Frederick M. Biggs

A new review and a new paper, given last week in Oxford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QB7SznSl6o&feature=youtu.be

Again mistakes, but I still think a clearer argument on the main point about the dependence of Florent on the Wife of Bath than in the book. It was in any case fun to present to this audience.

No new takers, but I'll leave the first version below, adding only that the paper last month at King's College London was fun. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFlVdVcPkU&feature=youtu.be

I know there are mistakes, but if you have questions or comments, I'd enjoy hearing them and will respond. Thanks.

Right now I am interested in hearing what you think about Chaucer's Decameron, and it occurs to me that Amazon has provided a format--this--that we could use. One thing that stays with me from many courses on medieval philosophy is Alain de Lille's witty remark that authority has a wax nose: you can lead it wherever you want. He may be wrong. Amazon in all its wisdom could, I guess, shut us down and their reasons for that might or might not be of interest. My book is at its core about Boccaccio's and Chaucer's understandings of economics. Let's see what happens and where you want to go. For my part, I am offering to respond here to any reviews you post.

For the first--I will go in order of when they appeared--I am deeply grateful. That the first woman to hold the chair of medieval German at Oxford would comment on the book is an honor, if in some ways no more than a demonstration of her understanding of social media. You should read her books including her contribution to the recent edition Luther's "Open Letter on Translating," and you should follower her on twitter. (I am not on twitter.)

For the second I am also deeply grateful. I have confirmed, as you might be able to work out, that it was written by a former student, one who contributed substantially to the project. I would hope that would increase, rather than diminish its value.

Thanks, too, to the third. It is neat to have people who know the texts find value in the argument. And you are right: the book does pivot on that short third chapter. I am really glad you like it.

I teach at the University of Connecticut. You could reach me there by email. Because it is public, this format might be more interesting. I look forward to your reviews.