Catherine of Siena: A Passionate Life by Don Brophy

This is a full and comprehensive study of the life and works of Saint Catherine of Siena. This fourteenth century saint is renowned as an influential figure in an age of political conflict and widespread turbulence. The book is also, therefore, a scholarly review of the troubled times in which Catherine lived. She spoke with authority in an age when women were undervalued and given little credence. Brophy concentrates first on the public and political life of Catherine, her efforts to bring peace among the fractious city states and especially to the ending of the scandal of two popes at Avignon and Rome. However, Catherine was also a prolific letter writer and these letters are regarded as great works of fourteenth century Italian literature. This is a book to read slowly as it contains so much scholarly and thought-provoking detail.