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Loading... Ladies of the Grand Tourby Brian Dolan
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Featuring a number of women and lots of quotations from the letters and travel writing they wrote, this book focuses on 18th century British women travelling on the continent, mainly in France and Italy. ( ) I was delighted to be able to "live" 18th century travel through the eyes of the woman that Dolan brings to life. I am especially glad not to be travelling like they did - airport security gates are a much aggravation as I can take. Dolan takes his topic broadly. The book is not just a recounting of travel incidents -- it spends considerable time on the significance of being abroad, particularly for those women who spend time in France during the Revolution, eventually fleeing as it turned into the Terror. He conveys a good sense of the differences between that time and this, when views and videos of faraway places are immediately and widely available. This book is particularly set apart by Dolan's sensitive examination of the women's status in their society. I was particularly touched by his discussion of the double-bind that made "frivolous" if they concentrated on domestic and personal matters, but "unwomanly and unnatural" if they attempted to broaden their horizons. I was aware that women were not usually well-educated in this era, but surprised to learn of the panic engendered if they attempted self-education. An excellent book for those interested in this era, in travel, or in the historical situation of women. no reviews | add a review
According to The Art of Governing A Wife (1747), women in Georgian England were supposed to alay up and save, look to the house; talk to few and take of all within. However, some broke from these taboos and took up the previously male privilege of travelling to the Continent to develop mind, spirit and body. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)914.04History and Geography Geography and Travel Geography of and travel in EuropeLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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