What Nature Does Not Teach ─ Didactic Literature in the Medieval and Early Modern Period

All literature is written with the intent of imparting understanding. However, some are more openly didactic, from books of manners to travel guides to how rulers should conduct themselves. Ruys (Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Sidney, Australia) presents these essays on didactic writing from the early medieval to the early modern periods. Growing from a conference held in Sidney in 2004, the authors approach the literature in terms of who wrote it, why, who for, and how it might have been received. They range from discussions of the philosophy behind the text to individual manuscripts and their glosses. Attitudes toward the education of children and the guidance of women are also discussed as well as the ways in which both these groups subverted attempts to mold their thoughts. The essays are excellent. An index would be useful to the reader. Distributed in North America by the David Brown Book Co Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)