Scholz, E&C, Cultural Hist., II

[Paolo]

<b>Chapter 8, <i>Emasculated Heroes of the Western Middle Ages,</i> offers a few of the letters of Peter Abelard to his beloved Heloise and a nice analysis of the era in regards to castration. There arent' many other famous names mentioned, but it seems that Abelard wasn't the only man/boy glad of his status as a castrato when all was said and done. Believe it or not, there actually was a small window of time where the early church just said "oh well, cut it off, good idea."<p>Chapter 9, <i>From the Waning of the Middle Ages to the Witch Trials of the Early Modern Period</i>, sad to say, almost put me to sleep. This is by far the most fact-history driven chapter of the book, but then again no one's perfect. So he's a witch you say? Fine cut his balls off! Moot point. He's going to be burned at the stake anyway.<p>Chapter 10, <i>Angel Voices</i>, you guessed it. The Italian Castrati Era. This chapter reads almost like a condensed version of Patrick Barbier's book about the Castrati singers and leaves almost no detail untouched. Many of the more famous singers are mentioned, a bit more history, but still, very very interesting reading. There is mention of the careers and later lives of Farinelli, et al, and some good speculation on the whole notion of castration of little boys for the sake of the voice. It's probably the finest chapter in the book, information and interest wise.<p>The epilogue, which relates eunuchism through the ages to modern views, even mentions the latest exploits online of Gelding, the Eunuch Archive, online clubs, and even gives the web address to this fine virtual abode! Anyone in any walk of life who reads this book is going to be in for a big shock, which is how the entire last chapter comes across - Eunuchism is alive and well and thriving all over the world. You just don't KNOW about it yet!<p>The notes and bibliography are also very concise, and reveal, if one can find them, a whole plethora of sources on information gathered over the past few centuries about eunuchs and castrati. I shiver at the amount of work that must have gone into this great volume, but it was certainly worth the $19.95 that I paid for it! <p>If you read no other book about eunuchs and castrati, read this one! You'll know more than you ever did, and maybe more than you wanted to know!</b>

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<b>Paolo</b><p><img src="http://www.eunuch.org/bbs_banners/paolo_banner1.jpg" border="0">

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[Paolo]

<b>Chapter 8, <i>Emasculated Heroes of the Western Middle Ages,</i> offers a few of the letters of Peter Abelard to his beloved Heloise and a nice analysis of the era in regards to castration. There arent' many other famous names mentioned, but it seems that Abelard wasn't the only man/boy glad of his status as a castrato when all was said and done. Believe it or not, there actually was a small window of time where the early church just said "oh well, cut it off, good idea."<p>Chapter 9, <i>From the Waning of the Middle Ages to the Witch Trials of the Early Modern Period</i>, sad to say, almost put me to sleep. This is by far the most fact-history driven chapter of the book, but then again no one's perfect. So he's a witch you say? Fine cut his balls off! Moot point. He's going to be burned at the stake anyway.<p>Chapter 10, <i>Angel Voices</i>, you guessed it. The Italian Castrati Era. This chapter reads almost like a condensed version of Patrick Barbier's book about the Castrati singers and leaves almost no detail untouched. Many of the more famous singers are mentioned, a bit more history, but still, very very interesting reading. There is mention of the careers and later lives of Farinelli, et al, and some good speculation on the whole notion of castration of little boys for the sake of the voice. It's probably the finest chapter in the book, information and interest wise.<p>The epilogue, which relates eunuchism through the ages to modern views, even mentions the latest exploits online of Gelding, the Eunuch Archive, online clubs, and even gives the web address to this fine virtual abode! Anyone in any walk of life who reads this book is going to be in for a big shock, which is how the entire last chapter comes across - Eunuchism is alive and well and thriving all over the world. You just don't KNOW about it yet!<p>The notes and bibliography are also very concise, and reveal, if one can find them, a whole plethora of sources on information gathered over the past few centuries about eunuchs and castrati. I shiver at the amount of work that must have gone into this great volume, but it was certainly worth the $19.95 that I paid for it! <p>If you read no other book about eunuchs and castrati, read this one! You'll know more than you ever did, and maybe more than you wanted to know!</b>

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<b>Paolo</b><p><img src="http://www.eunuch.org/bbs_banners/paolo_banner1.jpg" border="0">

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[Paolo]

<b>Chapter 8, <i>Emasculated Heroes of the Western Middle Ages,</i> offers a few of the letters of Peter Abelard to his beloved Heloise and a nice analysis of the era in regards to castration. There arent' many other famous names mentioned, but it seems that Abelard wasn't the only man/boy glad of his status as a castrato when all was said and done. Believe it or not, there actually was a small window of time where the early church just said "oh well, cut it off, good idea."<p>Chapter 9, <i>From the Waning of the Middle Ages to the Witch Trials of the Early Modern Period</i>, sad to say, almost put me to sleep. This is by far the most fact-history driven chapter of the book, but then again no one's perfect. So he's a witch you say? Fine cut his balls off! Moot point. He's going to be burned at the stake anyway.<p>Chapter 10, <i>Angel Voices</i>, you guessed it. The Italian Castrati Era. This chapter reads almost like a condensed version of Patrick Barbier's book about the Castrati singers and leaves almost no detail untouched. Many of the more famous singers are mentioned, a bit more history, but still, very very interesting reading. There is mention of the careers and later lives of Farinelli, et al, and some good speculation on the whole notion of castration of little boys for the sake of the voice. It's probably the finest chapter in the book, information and interest wise.<p>The epilogue, which relates eunuchism through the ages to modern views, even mentions the latest exploits online of Gelding, the Eunuch Archive, online clubs, and even gives the web address to this fine virtual abode! Anyone in any walk of life who reads this book is going to be in for a big shock, which is how the entire last chapter comes across - Eunuchism is alive and well and thriving all over the world. You just don't KNOW about it yet!<p>The notes and bibliography are also very concise, and reveal, if one can find them, a whole plethora of sources on information gathered over the past few centuries about eunuchs and castrati. I shiver at the amount of work that must have gone into this great volume, but it was certainly worth the $19.95 that I paid for it! <p>If you read no other book about eunuchs and castrati, read this one! You'll know more than you ever did, and maybe more than you wanted to know!</b>

