St. Francis Revisited

First published in France in 1894 and out of print for several decades, Paul Sabatier's biography of Francis of Assisi was considered the first modern account of the saint, sifting through layers of myth and legend to discover the flawed but extraordinary man who inspired so many people. Now, Sabatier's text is dusted off for a contemporary audience. Jon Sweeney's The Road to Assisi: The Essential Biography of Saint Francis, by Paul Sabatier, offers an excellent introduction to the text, helpful sidebars and notes and fascinating illustrations, not only to introduce readers to the saint but to aid them in engaging "personally with Francis, the human being." (Paraclete, $19.95 178p ISBN 1-55725-328-5; May)

Does Iraq = 666?

For nearly every American war, enterprising Christians have published books about how the enemy du jour is, in fact, the prophesied enemy of the last days. So it is no real surprise to see C. Marvin Pate and J. Daniel Hays's Iraq—Babylon of the End-Times? hitting bookshelves this month. What is surprising is the book's low-key, reasoned argument that Saddam is not actually the ultimate Big Bad. Refreshingly, the authors show admirable restraint and refuse to hazard predictions about Saddam's role in biblical prophecy, preferring to simply lay out biblical prophecy as they understand it and to embrace a stance of "Christian humility" about possible interpretations. They also challenge other evangelicals who claim that Saddam's rebuilt Babylon will be the center of the Antichrist's new world government, arguing instead that "Saddam will probably soon pass from the scene." The final chapter stresses that "an overemphasis on the imminent end and the accompanying consequential hopelessness of the world situation does not serve the cause of Christ." Well said... but then why the doom-and-gloom book cover and teaser title? (Baker, $12.99 paper ISBN 0-8010-6479-1; Apr.)