5 comments about French Spirits: A House, a Village, and a Love Affair in Burgundy.

1. I just finished reading this book. I have never wriiten a review , but I do feel compelled to after reading some of the other reviews posted here. For me, this is a memoir, not a travel guide. I admire anyone who is willing to share his life experiences with me--I find it a most generous act. I feel like writing to the author to thank him for his book. He brought the area and the people to life for me. I am studying French; so the sentences in French (don't be alarmed, he supplies a translation just following) were fun for me to figure out. I liked learning about Henri IV's locks, and learning about the author's childhood. I love a good memoir--and particularly, one by someone who is not famous except in his own circle. I would encourage anyone who feels the same to buy, or borrow this book--and order "Eyewitness France" if you want a travel guide. This book is a lovely eyewitness to a man's life.



2. Beware the spate of books on the topic of Americans/Brits living in France! Talk about publishers milking a trend! Unfortunately, not every author is a Peter Mayle or an Ann Barry. Greene's book, for example, is hopeless--- a shambles as far as organization goes, peopled by clueless, insensitive, and incompletely delineated characters (maybe that last is the good news, because the bad news is that this is a work of non-fiction.) It is about as illuminating of the French culture and countryside as a Greyhound bus tour of the Top Ten tourist sites of the Ile-de-France.
   Don't be taken in by the book's title, as I was. Even we bibliophilic Francophiles have some standards!



3. I just finished French Spirits and then read other reviews. It never occurred to me that the author was being a braggard. The story is full of real characters and the author's acceptance and appreciation of their quirks is obvious. My only complaint is that this swift read ends abruptly. There are implications that his mother does not continue to live with them in France, but we never learn what happens to her. Surely there is a sequel, but perhaps more life has to be lived before he will be ready to write it. I will certainly be waiting.



4. This is the 5th book of it's type I've read in a row. You know the genre, Americans buy a home in ruins and fix it up. I'm a sucker for this kind of book. But the things I've learned from these books are: 1. You have to have bottomless pockets. 2. French government regulations are enough to drive me insane. 3. If I ever do buy a house in France, I will find one that someone else has already roofed, tiled, windowed, painted, landscaped etc etc etc! What a nightmare.
   If you like this sort of book, this one is great because it's located in a different, less written about area of France. And it's every bit as good as Ann Barry's. I always thought Ann was a ninny sort of wimp that depended on the kindness of her neighbors way too much. At least Jeff Greene and his wife were more self reliant.



5. I am beginning my third reading of this memoir of creating a life and finding a world in Burgundy...and that should say how highly I think of Jeffrey Greene's writing. I feel as if I too moved to the old presbyterie with its hundreds of empty wine bottles left by the last, somewhat alcoholic priest/resident. The people and the place are so personally described. Love, life, leaky roofs and fascinating neighbors all wound together by a poet! We are fortunate readers!

No comments about Michelin Green Guide Alsace-Lorraine-Champagne (Michelin Green Guides).

1 comments about South of France, 8th (Country & Regional Guides - Cadogan).

1. I've owned a number of guide books for southern France and examined many more and this is the one I would pick if I could only take one. Rick Steves Provence is good but does not completely cover Provence. After finding too much out of date information in a "new" Lonely Planet I don't trust what I read there. Michelin Green Guide contains valuable information but the organization is troublesome. When I travel to other places I'll look at the guides by Facaros and Pauls first.

2 comments about National Geographic Traveler: Paris, 2d Ed. (National Geographic Traveler).

1. An excellent book for pre trip planning or leaving in the hotel room to check out the next days sights or review what was seen that day. Great photos, good detailed explanations of major sights. Unlike a Knopf book there is not a lot of pages dedicated to history or architecture or plants and animals. For the major sights like the Louvre the book will walk you through (11 pages devoted to the Louvre). Not strong on shopping or nightlife or less well known sights, the maps to the front of each geographic section are an overview but not great for street by street navigating.
   An excellent book, good reading, great photos, not the book to take into the streets, but a definite book to have if you are going. Also great for an armchair traveller.



