LOUIS DE WOHL:

Louis de Wohl was born 1903 in Germany to Catholic parents and started writing when only seven years old because “some of the stories that he read did not go the way he wanted.”

deWohl lived in Germany until 1935, by which time he had had 30 novels published, comprising adventure stories and thrillers, with 16 of these publications being made into motion pictures. He left Germany because he could no longer respect the law under the new Hitler regime.

Moving to England it took 5 years of learning the English language, customs and mentality before he could commence writing again. de Wohl volunteered to join the British armed forces for the Second World War, but his application was declined due to his foreign upbringing. He eventually joined as an officer in the Department of Psychological Warfare.

Warfare made de Wohl question his use of his talents writing thrillers and adventure stories, and he vowed that if he survived the Second World War that he would serve God. Having seen the effects of false ideals on people, de Wohl realised that people wanted to be led by outstanding examples of humankind and that this was the reason why the saints should be venerated. de Wohl decided to write historical novels whose heroes and heroines were saints, including-

Imperial Renegade: written when de Wohl discovered that the problems of the saints were the problems of his own time and that only they could solve them.

Throne of the World: written in response to peoples’ concerns about the danger from the East, and revolves about the Western World when Attila the Hun invaded Germany, France and Italy until only Pope Leo I stopped his army single-handedly.

The Living Wood: the story of St. Helena who re-discovered the True Cross

In May 1948, de Wohl had an audience with the Holy Father in Rome and asked him what he wanted de Wohl to write about. This led to de Wohl writing the Quiet Light (published in 1950), in response to the Pope’s request for a novel about St. Thomas Aquinas.

At a second audience with the Pope, de Wohl was asked to “write about the history and mission of the Church in the World.” This advice resulted in a large body of work, including-

The Restless Flame - St. Augustine
The Golden Thread - St. Ignatius Loyola
The Spear - St. Longinus
The Last Crusader

De Wohl married his wife Ruth Magdalene Lorch in 1953 and his distinguished literary career resulted in 50 books until his death in 1961. de Wohl was also made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Skillfully weaves the story of St. Ignatius Loyola’s conversion and pilgrimage with the colourful and dangerous history of Spain and Italy in the early 16^th century.

A novel of the last days of Christ ranges from the palaces of imperial Rome to the strife-torn hills of Judas, reaching a climax in the drama of the Crucifixion.

Tells the story of the life of Thomas Aquinas from the eyes of his family members in the 13^th century.

Set in the Italy of the early 6^th century, telling the lives of Boethius, who becomes governor for the king in spite of his patriotism for the dying Rome, Peter a young would-be assassin and patriot, and Benedictus, who became appalled by corruption in Roman society and retreats to become a hermit.

An interpretation of one of the most unusual women of all time, St. Catherine of Siena.

Tells the story of the soldier and merchant’s son who might have been the right-hand man to a king and who became instead the most beloved of all saints, St. Francis of Assisi.

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Revised 17 December 2006