The Mystery of Joan of Arc

The Mystery of Joan of Arc is an essay (or short book) on the legendary French saint, which Arthur Conan Doyle translated and augmented from the French original by Léon Denis. In this spiritualist-flavored biography, Doyle (and Denis) re-examine Joan of Arc's life – her voices, visions, and miraculous feats – through a paranormal lens. They posit that Joan's guiding «voices» (St. Michael, St. Catherine, etc.) might be understood as spirit guides or psychic intuitions in modern terms. The work combines historical narrative with spiritualist interpretation: recounting Joan's humble origins, her divine mission to drive out the English, her battlefield successes, and her trial and martyrdom. Doyle dwells on the mystery of how an illiterate peasant girl could so profoundly alter history, suggesting the answer lies in the unseen influences guiding her. He uses Joan as a example of mediumship or divine intervention that even skeptics must respect. Additionally, the text champions Joan's character and legacy – painting her as a pure vessel for higher power. The Mystery of Joan of Arc is thus part history, part spiritual inquiry, delivered in an admiring tone. For Doyle, a devout spiritualist and chivalry enthusiast, Joan's story validated the idea of «voices from beyond» leading mortals to righteous action, and he conveys that with reverence.