2. I thought this was a very useful guide to start with. It covers everything from history and culture to how to get around Paris and of course what to do and see as well as where to eat, etc. The pictures are absolutely lovely, and the Paris metro guide in the back comes in handy. The maps could be more detailed, though. For those who can manage French, I would suggest buying an actual guide in French like Le Guide du Routard. No pictures there, but a lot more information.

4 comments about Bread of Three Rivers.

1. I loved this book! It is a wonderful read, the language always fresh, and the author's insights wise, sometime sad, but always big hearted. I learned a lot about modern-day France, but also salt, yeast, water, wheat -- and how the whole world is kneaded into something as simple as a good loaf of bread.



2. I just love the style of this portrait of all the people who contribute to a perfect loaf of French Bread. Beats Peter Mayle hands down in authenticity and beautiful writing.



3. This book offers a fascinating exploration of the sources of French bread, taking the reader to meet vivid and sympathetic figures such as a traditional village baker and his family, "salt farmers" who rake salt from shallow pools by the sea, and the engineers who operate an ultra-modern yeast factory. But moving far beyond "bread alone," it is also full of profound insights into family life, traditional vs. globalized culture, and the meaning of work in a human life. I highly recommend it.



4. This is where it all starts. Get to know the earth and all that is in it. Bread is basic to life, and only four items are required to make it.

5 comments about Little Money Street: In Search of Gypsies and Their Music in the South of France.

1. A somewhat random disjointed description of gypsy life in southern France. The author romanticizes the sad squalid existence of a culture in decline. The gypsy neighborhood reminds me of an Indian reservation in the southwest USA. The book is 'OK' but not enthralling.



2. This book offers a peek into a culture that interests many people but which is a mystery to most. Fernanda Eberstadt has dispelled some of the stubborn myths, both good and bad, that plague the Gypsies and in some instances replaced them with painful truths that make me wish for the mythical again.
   The history of Gypsy music, the process by which it is born, and the dicotomy in the attitudes of dismissal and respect the Gypsy people show it is, in itself, a great read. I can't wait to listen to some of the music mentioned. I'm familiar with the Gypsy Kings but I want to hear the truer, less polished version of this art form.
   Eberstadt shows the tragedy and comedy of the Gypsies and believe me they can soar high and fall fast. But I was left with the feeling that as long as they feel a sense of control over their lives the Gypsies will always be Gypsies.



3. I read this book because I lived in Spain for a few years as a young adult where I learned to despise gypsies. I grew up in New York and was never mugged or had my pocket picked, yet, in Spain, I was mugged and pick-pocketed -- by gypsies.
   
   I read Little Money Street hoping to learn something about the gypsy culture that would make me more sympathetic to them, but that didn't happen: Ms. Eberstadt summed it up when she wrote that the gypsies of Little Money Street pride themselves on being illiterate and uneducated, unable to get their kids to school in spite of the government bending over backwards to accommodate them, yet, somehow they are able to avail themselves of every government handout, which requires that they fill out mountains of complicated paperwork. Not a culture worthy of admiration.
   
   I give the book two stars because it was well-written and interesting, but I won't be rushing off to ingratiate myself upon any gypsy family anytime soon.



