Natalie Zemon Davis Books
Natalie Zemon Davis (1928–2023) was an American-Canadian historian known for her innovative work in social and cultural history, particularly of early modern France. A professor at the University of Toronto and Princeton University, she authored influential works such as 'Society and Culture in Early Modern France' and 'Women on the Margins.
Known for: The Return of Martin Guerre
Books by Natalie Zemon Davis
The Return of Martin Guerre
This historical study reconstructs a famous sixteenth-century French case of identity theft, in which a peasant named Arnaud du Tilh impersonated Martin Guerre, a man who had disappeared from his village for years. Drawing on court records and contemporary accounts, Davis explores themes of identity, community, and justice in early modern France, offering a vivid portrait of peasant life and the complexities of personal and social identity.
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The Village of Artigat
Artigat, the small Basque village where Martin Guerre lived, embodies the rhythms and resilience of sixteenth‑century peasant life. In reconstructing its social landscape, I wanted readers to feel the solidity of its communal world—the web of kinship, reputation, and local memory that defined each i...
From The Return of Martin Guerre
Marriage and Early Life
Martin Guerre’s marriage to Bertrande de Rols unfolded within the expectations and pressures of peasant society. They married young, uniting two respectable families, but their union quickly exposed the strains of property and inheritance that shadowed even modest rural households. Early modern marr...
From The Return of Martin Guerre
About Natalie Zemon Davis
Natalie Zemon Davis (1928–2023) was an American-Canadian historian known for her innovative work in social and cultural history, particularly of early modern France. A professor at the University of Toronto and Princeton University, she authored influential works such as 'Society and Culture in Earl...
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Natalie Zemon Davis (1928–2023) was an American-Canadian historian known for her innovative work in social and cultural history, particularly of early modern France. A professor at the University of Toronto and Princeton University, she authored influential works such as 'Society and Culture in Earl...
Natalie Zemon Davis (1928–2023) was an American-Canadian historian known for her innovative work in social and cultural history, particularly of early modern France. A professor at the University of Toronto and Princeton University, she authored influential works such as 'Society and Culture in Early Modern France' and 'Women on the Margins.' Her scholarship is celebrated for its narrative richness and interdisciplinary approach.
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Natalie Zemon Davis (1928–2023) was an American-Canadian historian known for her innovative work in social and cultural history, particularly of early modern France. A professor at the University of Toronto and Princeton University, she authored influential works such as 'Society and Culture in Early Modern France' and 'Women on the Margins.
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