“Joan of Arc, or Personal Memories of Joan of Arc, by Sieur Louis de Contes, her page and secretary” is the writer’s largest historical novel. It is an amazing story of the Maid of Orléans—France’s national heroine, one of the commanders-in-chief of French troops in the Hundred Years’ War.
Captured by the Burgundians, she was handed over to the English and burned at the stake as a witch. Later, she was rehabilitated and canonized by the Catholic Church.
Mark Twain’s novel is outstanding in every respect—historically accurate, gripping, intelligent, and very modern. Especially vividly written are the chapters about the farce of Jeanne d’Arc’s trial.