The Lives of the Muses by Francine Prose

In the classical world of muses, all nine of them were the daughters of Zeus who inspired poets, musicians etc to produce works of genius. Today, says Francine Prose, the worls=d has been weakened and is used almost exclusively to the chic women who help fashion designers inform their latest lines. In her scholarly account, Prose presents nine real women who moved men to greatness and were not merely catalysts but worthy of note in their own right.