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<b>Paolo</b><p><img src="http://www.eunuch.org/bbs_banners/paolo_banner1.jpg" border="0">

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[Paolo]

<b>Chapter 8, <i>Emasculated Heroes of the Western Middle Ages,</i> offers a few of the letters of Peter Abelard to his beloved Heloise and a nice analysis of the era in regards to castration. There arent' many other famous names mentioned, but it seems that Abelard wasn't the only man/boy glad of his status as a castrato when all was said and done. Believe it or not, there actually was a small window of time where the early church just said "oh well, cut it off, good idea."<p>Chapter 9, <i>From the Waning of the Middle Ages to the Witch Trials of the Early Modern Period</i>, sad to say, almost put me to sleep. This is by far the most fact-history driven chapter of the book, but then again no one's perfect. So he's a witch you say? Fine cut his balls off! Moot point. He's going to be burned at the stake anyway.<p>Chapter 10, <i>Angel Voices</i>, you guessed it. The Italian Castrati Era. This chapter reads almost like a condensed version of Patrick Barbier's book about the Castrati singers and leaves almost no detail untouched. Many of the more famous singers are mentioned, a bit more history, but still, very very interesting reading. There is mention of the careers and later lives of Farinelli, et al, and some good speculation on the whole notion of castration of little boys for the sake of the voice. It's probably the finest chapter in the book, information and interest wise.<p>The epilogue, which relates eunuchism through the ages to modern views, even mentions the latest exploits online of Gelding, the Eunuch Archive, online clubs, and even gives the web address to this fine virtual abode! Anyone in any walk of life who reads this book is going to be in for a big shock, which is how the entire last chapter comes across - Eunuchism is alive and well and thriving all over the world. You just don't KNOW about it yet!<p>The notes and bibliography are also very concise, and reveal, if one can find them, a whole plethora of sources on information gathered over the past few centuries about eunuchs and castrati. I shiver at the amount of work that must have gone into this great volume, but it was certainly worth the $19.95 that I paid for it! <p>If you read no other book about eunuchs and castrati, read this one! You'll know more than you ever did, and maybe more than you wanted to know!</b>

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<b>Paolo</b><p><img src="http://www.eunuch.org/bbs_banners/paolo_banner1.jpg" border="0">

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[Paolo]

<b>Chapter 8, <i>Emasculated Heroes of the Western Middle Ages,</i> offers a few of the letters of Peter Abelard to his beloved Heloise and a nice analysis of the era in regards to castration. There arent' many other famous names mentioned, but it seems that Abelard wasn't the only man/boy glad of his status as a castrato when all was said and done. Believe it or not, there actually was a small window of time where the early church just said "oh well, cut it off, good idea."<p>Chapter 9, <i>From the Waning of the Middle Ages to the Witch Trials of the Early Modern Period</i>, sad to say, almost put me to sleep. This is by far the most fact-history driven chapter of the book, but then again no one's perfect. So he's a witch you say? Fine cut his balls off! Moot point. He's going to be burned at the stake anyway.<p>Chapter 10, <i>Angel Voices</i>, you guessed it. The Italian Castrati Era. This chapter reads almost like a condensed version of Patrick Barbier's book about the Castrati singers and leaves almost no detail untouched. Many of the more famous singers are mentioned, a bit more history, but still, very very interesting reading. There is mention of the careers and later lives of Farinelli, et al, and some good speculation on the whole notion of castration of little boys for the sake of the voice. It's probably the finest chapter in the book, information and interest wise.<p>The epilogue, which relates eunuchism through the ages to modern views, even mentions the latest exploits online of Gelding, the Eunuch Archive, online clubs, and even gives the web address to this fine virtual abode! Anyone in any walk of life who reads this book is going to be in for a big shock, which is how the entire last chapter comes across - Eunuchism is alive and well and thriving all over the world. You just don't KNOW about it yet!<p>The notes and bibliography are also very concise, and reveal, if one can find them, a whole plethora of sources on information gathered over the past few centuries about eunuchs and castrati. I shiver at the amount of work that must have gone into this great volume, but it was certainly worth the $19.95 that I paid for it! <p>If you read no other book about eunuchs and castrati, read this one! You'll know more than you ever did, and maybe more than you wanted to know!</b>

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<b>Paolo</b><p><img src="http://www.eunuch.org/bbs_banners/paolo_banner1.jpg" border="0">

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