4. Gypsy culture is a misunderstood, fascinating ,sad and rich culture that is explored with keen insight by author Fernanda Eberstadt;she presents all facets, warts and all. The pretext for writing this book was the exploration of the music of the Perpignan band Tekameli Religious Gypsy Songs who reside in southern France, specifically in the Gypsy homeland of St. Jacques which is a section of Perpignan, home of the largest Gypsy population in Western Europe. She uprooted her family for her project and the result is an investigative bit of journalism that is part history, part social commentary and all appreciation for a culture that is a paradox. Eberstadt's writing style is entertaining and keeps the account of her life among the Gypsies completely enthralling. Her descriptions of daily life and the characters involved brings everything to life. Her year and a half exploration is funneled into snippets of time that stretch the duration, revealing glimpses into a secret society that lives on the fringes of society, complete with outcasts comes all the epidemics associated with poverty; drugs, alcoholism and AIDS are just some of the afflictions affecting these outsiders. There is no romantic vision drawn by the author but rather a vivid portrayl as close to real life as you can get without being there I suppose. She befriends the lead singer of Tekameli, Moise and his wife Diane and a cast of characters that all seem to interrelated in her quest for learning more about Gypsies. Along the way she makes friends with various family members, learns about their childrens prearranged marriages and lots of other familial practices. Children are not children in the western sense as they grow up very quickly, even marrying while still teenagers. The sense of the world is shrouded in generations old traditions that value family more than money. Ambition is almost a foreign word and practically nonexistent. Men are chauvinistic and women accept their role for the most part; married men have numerous women while young women must go through a ritual before marriage to prove her virginity that would make medieval times seem modern. Some of the things revealed are almost beyond twenty first century comprehension. Nonetheless the author has a way with words that captures the imagination; it is a vivid,colorful, visceral world the Gipsies inhabit in Perpignan. An example would be her description of attending a cockfight that is superb(I've seen a few myself)and when asked if she enjoyed it she "begins sifting through layers of interest, boredom,, exquisite discomfort, squemishness and self-disgust" which is a perfect description of feelings that matches her perceptible description of the action she saw. It is this type of language(I'll spare you the description of the cockfight)that is used throughout the book that brings the culture to life. Besides thoroughly enjoying the book I really had a good time listening to Ida Y Vuelta. Their spiritual music is uplifting in it's praise to the Lord but much like the Gypsies themselves, hard to understand how such beautiful music can come from such upheaval. The diversity of the Gypies is another point examined in this entertaining book that is an easy read that can be read quickly, especially if you like the subject. Recommened for anyone wanting to know more about Gypsy culture and the beautiful music they produce.



5. Reviewed by Diana Bocco
   
   NYC socialist Fernanda Eberstadt moved to Perpignan, France with her family in 1998. She arrived without many expectations besides a quiet countryside life and the chance to work on her new book (she was already an acclaimed novelist at the time). What she found there was a rich cultural life that changed everything she ever thought true about Gypsy life and culture. A fan of Gypsy music, Eberstadt soon found herself tracking the roots of Gypsy band Tekameli, whose members still lived and worked in the area. The internationally acclaimed band had maintained a local focus, surrounding themselves with only their own culture and thus pushing popularity, fame and richness away.
   
   I've always been fascinated by Gypsy culture, and I truly hoped the book would shed some light on the mystery of a culture that has evaded classification and stayed outside mainstream society for centuries. While Eberstadt does delve into the lives of the Gypsies she meets, her observations are often too superficial to explain anything. We soon learn that gypsies don't send their children to school, don't allow girls to mix with boys (not even to talk), consider working a "disease of modern society" and are proud to live on welfare their whole lives.
   
   What we never learn is how the author (or even the Gypsies themselves) feels about this. Because this is a memoir, I was expecting strong emotions throughout it, but Eberstadt seems to turn a blind eye to the abuse, the alcoholism and the teen marriages that occur all around her. She lacks the passion to react to what happens, and at some point in the narrative even drifts away from everybody without giving us any good reason for it.
   
   I wasn't so much interested in the pursuing of Tekameli members as I was in learning more about Gypsyes in general (which the title of the book suggests the story is about), but somehow didn't get much of that from the book.
   
   Little Money Street is still a great read, and I would have given it three stars except for one major problem: the book is riddled with spelling mistakes, dropped words and incomplete sentences. This may be a problem of the paperback edition (I haven't seen this mentioned on reviews of the hardback), but it's so severe that it quickly becomes a problem, interfering with the understanding of the text. If you can get past that (it's not as easy as it sounds), the book can be a quick fun weekend read.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: A book with a great story that is affected by lack of proofreading/editing.

