false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179511778m/926026.jpg 926026 1 The Goodman of Paris (Le Ménagier de Paris) wrote this book for the instruction of his young wife around 1393. He was a wealthy and learned man, a member of that enlightened haute bourgeoisie upon which the French monarchy was coming to lean with increasing confidence.When he wrote his Treatise he was at least sixty but had recently married a young wife some forty years his junior. It fell to her to make his declining years comfortable, but it was his task to make it easy for her to do so. The first part deals with her religious and moral duties: as well as giving a unique picture of the medieval view of wifely behaviour it is illustrated by a series of stories drawn from the Goodman's extensive reading and personal experience.In the second part he turns from theory to practice and from soul to body, compiling the most exhaustive treatise on household management which has come down to us from the middle ages. Gardening, hiring of servants, the purchase and preparation of food are all covered, culminating in a detailed and elaborate cookery book. Sadly the author died before he could complete the third section on hawking, games and riddles.This unique glimpse of medieval domestic life presents a worldly, dignified and compelling picture in the words of a man of sensibility and substance.The distinguished historian EILEEN POWER was Professor of Economic History at the University of Cambridge. 911031 30 3 2006 The Goodman of Paris (Le Ménagier de Paris): A Treatise on Moral and Domestic Economy by A Citizen of Paris, c.1393 total:2|3:2| 2 6 7 0 0 0 false false Mon Jul 20 02:08:16 -0700 2009 Mon Jul 20 02:08:16 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sat Mar 21 16:39:44 -0700 2009 Sat Mar 21 16:39:53 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Thu Aug 20 05:12:59 -0700 2009 Mon Mar 09 05:03:03 -0700 2009 Thu Aug 20 05:12:59 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Fri Jan 16 21:08:02 -0800 2009 Fri Jan 16 21:08:02 -0800 2009 0 0 false false Thu May 29 10:28:44 -0700 2008 Thu May 29 10:28:44 -0700 2008 3 0 false false Mon Feb 25 06:21:49 -0800 2008 Mon Feb 25 06:21:49 -0800 2008 3 0 false false Sat Feb 02 13:29:36 -0800 2008 Sat Feb 02 13:29:36 -0800 2008 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=926026