Rosalynd Pflaum

"The Tsar was handsome in an exotic way, with high cheekbones, a Kalmuck nose set in a chubby, round face, sideburns bushy as a squirrel's tail, and a fresh complexion that resulted, supposedly, from washing his face daily with a block of ice. The imperial shoulders were heavily padded - gossips claimed one was lower than the other - and his cinched-in, wasp waist had to be seen to be believed. Since even a sovereign's buckskin breeches had be to wetted down before they were donned, His Imperial Majesty must have been hoisted into his, for he wore them so skintight that no woman was ever left in doubt concerning the imperial desire."

Oh! If you like this kind of thing, Rosalynd C. Pflaum is certain to meet _your_ desire as well. This is a face-paced, easy-reading, and rather trashy history of a mother and her two daughters who were determined not to allow their gender to prevent them from playing an outsized role in European affairs in the early 19th century. And really, how much do you know of the history of the Duchy of Courland? My knowlege of the Cours has easily tripled through the reading of this book!

Of course, it helped that the Grand Duchess Anna-Dorothea of Courland and her daughters the Princesses Wilhelmina and Dorothea were among the wealthiest women of their time. They were intelligent and charming and rich - and if none of them was really a great beauty, they made up for it in other ways. Each of these remarkable women was determined in her own way to help shape "European affairs," they did so through liasions with Tsar Alexander of Russia, the French Prince Talleyrand, and Austria's Foreign Minister Count Metternich - among others.

One particular problem with the book: Pflaum carries the story of the women up through the Napoleonic Era and the Congress of Vienna, but then essentially draws the curtain in 1815, and ends her story "in medias res" even though the two daughters had decades left in their lives.… (plus d'informations)

This is a narrative, chronological biography of two generations of Curies, focusing on their discoveries and on the obstacles they faced as women scientists.

This is directed at middle readers, and they will find a lot of value here: clear explanations, well-selected illustrations and a decent index. Older teens and adults will be left wondering (as I was) about some of the more complex implications about gender, class, and personal relationships. It did make me want to learn more about these remarkable women, though.… (plus d'informations)