2 comments about Monet's House: An Impressionist Interior.

1. The impressionist master,Monet's home represents a palette of vibrant color harmonies, and light fused into a radiant home of personal warmth and beauty. A perfect setting for the lush gardens flourishing outside. A full view of the rooms, that made Monet's house truly an artists abode with its elegant, yet simple furnishings.



2. I ordered the copy of Monets house and inadvertently entered the wrong address. The shipper kept me updated and sent me the book as soon as the post office returned it to them. I was very impressed with the service of the bookseller.

3 comments about Mitchell Beazley Classic Wine Library: Burgundy (Classic Wine Library).

1. Mr. Hanson's coverage of the producers is both shallow and too biased on his accidental trade relations. His appellations survey is as adequate as almost every other writer's. But his in-depth general chapter (which IMHO could and should be published as a 300 pages book of its own) is without parallel! Simply a must for any Burgundy lover and for anyone seriously interested in this intricate wine region.
   



2. I found the information, the review, the opinion of this book is not that useful, because the information content is out of date. An updated version will be helpful.



3. As a former Burgundy buyer/expert for a huge retailer, I found this to be the most complete book on Burgundy to date. The information is well laid out and decently up to date (2004 edition). The producer bios are all very in depth.
   
   Not for beginners by any means, but a must read for anyone developing advanced wine education.
   
   Pros: well written, great information, superb bios
   Cons: paperback (at least mine is), lacks good maps (but the World Atlas of Wine helps so have it handy)

5 comments about Pardon My French (S.A.S.S.).

1. Nicole's (the main character)parents really want her to go to Paris but, Nicole really does not want to. Nicole cannot speak or read French at all and she is very happy with how her life is. She wants to spend the rest of her life with her boyfriend Nate. Nicole gets sent to Paris but, is staying with an American family. Nicole meets some friends at school and a boy named Luc. When Nicole gets to Paris, she is not very happy at all. She wants to be home with Nate and her friends. As Nicole is in Paris, she starts to think more about things and ask more questions. She begins to realize new things about her life back home. At the end of the book, she is very happy that her parents sent her there.
   This book is really good! I read it in 1 day because I couldn't stop reading it!



2. I really enjoyed this enstallment in the S.A.S.S. series.
   Nicole is aboslutely against going to France to study abroad. She has friends, a great boyfriend, and American stuff to do. And to top it all off, the family she stays with is a little on the crazy side. And their 'babysitter', Luc, is annoyingly adorable. Nicole just wants to be back at home. But when she finally relaxes a little and learns to enjoy herself while studying in France, Nicole finds that her stay was a life-changing experience.
   
   I didn't flip the pages furiously or read this one in a day, but it was a cute little book that I enjoyed reading. A good read if you too wish to study abroad and find love along the way. :)



3. If you are the type of person who loves to travel, this book is for you. Although this novel can be taken to merely discuss Nicole's journey to France, her emotional journey is also an important one, and rightfully shows the struggles of today's exchange students - along with the romance they meet along the way! In France, she is forced to experience new, unknown French ways instead of being a sheltered teenager. For example, she must learn to navigate around the French metro.
   On a romantic level, this novel was a bit cliche for me. She falls in love with a French guy - why does this always happen in every exchange novel/movie?!?! The romance did add a little fun to the book, however, so I would recommend this book as a great read, especially if you like to be exposed to different cultures. There are also other books in the S.A.S.S. series, so after you read this one, go for them!!



4. I bought this to read on a school trip and believe me, my friends wanted updates on everything that happened in this story. Give it a try!



