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.

Katherine Watt was a stressed out, burned out Silicon Valley executive tired of making corporate decisions, traveling the globe to meet with bureaucratic bodies in Malaysia, China, Singapore, India, Australia and points beyond. She was ready to leave all that behind and to create a new life; a second chapter. She heard the ghosts of the City of Light calling to her and moved to her perfect little apartment in Montmartre where her only decision each morning was where to write today. Armed with her old high school French and level 72 Duolingo skills she jumped into the deep end of the pool. In her efforts to design a new Parisian life she found Ninon.Beautiful Ninon de L'Enclos was life coach to the who's who of the 17th Century, covering Literature, Art, Politics to matters of the erotic. Add to her curriculum vitae courtesan, writer, and hostess to the most sought after Salon of the day where any afternoon one might find Moliere doing a reading of his newest play, de La Fontaine sharing a Fable or watch Ninon artfully fend off the advances of Cardinal Robespierre.Across the centuries Ninon's spirit helps Ms. Watt find a self she didn't know she could be.

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.