Total Books: 3 Total Pages: 631 Longest: 235 Shortest: 163
Genres: 3 (Biography – 1, History – 1, Thriller – 1)
G.K. Chesterton – Saint Francis of Assisi: The Life and Times of St. Francis
The English writer, G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), known for his wit and paradoxical writing style, published over 100 books and 4000 essays, with some of his best-known works being the Father Brown detective stories upon which the British TV series is loosely based. Chesterton converted to Catholicism in 1922 and in 1923 published this work which he called a “sketch” of the life and philosophy of Francis.
This book was recommended reading in preparation for our late February through early March trip to Italy which included going to Assisi where we were privileged to view the mortal remains of Francis (1181-1226) upon the 800th anniversary of his death (Note 119). As a non-Catholic, I’m not very well acquainted with all their “saints”, and really all I knew about Francis was that he founded what became known as the Franciscan Order with their dedication to a ministry of obedience, poverty, and chastity in service to the poor. I did not realize that also included a cloistered order for women (the Poor Clares) founded with “Saint” Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), one of his followers, around 1212.
While not a traditional biography, Chesterton focuses on the events in Francis’ life that lead to his life of devotion and development of his ideology. This book was very helpful in providing a background for our experience in Assisi.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel – The Buried City: Unearthing the Real Pompeii
This book, translated into English from Zuchtriegel’s native German, provides new insights into what today’s archaeologists are learning about life in Pompeii in the first century AD. In 2021, Zuchtriegel achieved his dream job, becoming the director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park.
After almost 280 years, it is still only two-thirds excavated, so there is much left to discover and some of the recent discoveries are providing the impetus to rethink some long-held beliefs about everyday life there.
This book provided a great introduction to Pompeii in advance of our March visit (Note 125).
Chad Zunker – In His Wake
With the trip prep reading out of the way, it was time to jump back into fiction with this thriller from Austin (Texas)-based writer, Chad Zunker. I’ve read 8 previous books by Zunker and enjoyed them all. They are generally page turners with settings I’m familiar with in the state. This one is no different.
A high-powered Austin lawyer dies in a mysterious boating accident, then a few months later a presidential candidate is assassinated in Austin, and the stage is set for intrigue as the lawyer’s firm may be involved in the assassination, and could the lawyer actually still be alive. The lawyer’s sons, a reporter and an FBI agent, each try to figure out what is going on before they are next.
Until next time, read what pleases you!
Notes By Nancy 
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