The biographer has two lives: The one she leads, and the one she ultimately understands. Stacy Schiff biographerleadlive Change image and share on social
From every ancient source, we have testimony to Cleopatra's irresistible charm, as Plutarch has it, to her ability to speak many languages including, as he puts it, the language of flattery and essentially, to be able to turn people to her will - really a great political genius, in that respect. Stacy Schiff abilityancientcharm share on social
Certainly, I am writing as a 21st-century woman, so I am much more inclined to view her as a three-dimensional woman. I think we keep coming up with this stubborn problem of a woman being judged by her appearance rather than her accomplishments. We are much more inclined to ask: was Cleopatra beautiful? Stacy Schiff 21staccomplishmentappearance share on social
I can't write a line without music - it provides just the right amount of distraction to keep me focused. Clearly, I still miss the noisy roommates. Stacy Schiff amountdistractionfocus Change image and share on social
I'm a sucker for lost worlds. I was nostalgic even as a child. I was happiest in my hometown library in Adams, Mass., where nothing seemed to change. Stacy Schiff adamchangechild Change image and share on social
I wouldn't dare to speculate as to Cleopatra's falling in love. Her relationships are too convenient for that. Stacy Schiff cleopatraconvenientdare Change image and share on social
Recently a study proved that working from a larger, less cluttered computer screen increases concentration. I could have told them that. And yes, I write first drafts with a mechanical pencil and a yellow legal pad. There's good reason for this primitive behavior: I am a crackerjack typist. My hand moves far more quickly than my brain. Stacy Schiff behaviorcluttercomputer share on social
No one in the modern world controls the wealth or territory that Cleopatra did. Stacy Schiff cleopatracontrolmodern Change image and share on social
I don't think there is ever objective biography. Our vision of our subject is always shaped by who we are. So I do, of course, think the biographer's view is always something to keep in mind. Stacy Schiff biographerbiographymind Change image and share on social
Reality does not easily give up meaning; it's the biographer's job to clobber it into submission. You're meant not only to tame it but to extract substance, to identify cause and axiomatic effect. You subsist on the tactical omissions, the hollow words, the oddly unconnected dots. Stacy Schiff axiomaticbiographerclobber share on social