The City of Ladies (Penguin Great Ideas)

More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA. A fascinating insight into the debates and controversies about the position of women in medieval culture, written by France's first professional woman of letters. The pioneering Book of the City of Ladies begins when, feeling frustrated and miserable after reading a male writer's tirade against women, Christine de Pizan has a dreamlike vision where three virtues—Reason, Rectitude, and Justice—appear to correct this view. They instruct her to build an allegorical city in which womankind can be defended against slander, its walls and towers constructed from examples of female achievement both from her own day and the past: ranging from warriors, inventors, and scholars to prophetesses, artists, and saints. Christine de Pizan's spirited defense of her sex was unique for its direct confrontation of the misogyny of her day and offers a telling insight into the position of women in medieval culture. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves -- and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives -- and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.Pioneering female writer Christine de Pizan's spirited defence of her sex against medieval misogyny and literary stereotypes is now recognized as one of the most important books in the history of feminism, and offers a telling insight into the role of women in a man's world. Throughout History, Some Books Have Changed The World. They Have Transformed The Way We See Ourselves - And Each Other. They Have Inspired Debate, Dissent, War And Revolution. They Have Enlightened, Outraged, Provoked And Comforted. They Have Enriched Lives - And Destroyed Them. Now Penguin Brings You The Works Of The Great Thinkers, Pioneers, Radicals And Visionaries Whose Ideas Shook Civilization And Helped Make Us Who We Are. Pioneering Female Writer Christine De Pizan's Spirited Defence Of Her Sex Against Medieval Misogyny And Literary Stereotypes Is Now Recognized As One Of The Most Important Books In The History Of Feminism, And Offers A Telling Insight Into The Role Of Women In A Man's World.