Chapters in this book

1. Front Matter i
2. Contents vii
3. Foreword to the English edition ix
4. Foreword to the Italian edition xii
5. Acknowledgments xix
6. Introduction 3
7. Famous Women
8. Hildegard The genius 13
9. Raingarde, The Mother 22
10. Heloise, The Love-Struck 28
11. Eleanor, The Queen 34
12. Clare, The Founder 39
13. Bridget, The Pilgrim 49
14. Christine, The Writer 67
15. Joan, The Rebel 80
16. Ordinary Women
17. Flora and Business 91
18. Agnesina and Poverty 99
19. Ottebona and Marriage 110
20. Grazia and the Religious Life 121
21. Gigliola and Fashion 128
22. Bettina and Her Potions 138
23. Margherita and Care-Giving 145
24. Belfiore on the Road 155
25. In an effort not to conclude... 165
26. Sources and bibliography 171