Power of a Woman. Memoirs of a turbulent life: Eleanor of Aquitaine
Paperback, 398 pages
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Eleanor of Aquitaine brings her astonishing odyssey to life in POWER OF A WOMAN, her memoir of marriages to two warring kings, Louis VII of France, then England's Henry II. Eleanor recalls wars, intrigues and ruthless diplomacy while confessing her loves, her hopes for her children and their fates -- wresting power from kings and popes while carving space for the feminine in history. Dry wit marks Eleanor's tale of her Court of Ladies and her mystique as the femme fatale of her day. Chicago's Margaret Schmidt calls Robert Fripp "a rare magician, a writer's writer." Read reviews, excerpts and Melissa Snell’s full-length review of this "enjoyable, enlightening book."
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Review Power of a Woman. Memoirs of a turbulent life: Eleanor of Aquitaine
Lulu Sales Rank: 7568
7 People Reviewed This Item
"Eleanor in depth"
Robert Fripp's novel/faux memoir has much more multi-layered depth than any of the dozen or more Eleanor books I've read. The characters are richer, the stories and themes have many more angles, and the Eleanor who saw more and aimed higher than the powerful people she played with, really comes through at age 80. It's not the most 'pop' or easy of the books, but it's the richest in its vision, much of it coming from Fripp's journalistic rigour as a former CBC series producer for "The Fifth Estate". He sees very far, in many directions--as did Eleanor.
"Power of a Woman"
In “Power of a Woman,” Eleanor of Aquitaine plays a leading role in a world of power-drunk males. Before reading it, I never understood the historic context in which England’s Queen learned to temper her headstrong, impulsive behavior and shape an agenda that changed the power structure of England and Europe.
If you don’t read this book out of historic interest, read it out of love of language. I suspect that Robert Fripp is a descendent of one of Eleanor’s own troubadors. His rhythmic crescendos enable us to see, hear, taste, and touch Eleanor’s world. His word pictures dig deep into the psyche, and remain.
... More >
In “Power of a Woman,” Eleanor of Aquitaine plays a leading role in a world of power-drunk males. Before reading it, I never understood the historic context in which England’s Queen learned to temper her headstrong, impulsive behavior and shape an agenda that changed the power structure of England and Europe.
If you don’t read this book out of historic interest, read it out of love of language. I suspect that Robert Fripp is a descendent of one of Eleanor’s own troubadors. His rhythmic crescendos enable us to see, hear, taste, and touch Eleanor’s world. His word pictures dig deep into the psyche, and remain.
... More >
"A Great Read!!"
"Power of a Woman" brings us an "autobiography" of Eleanor of Aquitaine that is accessible and entertaining! Eleanor was Medieval Europe's most interesting woman. In an age when women were considered a necessary evil, and expected to bear sons and be quiet, she defied tradition. She married two of the most powerful men in Europe, and birthed several more. She went on Crusade. She ruled vast territories. She created a definition of love that survives to this day. Telling her story in Eleanor's voice, Robert Fripp shows us Medieval Europe through her eyes: Crusades, wars, enmities, alliances, eternal subterfuge. Fripp's vision brings the very stones and glass of cathedrals... More >
"Power of a Woman" brings us an "autobiography" of Eleanor of Aquitaine that is accessible and entertaining! Eleanor was Medieval Europe's most interesting woman. In an age when women were considered a necessary evil, and expected to bear sons and be quiet, she defied tradition. She married two of the most powerful men in Europe, and birthed several more. She went on Crusade. She ruled vast territories. She created a definition of love that survives to this day. Telling her story in Eleanor's voice, Robert Fripp shows us Medieval Europe through her eyes: Crusades, wars, enmities, alliances, eternal subterfuge. Fripp's vision brings the very stones and glass of cathedrals... More >
"A Woman For All Seasons"
How captivated I was with "Power of a Woman"!
I found the ruthless nature of the twelfth century shocking, wrought
with not only loveless, but murderous marriages! I understood that
alliances (marriages) were the crucial scaffolding on which the survival
of a clan depended, but I did not realize that royal issue became
betrothed as infants, and that the female of the match went to live with
future in-laws in order to be more completely absorbed into the social
intricacies of that clan. Simply, the toddler was held... More >
How captivated I was with "Power of a Woman"!
I found the ruthless nature of the twelfth century shocking, wrought
with not only loveless, but murderous marriages! I understood that
alliances (marriages) were the crucial scaffolding on which the survival
of a clan depended, but I did not realize that royal issue became
betrothed as infants, and that the female of the match went to live with
future in-laws in order to be more completely absorbed into the social
intricacies of that clan. Simply, the toddler was held... More >
"Power Of A Woman"
"Power Of A Woman" is gripping in its wealth of detail. It makes me feel like I am in the midst of all the action. Of all the books I have read, this is the only one that makes me experience what it must have felt like to have lived through those troublesome, exciting times. Such a wonderful and exciting book! This book is more than just a book; it contains a wealth of exciting information on its people and the times in which they lived. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an exciting, historically accurate book!
Lady Shirley Cassidy
Dublin, Ireland
Lady Shirley Cassidy
Dublin, Ireland
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