Georges Duby, a member of the Académie Française, is Professor of Medieval History at the Collège de France.

In the original sense of the term, A History of Private Life is a series of essays: attempts at a new, non-narrative kind of history. Sumptuously illustrated with pictures, maps, and photographs, the book is a feast for the eye; it is fascinating, often compelling in its exquisite details… A kaleidoscopic effect is doubtless part of the authors’ purpose: to question our assumption that we understand the history of Renaissance individualism and make us realize that it is as complicated as the variety of traces left by three centuries of private life.

• Introduction by Philippe Aries 1. Figures of Modernity by Yves Castan, Fran&ccdeil;ois Lebrun, Roger Chartier Introduction by Roger Chartier Politics and Private Life The Two Reformations: Communal Devotion and Personal Piety The Practical Impact of Writing 2. Forms of Privatization by Jacques Revel, Orest Ranum, Jean-Louis Flandrin, Jacques Gelis, Madelaine Foisil, Jean Marie Goulemot Introduction by Roger Chartier The Uses of Civility The Refuges of Intimacy Distinction through Taste The Child: From Anonymity to Individuality The Literature of Intimacy Literary Practices: Publicizing the Private 3. Community, State, and Family: Trajectories and Tensions by Nicole Castan, Maurice Aymard, Alain Collomp, Daniel Fabre, Arlette Farge Introduction by Roger Chartier The Public and the Private Friends and Neighbors Families: Habitations and Cohabitations Families: Privacy versus Custom The Honor and Secrecy of Families Epilogue by Roger Chartier Notes Bibliography Credits Index