William Short summs up the Franciscan tradition as 'chaotic and intuitive, creative and affectionate, radical and obedient', and shows it to be as appealing a way of life today as in the past. He focuses on St Francis of Assisi and St Clare, the Franciscan founders, offers an historical introduction to the Order before illuminating their vision and reflects on key themes of the Incarnation, poverty as a way to God, suffering and healing, and of creation - humanity and nature in harmony. The book forms a bridge between contempoary concerns and the wisdom of the past.