The Treasure of the City of Ladies: Or the Book of the Three Virtues (Classics S.)

Rating:
Summary: I love this book.
Review: I personally find this book to be useful for the modern individual as well as the noble lady of the High Middle Ages, with only a very few mental changes. It combines ideals for the mind and soul with practical advice on marriage and running a household. The second section that offers advice for women of every social class down to beggars and prostitutes is fascinating. I find the book pleasant reading -- in fact, I am about to buy a second copy as my first is wearing out, and a copy as a gift for a friend.
I have a different take on this book than some, in that I am a member of an historical re-creation organization that studies and lives Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Christine de Pisan was writing for the woman that I am on the weekends. I tell my fellow historians that I think this book should be a required read for our queens, princesses, and noble ladies, and at least one knight of my aquaintance makes his squires read it as being useful for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: A Treasure for all people
Review: I personally find this book to be useful for the modern individual as well as the noble lady of the High Middle Ages, with only a very few mental changes. It combines ideals for the mind and soul with practical advice on marriage and running a household. The second section that offers advice for women of every social class down to beggars and prostitutes is fascinating. I find the book pleasant reading -- in fact, I am about to buy a second copy as my first is wearing out, and a copy as a gift for a friend.
I have a different take on this book than some, in that I am a member of an historical re-creation organization that studies and lives Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Christine de Pisan was writing for the woman that I am on the weekends. I tell my fellow historians that I think this book should be a required read for our queens, princesses, and noble ladies, and at least one knight of my aquaintance makes his squires read it as being useful for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Notice the difference in the titles: Three Virtues and The n
Review: Please note that this book is not The Book of the City of Ladies.

Rating:
Summary: I love this book.
Review: Who would think of a 600 year old book being relevant to modern women? But it is. de Pisan provides insight into the mindset of another world (France in the 1400s) as well as engaging observations of women, men, and how they lived in her world. Her ideas and advice still offer insight into modern American culture -- we inherit many influences from mainland Europe and its own history. The richness of her observations of human nature and adept interpolations from her own experience also transcend language and culture barriers. Bear with the old prose and medieval literary trappings. It's fascinating.