is the first of a new series of shortbiographies, which I am writing with thepurpose of bringing to life some of themost important men and women in thehistory of the world. There is no betteragent of human understanding andhuman knowledge than the course of asingle life, with all the events andaspirations, ambitions and achievements,which may accompany it. To enter theconsciousness and personality of a manor woman, of any period, is to see thatperiod from within. That is my intention.