Christine de Pizan: Her Life and Works

Christine de Pizan (1364-1429?) was France's first woman of letters. She turned to writing out of economic necessity, but soon found her way to the center of Europe's intellectual life. Christine openly expressed her views on many issues, particularly French politics and the condition of the lives of women.

Among her many enduring works are the official biography of King Charles V, the only contemporary account of Joan of Arc, and the classic defense of women, The Book of the City of Ladies.

The result of more than forty years of research, this definitive biography vividly recounts Christine's rise from society poet to eminent writer, and discusses her work at length and in relation to her life and times.

"A treasure trove of delights... her crisp and unpretentious prose makes this biography a pleasure to read." — Katharina Wilson, Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature

"A valuable contribution to women's history." — Ms. magazine

"An outstanding work... a rare and judicious balance between erudition and popularization, sacrificing neither to the other and excelling in both at once." — Marvin J. Ward, French Review

• Author
• Charity Cannon Willard

• Format
• paperback

• Pages
• 266

• Publisher
• Persea Books, Inc.

• Language
• english

• ISBN
• 9780892551521

• Genres
• history, biography, medieval, france, feminism

• Release date
• 1990