fame but contributed meaningfully to the stage. The opening portion of the book introduces the structure of the work and the author’s intent to highlight the careers of actresses such as Sarah Bernhardt, Helena Modjeska, and others. It begins with a preface addressing the importance of recognizing modern actresses and notes the lack of accessible biographies of these women. Specifically, it touches on Bernhardt’s early life, her ambitious nature, and her rise to fame, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of her extraordinary career as the book progresses. The opening characterizes Bernhardt not only as a great actress but as a multifaceted personality whose eccentricities and artistic prowess defined her remarkable journey in the theatre. (This is an automatically generated summary.)