I have written (this book) for men who want to understand themselves better, writes Dr. Hofer in the Preface, who sense that there is more to being a man, and that this has fascinating dimensions. Markus Hofer has accomplished the remarkable feat of helping us to see Saint Francis, not as the birdbath, not as Brother Happy, but as a man. He has shown us the characteristics of Francis and the events of his life that are particularly of benefit to men. He has imagined how Francis might comment upon these events himself. He has done all this is an effort to help men learn what can be particularly for them in Francis' story.
