The Road to Siena: The Essential Biography of St. Catherine

Catherine of Siena's influence was felt throughout the kingdoms of Europe. She enjoyed the confidence of popes, royalty, and most of all, the common people of Italy. A complicated woman, she was able to speak bluntly to a queen: "Instead of a woman, you have become the servant and slave of nothingness, making yourself the subject of lies and of the demon who is their father"; and also encourage the wife of a simple tailor: "Clothe yourself in the royal virtues."

Her story is told in this la...