Synopses & Reviews
Drawing from the works of Dante, Catherine of Siena, Boccaccio, Aquinas, and Cavalcanti and other literary, philosophic, and scientific texts, Heather Webb studies medieval notions of the heart to explore the “lost circulations” of an era when individual lives and bodies were defined by their extensions into the world rather than as self-perpetuating, self-limited entities.
Review
"This elegant and erudite book gets to the heart of medieval conceptions of everything from poetry to science, theology, and politics. The originality of the argument, the brilliance of its conception, and its almost unique status will make this a must-read in Dante studies."—Giuseppe Mazzotta, Yale University
Review
“By illuminating medieval conceptions of the relationship between body and soul, Webb shows us how medieval thinkers understood life. Her approach is original, her execution both innovative and exciting.”—Renate Blumenfeld-Kosinski, University of Pittsburgh
Review
"Throughout, Webb's readings are astute and sensitive; she manages to say something new about well-known texts and to convince the reader that many noncanonical but fascinating writings deserve close attention. Erudite, lucid, and profoundly original, this admirable interdisciplinary study will be invaluable to those interested in medieval studies."—S. Botterill, CHOICE