Includes bibliographical references (p. 167-178).

Map of Benedict's Italy -- Preface -- Introduction -- Chronology -- Medieval biography -- Gregory and Benedict -- A golden Roman -- In a dark time -- Family and education -- School of rhetoric -- Disinheritance and a cracked sifter -- Unwanted celebrity -- The rock and the bell -- Solipsistic hermithood? -- Vicovaro and Subiaco -- Miracles of lake and spring -- A bored monk and bad bread -- Turning pagan rites into Monte Cassino -- Writing down a little rule -- How Benedict heals a boy -- Scant bread, scarce olive oil -- King Totila's farce -- Totila's genuine visit -- Greed and a lamp -- Impolite pride -- Tarracina -- The poor and oppressed -- Resurrection child -- Benedict's final heartaches -- Conversation and a cloud -- The death of twins -- A posthumous touch.