How to Do It
by Rudolph M. Bell
1999
Rate this book:
No club is reading this yet — be the first to start one
About
Hope to conceive a boy? Tie a tourniquet around your husband's left testicle. Pregnant and fear a weak or malformed baby? Frequent hearty laughter should reduce the risk. And if you're a teenager of good repute, avoid dancing at all costs and stay away from wine, cosmetics, and flashy dress, too. What may seem quirky to today's readers certainly wasn't to its original audience - Renaissance Italians.
They read advice manuals prodigiously, seeking guidance from the latest books by bestselling alchemists and snake-oil peddlers like Mrs. Isabella Cortese and Dr. Leonardo Fioravanti with an avidity not bestowed even on a Dante or a Machiavelli. How to Do It shows us sixteenth-century Italy from an entirely new perspective: through manuals which were staples in the households of middlebrow Italians just trying to lead better lives.
Discuss How to Do It with other readers
Join or start a book club for How to Do It on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a book club for How to Do It?
Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with How to Do It as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.
Can I discuss How to Do It with other readers online?
Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about How to Do It with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.
Is Readfeed free?
Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.