Becoming Belle da Costa Greene

The ample cache of letters Greene left behind, gathered…in [this book]…reveals an indefatigably witty, puckish soul who savored books and art, had an active social life and loved gossip and a good story. -- John McWhorter * New York Times * Depicts the career of this great scholar of manuscripts and early printed books through Greene’s letters, mainly to her mentor and lover Bernard Berenson, while also providing insightful connecting commentary. The result makes for compelling reading on multiple levels, not least for its evocation of the last years of the Gilded Age. -- Michael Dirda * Washington Post * [This] excellent study introduces us to Belle’s private and professional life with scholarly knowledge, with elegance, talent and ease…I highly recommend this marvelous work to libraries and book lovers everywhere. -- Opritsa D. Popa * Rare Book Hub * Offers readers insight not only into the creation of one of America’s foremost scholarly institutions, but also into the art and craft of writing as a powerful means of self-transformation. -- Timothy Kircher * Humanities Watch * A nimble study that touches on a wide range of subjects…more than anything, [Greene’s] correspondence with Berenson communicates the vivacity of a woman, rare in her time, for whom the personal sphere…and the professional one were inseparable. These excerpts testify to the scope of her interests and competencies. -- Francesca Trivellato * Il Sole 24 Ore *