The Maid and the Queen by Nancy Goldstone

The story of Joan of Arc and Yolande of Aragon the Queen of Sicily in The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc is well told and thoroughly researched by Nancy Goldstone. This piece of history is set near the end of the 100 Years War between England and France. The Queen's political savvy and Joan's pious and youthful enthusiasm serve France well during a time when alliances can be bought, the church is profitable and leaders are often incompetent.

The book would make an excellent movie with the French King, Charles VI, drifting in and out of sanity.  Treachery and larceny consistently trump patriotism. Leaders alternately suffer from fear and hubris.  Academics fight pitched battles over orthodoxy a scenario repeated throughout history.

We get to know Joan as the the quick witted teenager who brims with confidence as she vows to fulfill her vision of restoring Charles VII to the throne of France and driving the British back to England.  Her boldness is her strength and her liability. Her facility with language allows her to inspire troops and defend and verbally destroy her opponents.

Facts about Joan of Arc - 2 min.