Originally published in French in 1894, Sabatiers was the first modern biography of Francis of Assisi. It was a worldwide bestseller, and in 2003 when this new edition was first published, it again sold more than 60,000 copies and was a selection of History Book Club.

This new 120th anniversary edition includes a dozen additional annotations and a new preface by the editor, putting Sabatiers influential work into its historical context, showing why it is still the most essential life of the saint.