The talents of Jacopo da Varagine: a Genoese mind in Medieval Europe

Jacopo da Varagine (c.1228-1298) is remembered today primarily for his immensely popular work 'The Golden Legend', a massive collection of stories about the saints.

Compiled over the years 1260-67, it quickly eclipsed earlier collections of saints' lives.

One indication of its popularity is the fact that so many manuscript copies of the work have survived.

Despite the enduring influence of 'The Golden Legend', Jacopo remains an elusive figure because he left behind so little information about himself.

This book sets out to remedy this situation through a careful study of all Jacopo's works, including many hundreds of sermons and his innovative chronicle of Genoese history.