My British pal David Bodanis has a new book out: Passionate Minds. Why do I feel as if I’ve been going to weekly book launch parties lately…..whatever he is doing in London is too far to jump on a plane for, as much as I miss my old haunt.
Passionate Minds gives a feel for the extraordinary life of Emilie du Châtelet, 18th century fencer and gambler; partner with Voltaire; brilliant scientist…. David recently sent me a snippet from the book worth sharing. It reminded me of why and how he could write a book like this one. The only thing missing is hearing him read a poem or two. For another time…..
… They rode to an inn outside the city walls, they had chicken cooked in wine, there were candles everywhere, and Emilie raced in conversation, faster than anyone Voltaire had ever met, eyes sparkling as she teased and leapt against his words. This was special. He’d never even had a male friend like this, so what kind God had created this delightful woman, still just 27?
Voltaire kept it a secret at first. To the mutual friend who’d brought Emilie, he merely wrote a polite thank you for the evening. But he and Emilie had become lovers almost immediately, and just a few weeks later he wrote a poem for Emilie, telling what he now felt:
Why did you only reach me so late?
What happened to my life before?
I hunted for love, but found only mirages
I found only the shadow of our pleasure.
You are a delight
You are tender
What pleasure I find in your arms
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
