Mark Twain spent over a decade researching Joan of Arc, and it shows. This first volume follows her incredible journey from a peasant girl in Domrémy to the savior of France. It’s told by her fictional page, Louis de Conte, who gives us a front-row seat to her life.

The Story

We meet Joan as a kind, deeply religious child in her village. She starts hearing heavenly ‘Voices’ that tell her she has a sacred mission: to drive the English out of France and see the Dauphin crowned king. The book follows her struggle to be taken seriously—first by her family, then by local commanders, and finally by the skeptical court at Chinon. Against all odds, through sheer conviction and a few clever tests, she wins the right to lead an army. The volume ends with her preparing for the military campaigns that would make her legend.

Why You Should Read It

Forget the stiff, stained-glass version of Joan. Twain paints her as wonderfully human—pious but witty, humble but stubbornly brave. You feel her frustration as grown men dismiss her, and you share in her small victories. Twain’s admiration for her is contagious. He isn’t just writing history; he’s defending a character he clearly loved against all the doubters, past and present. It’s a side of Twain—earnest, even reverent—that most readers never see.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves a great underdog story, or for fans of historical fiction that feels personal and alive. If you only know Twain for his satire, this book is a fascinating and heartfelt detour. It’s for the reader who wants to understand the girl behind the myth, told by one of America’s greatest storytellers at his most sincere.