A scholarly yet highly readable study of the lives of upper class women in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, It is regarded as a feminist work yet the author constantly points out the contradictions between the assumptions of feminist historians and the evidence of the women's correspondence which is her source. It reveals unexpectedly close physical and emotional involvement in their children and family lives as well as expanding intellectual and cultural horizons.
(Jane Grey-Edwards - bwl 9 June 2001 ) |