5. While many teenagers would do anything to leave their small hometowns, and get away from their parents for a semester, seventeen-year-old Nicole Larson is stricken with feeling the complete opposite. Instead of going to Paris for the semester, she would do absolutely anything to stay within the confines of Peabody Corner, Maryland, ringing in the first day of senior year with her three best friends Zara, Patrice, and Annie; and planning what she'll wear to Homecoming with her boyfriend of two years, Nate. But, alas, Nicole's parents are put-off by her constant discussion of how things will be once she and Nate get married, and can't help but feel that she's selling herself short by deciding to follow Nate to whatever college he decides to attend. Not only that, they're sick of seeing their daughter follow the lead of her friends, and want to see her break free from their control, and find her inner self. So, they force her to enroll in the S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) Study Abroad Program, which is how she finds herself smack dab in the middle of Paris, where she can't speak the language, and is forced to reside with an American family named the Smith's. The Smith's are perfectly nice people, of course, but their four children...well, their constant screaming leaves much to be desired. Nicole can't stand Paris almost instantly. The food looks creepy - there's no way she'll ever eat a snail - and the cars move way too fast. And the metro is more confusing than anything she's ever encountered in her life. But, as Nicole begins attending Parisian school, and learning more about the culture and the atmosphere of Paris, along with her new friend, a Swedish girl named Annike, Nicole's Parisian perspective begins to change. Suddenly, she isn't so creeped out by all things France, and begins to embrace the culture, as if it were her own. And, with a few sightseeing tours from the Smith's manny (male nanny), Luc, Nicole finds herself actually enjoying the Parisian life. However, when she learns that Nate isn't missing her as much as she expected, Nicole begins contemplating whether cutting her trip to Paris short, and returning to the States would be a better idea than breathing in more of the sights with her newfound friends.
   
   In recent months, I have fallen in love with the idea of sitting in outdoor cafes in Paris, sipping cafe au lait, and munching on croissants, and have even begun embracing the works of various artists who display these types of scenes in their paintings. However, I realized that I knew very little about Paris, aside from the Eiffel Tower, and various other landmarks. So I was ecstatic to stumble upon an S.A.S.S. novel that took place in the city of lights. Cathy Hapka does a wonderful job of describing the nervousness that one feels when stepping out of their comfort zone, and being forced to take on an entire new culture - including language, to food, and even transportation! Hapka's character development for Nicole is wonderful. The way she brings Nicole more and more out of her shell throughout PARDON MY FRENCH, giving her the chance to become more confident with herself, and make her own decisions is truly uplifting; while her ability to really make Nicole realize the error of her ways back home is interesting to delve into. While Nicole is a fabulous character, it is her Swedish friend, Annike, who really claims the spotlight in my eyes. While Annike is not an extremely large character in PARDON MY FRENCH, her presence really puts all eyes on her. Her positive outlook on everything surrounding her - from the Nutella and banana crepes she savors, to the Parisian museums - really makes the reader feel more positive about their own surroundings. She is so jovial, and kind, and just really sparkles as a character from the moment she's introduced. In fact, I hope that, someday, Annike is the star of her own spin-off S.A.S.S. novel, because I'd love to learn more about her. Grab a crepe, and explore the city of light alongside Nicole!
   
   Erika Sorocco
   Freelance Reviewer

1 comments about MAJOR AND MRS HOLT'S CONCISE GUIDE WESTERN FRONT SOUTH (Major & Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guides).

1. As usual, the Holt's guidebooks are the gold standard for battlefield travel. This is a more concise guide the the area of the Western front - south, generally covering the Somme down to Verdun/St. Mihael area. Outside of the Somme, this is the lesser travelled area of the battlefields. The book is written from a British perspective, but covers the actions of the French and Americans in detail as well. With not quite as much detail as their earlier books, this still is packed with information. Also, being new, it is more current than "Before Endavours Fade", the classic guide to the area. There is no separate map with this book but detailed maps are shown before each section. In my opinion, the maps are generally the weakest parts of their guides. A good Michelin map is essential for touring. The book is organized around a tour covering a specific battle, which makes it easy if you have particular interest to locate everything worth seeing for that area and avoid information on battles of no interest. I will be taking this book on my April trip through the area. Highly recommended!