by Anthony Cooney
Saint George’s tale, like that of many hero-saints, has been overlaid with the fond embellishments of story-tellers throughout the generations. Anthony Cooney has re-examined the historical sources for the life of St George, and has forged these into a stirring and original historical novel. Here we rediscover St George as Giorgios Theognosta, the Roman cavalry officer from Lydda in Palestine, a Christian during the last days of the pagan Empire, a brave man who stands up for his faith during the final great wave of persecution. Giorgios’ integrity and military skill, inherited from his murdered father, bring him success in his career, but this success brings him the envy of a powerful enemy, one whom he will ultimately have to confront. In Giorgios’ company we journey to the corners of an Empire striving to hold its borders against those who reject Roman rule – from Germania to North Africa, from Persia to Britannia – encountering along the way a throng of historical characters: Aurelian, Diocletian, Galerius, Zenobia, an old British king named Coel, and Giorgios’ great friend, a promising young officer of the imperial family named Constantine . . . The action-filled narrative reveals much about the Christian Church of the third century, about life in the Roman army, and about how extraordinary legends can arise through the affectionate exaggeration and symbolic story-telling of a devoted scribe.
About the Author(s)
Anthony Cooney was born in Liverpool and graduated from the Open University. He was editor of the Liverpool Newsletter (1973–1993) and is author of several books including The Leonine Corpus as a Third Way, Bread in the Wilderness, and Sources of Poverty. He lives in Liverpool, England with his wife Margaret. He has two daughters and two grandchildren.
Mark Elvins is Fransiscan Capuchin friar with the Franciscan Study Centre in Canterbury. He is warden of Greyfriars Hall at Oxford, and the author of works such as Saint George – Who Was He?, “St” Thomas of Dover: Monk and Martyr, St Thomas Becket and the Homeless, and Catholic Trivia.
Table of Contents
Foreword —Mark Elvins, OFM Cap.
Preface —Anthony Cooney
Part I A.D. 270
Chapters 1-14
Part II 272-286 A.D.
Chapters 15-25
Part III 275-285 A.D.
Chapters 26-38
Part IV A.D. 289-A.D. 303
Chapters 39-72
Part V St. George, A.D. 303-
Chapters 73-76
Paperback, 320 pages
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