Step into the captivating world of the 17th century with Mary C. Rowsell's "Ninon de l'Enclos and Her Century," a riveting biography that paints a vivid portrait of one of history's most intriguing women and the era she influenced. Mary C. Rowsell masterfully brings to life Ninon de l'Enclos, a renowned French courtesan, author, and patron of the arts, who defied societal norms and left an indelible mark on her century. Through engaging storytelling and meticulous research, Rowsell explores Ninon's extraordinary life, her wit, intelligence, and the salon culture she epitomized. The book delves into key plot points, such as Ninon's relationships with influential figures, her philosophical outlook, and her contributions to literature and society. Rowsell's portrayal of Ninon is rich with character development, showcasing her evolution from a rebellious youth to a respected and influential figure in French society. Themes of independence, intellectual freedom, and the complexities of love and power run throughout the narrative. Rowsell also highlights significant passages that reveal Ninon's thoughts on gender, society, and the human condition, offering readers profound insights into her progressive mindset. With a tone that is both elegant and informative, "Ninon de l'Enclos and Her Century" captures the essence of the 17th century, from the opulent salons of Paris to the intricate dynamics of court life. Rowsell's vivid descriptions and well-crafted prose immerse readers in the historical context, making the past come alive with vibrancy and detail. Since its publication, the book has been celebrated for its thorough research and engaging narrative. Historians, literary enthusiasts, and general readers have praised it for shedding light on a fascinating period and an even more fascinating woman. Engage with this compelling biography and discover the world of Ninon de l'Enclos—a world where wit and intellect triumphed over societal constraints. Whether you're a history buff, a lover of biographies, or someone interested in the stories of remarkable women, this book offers a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration. In conclusion, "Ninon de l'Enclos and Her Century" is more than just a biography—it's a window into a transformative era, seen through the eyes of a woman who challenged and shaped it. Rowsell's detailed and captivating portrayal makes this book a must-read for anyone looking to understand the interplay of gender, power, and culture in history. Don't miss your chance to delve into this enriching and enlightening narrative. Get your copy today and join the many readers who have been enthralled by Mary C. Rowsell's literary accomplishment. Don't miss your chance to explore the life and times of Ninon de l'Enclos. Let "Ninon de l'Enclos and Her Century" transport you to an era of intellectual brilliance and social intrigue. Grab your copy now and uncover the legacy of one of history's most fascinating women.

Now in paperback, an award-winning look at French salons and the women who presided over them In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, between the reign of Louis XIII and the Revolution, French aristocratic society developed an art of living based on a refined code of good manners. Conversation, which began as a way of passing time, eventually became the central ritual of social life. In the salons, freed from the rigidity of court life, it was women who dictated the rules and presided over exchanges among socialites, writers, theologians, and statesmen. They contributed decisively to the development of the modern French language, new literary forms, and debates over philosophical and scientific ideas. With a cast of characters both famous and unknown, ranging from the Marquise de Rambouillet to Madame de Sta‘l, and including figures like Ninon de Lenclos, the Marquise de Sevigne, and Madame de Lafayette, as well as Pascal, La Rochefoucauld, Diderot, and Voltaire, Benedetta Craveri traces the history of this worldly society that carried the art of sociability to its supreme perfection–and ultimately helped bring on the Revolution that swept it all away.

From the 1750s to the 1830s, numerous British intellectuals, novelists, essayists, poets, playwrights, translators, educationalists, politicians, businessmen, travel writers, and philosophers brooded about the merits and demerits of the French language. The decades under consideration encompass a particularly tumultuous period in Anglo-French relations that witnessed the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), the American War of Independence (1775-1783), the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1792-1802 and 1803-1815, respectively), the Bourbon Restoration (1814-1830), and the July Revolution (1830) - not to mention the gradual expansion of the British Empire, and the complex cultural shifts that led from Neoclassicism to Romanticism. In this book, Marcus Tomalin reassesses the ways in which writers such as Tobias Smollett, Maria Edgeworth, William Wordsworth, John Keats, William Cobbett, and William Hazlitt acquired and deployed French. This intricate topic is examined from a range of critical perspectives, which draw upon recent research into European Romanticism, linguistic historiography, comparative literature, social and cultural history, education theory, and translation studies. This interdisciplinary approach helps to illuminate the deep ambivalences that characterised British appraisals of the French language in the literature of the Romantic period.

From Pulitzer-Prize-nominated author Susan Griffin comes an unprecedented, provocative look at the dazzling world of the West’s first independent women, whose lively liaisons brought them unspoken influence, wealth, and freedom. While they charmed some of Europe’s most illustrious men honing their social skills as well as their sexual ones, the great courtesans gained riches, power, education, and sexual freedom in a time when other women were denied all of these. From Imperia of sixteenth-century Rome, who personified the Renaissance ideal of beauty; Mme. de Pompadour, the arbiter of all things fashionable in eighteenth-century Paris and Versailles; Liane de Pougy, known in France during the Belle Epoque as “Our National Courtesan”; to Sarah Bernhardt, who, following in her mother’s footsteps, supported herself in her early career with a second profession, The Book of the Courtesans tells the life stories and intricacies of the lavish lifestyles of these women. Unlike their geisha counterparts, courtesans neither lived in brothels nor bent their wills to suit their suitors. They were strong- willed, autonomous, and plucky. An open secret, their presence can be felt throughout our culture. The muses who enflamed the hearts and imaginations of our most celebrated artists, they were also artists in their own right. They wrote poetry and novels, invented the cancan at the Moulin Rouge, and presented celebrated acts at the Folies Bergères. They helped to influence and shape the sensibility of modern literature, painting, and fashion. When Greek sculptor Praxiteles wanted to depict Venus he used a famous courtesan as a model, as in later centuries Titian, Veronese, Raphael, Giorgione, and Boucher did when they painted goddesses. When Marcel Proust was a young man it was the courtesan Laure Hayman who took him under her wing, introducing him to the right people, and providing inspiration for one of literature’s greatest masterpieces. And they often had considerable political influence too. When King Louis XV needed advice on foreign affairs or appointments of state he turned to Jeanne du Barry as well as Pompadour. In her witty and insightful prose, as Griffin celebrates these alluring and fascinating women, she restores a lost legacy of women’s history. She gives us the stories of these amazing women who, starting from impoverished or unimpressive beginnings, garnered chateaux, fine coaches, fabulous collections of jewelry, and even aristocratic titles along the way. And through a brilliant exploration of their extraordinary abilities, skills, and talents which Griffin playfully categorizes as their virtues "Timing, Beauty, Cheek, Brilliance, Gaiety, Grace, and Charm" her book explains how, while helping themselves, through their often outrageous, always entertaining examples, the great courtesans not only enriched our cultural heritage but helped to liberate women from the social, sexual, and economic strictures that confined them. Intensively researched and beautifully crafted, The Book of the Courtesans delves into scintillating but often hidden worlds, telling stories gleaned from many sources, including courtesans’ memoirs, presented along with stunning rare photographs to create memorable portraits of some of the most pivotal figures in women’s history.