₯. Ok ok fine a few bad ones from when I was little so look up gizmo princess πŸ‘‘ πŸŒΈπŸ’—. And you should not have a hard time finding my reviews well got to go and once agin everyone has to get or read this book it is sad happy rude funny and amazing all at the same time see ya later β£οΈπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ and the last thing you see that part on the top underneath my name the part that says I love this song so much Annie well Annie is my little sister and she somehow figured out how to do that to where whatever reviews I put it will always be under my name I know not fair but I can’t fix it if anyone thinks they know how to fix it text a reply underneath this review we’ll got to go see ya soon love gizmo princess πŸ‘‘ πŸŒΈπŸ’—