Affective Power: Biographies on Sex and Marriage.

This article provides a review of three biographies that examine the lives of women in different historical contexts. The first biography, "The Perfect Fascist" by Victoria de Grazia, delves into the life of Attilio Teruzzi, a devoted follower of Mussolini, and the significant roles that women played in his life. The second biography, "Empire's Mistress" by Vernadette Vicuña Gonzalez, tells the story of Isabel Rosario Cooper, an actress in the Philippines who was often overshadowed by her relationship with General Douglas MacArthur. The third biography, "Woman between Two Kingdoms" by Leslie Castro-Woodhouse, explores the life of Dara Rasami and her experiences as an outsider in Siam's royal court. These biographies offer valuable insights into the complex lives of these women and their interactions with larger historical events. Additionally, the article discusses two related books that further explore the lives of Isabel Rosario Cooper and Dara Rasani, providing intimate details through personal documents and photographs. These books will be of interest to scholars and students studying gender studies, Asian studies, and Thai history, as they shed light on the struggles for agency and independence faced by women in patriarchal societies. [Extracted from the article]