"Hopcke and Schwartz succeed in telling the tales of Francis's ministry . . . in readable and simple language for contemporary American readers. . . . The compact and nicely translated collection is sure to accomplish its mission of presenting the life of this beloved saint."—Publishers Weekly

“This fresh and vibrant new translation of charming tales from the life of St. Francis of Assisi highlights the radical way that Francis lived out the Gospel. These stories—some legendary, some based in fact, some well known, some more obscure—clearly show the revolutionary impact that Francis had on his contemporaries, and how following the teachings of Jesus can be a subversive way of life. First written in the early fourteenth century, the Little Flowers remain a dramatic challenge to a world still obsessed with wealth, power, and self-interest.”—James Martin, SJ, Associate Editor, America, and author of My Life with the Saints

“What a delight to have Hopcke’s and Schwartz’s lively renderings. In the spirit of the Italian vernacular in which they were first told and written, these tales of St. Francis show his earthiness, sensuous love of life, occasional vulgarity, and deep spiritual wisdom. Pace e bene!”—Jon M. Sweeney, author of The St. Francis Prayer Book and The Lure of the Saints