Craveri (French literature U. of Tuscia Vitergo; and Insituto U. Suor Orsola Benincasa Naples) explores an art of sociability pursued by a group of French nobles in the 18th century. Finding a territory halfway between the court and the Church she says they engaged in a strictly secular ethical and aesthetic project that could succeed without theological backing. She ends her study with the French Revolution after which she says there was not a substantial body of people with the magnificent idleness to concern themselves solely with celebrating themselves. Civilt della coversazione was published by Adelphi Edizioni in 2001. Annotation 2005 Book News Inc. Portland OR (booknews.com)
