1 comments about Remembrance of Things Paris: Sixty Years of Writing from Gourmet (Modern Library).

1. What a great opportunity to learn more about the Paris I love, and French food which I do not prepare at home. I wait for my trips. I am not intimidated with the snooty waiters, as I did my "homework." I'm prepared to ask questions about loaves and wine and anything else. The set-up of the chapters was easy reading, too. I trusted the writers. I discovered more secrets in Paris via their investigations and risky ventures. I didn't have to suffer the frustrations of getting lost on the metro nor the pains of tusseling with those Parisian cabbies. I especially enjoyed the trips to the new and modern Paris as described by Paul Goldberger. Do you want to loaf with a loaf, drink a bottle away from the bottlenecks? Read this book. Also, I will read other books in the Modern Library Food series based on my enjoyment of Ruth Reichl choices.

No comments about Art for Travellers France: The Essential Guide to Viewing Art in Paris and its Surrounds.

5 comments about The Black Room at Longwood: Napoleon's Exile on Saint Helena.

1. I read this book on a flight to France, and was mesmerized by the author's lapidary prose and his ability to bring to the reader a keen sense of loneliness and desolation. According to the author, Napoleon spent a good deal of his last six years trying to figure out what went wrong at Waterloo...the sort of torment worthy of Greek mythology. Feeling broken and forgotten, the former emperor, to quote General McArthur, "faded away", dying as much of depression as of physiological causes.

   A few days after finishing the book, I visited Napoleon's tomb at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris. It's very grand, and I'm sure he would have loved it. Enshrined, perhaps even resurrected, in this manner, Napoleon has the last laugh.




2. I went searching for a book about Napoleon for a friend. This is that book. If you want to know anything about Napoleon's last years, this isn't the book to read. I found this book dull to the extreme. It reads more like "what I did on my summer vacation.' I kept waiting to get into the informative part of the book but it never came. Kauffmann talks of paintings that aren't shown, quotes that came from other works as he wanders around Longwood.What the English women have to do with this book is a mystery. A complete waste of time and paper. Read something else if you want to know about Napoleon.



3. This is a strange mixture and I have to admit to very much disliking it when I first picked it up. It is a translated version of what was originally a French work and the English to me seemed a bit florid and dramatic. I am not sure if that is the translation or if the French naturally write in that style. I would however recommend people who are interested in Napoleon to persevere - it is a strange sort of book but worth the read.

   I say this for two other reasons - firstly because Kauffmann has read just about every primary source about Napoleon's exile on St Helens - a tiny island pretty much in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and secondly because Kauffmann knows first hand about captivity.

   After reading this book a little = and not enjoying it I read the author biography - this man spent some years as a captive in Beirut in the 1980's. Returning to the book I started to realise that this is more than just a book about Napoleon, or about a travellogue to the island. This is a story about captivity and its psychological side. Kauffmann is very clearly the right man to write about it. The oppression of captivity overwhelms the writing sometimes. Kauffman clearly found the place oppressive - he keeps talking of the town itself squeezed between two mountains - it is one of his repetitive themes and I get the sense that if he didn't sail out there expecting to dislike the place, his dislike of it coloured his later writings about it.

   I think this book could just as easily be named 8 days on St Helens as the book is divided into chapters for each day. So his trip is dealt with chronologically - the information about Napoleon ducks and dives - often with seemingly little logic to it. However if you are looking to learn about Napoleon's last years they are touched on - more so Napoleon as a man is revealed. His impatience (he drove each day on the island in a carriage with two wives of his officers - but went at such high speed as to throw them around - a demonstration of power?) his arrogance.

   There are also interesting insights into the man prior to his captivity - for instance I never knew Napoleon couldn't speak perfect French - (he spoke it badly and confusingly at times - muddling his words and pronunciations). However I don't think Kauffman explains anything new to most scholars of Napoleon. He mentions that Napoleon considered going to America before settling for surrendering to the English - why did he change his mind?

   So you can read this book on many different levels - a story of St Helens, a mixed bag of Napoleonic history, or a story of captivity. All have different merits in this - but they are all mixed together. I don't know that I would recommend making a special trip to get it - but worth reading if you haven't much else to do.




4. The author has a seemingly great idea : cruise to out-of-the-way St. Helena and combine a historical hunt with a modern day travelogue of his journey.
   
   The premise works well at some points, but lags quite often. The most annoying trait of the book is the author's tendancy to wax poetic for literally PAGES describing paintings or other works of art to be found in Longwood. I don't really understand what Mr. Kauffmann's opinion of "The Last Phase" has to do with Napoleon's exile.
   
   I've finished reading the book and I'm still actually not quite sure what I just read. It was certainly unique and well-written, I'll give Kauffmann that much. But I don't believe that I learned anything about Napoleon's exile that I didn't already absorb from more thorough, historical works. I genuinely expected to hear some unique tales and speculation about Napoleon's last days... but alas, none were to be had. This was a fruitless read if you're looking for fun or irreverant facts about Napoleon's final days.
   
   Bottom line : Not worth your time and money unless you are completely obsessed with Bonaparte, or if you plan to visit St. Helena at some point.



5. It may be fair to call this book a meditation on how some places are perfectly fit to induce particular states of mind. As promised by the title, "The Black Room at Longwood" describes the prison by describing its effect on the prisoner.
   
   Kauffmann describes the sights and smells of St. Helen in such detail that its desolation is almost palpable. He makes many self-conscious efforts to find the relics and remembrances of its most famous prisoner. Kauffmann brings the place to life--but such a life--dreary and meaningless--and contrasts it with known preferences and dislikes of Napoleon so that every little pinprick can be felt.
   
   When I tried to picture as active a man as Napoleon Bonaparte in that place, I couldn't help but pity him (from my comfortable vantage point, in 2006). As described in the book, Napoleon's own mind was beginning to give way to the horror of that oppressed place by the time he died.

No comments about Spain: In Light and Shadow.

4 comments about Louvre: Portrait of a Museum (Abradale Books).

1. Whether you've been to the Louvre and want to protect and enhance your memories or you just want to see the most beautiful works of art ever collected this is the perfect book! It gives you history, background info and of course amazing pictures! You're next purchase will be plane tickets to Paris!!



2. A true masterpiece. A fresh look at one of the world's most extraordinary museums. I received this book as a gift, and I have truly enjoyed it.



3. This is a great book. It covers all the art departments of the Louvre and does it in a very concise manner. But it has a peculiar presentation format - too many sidebars and info boxes etc mixed-up with the main text, small pics breaking-up the main text too often, and many times it is not easy to match the sidebar to the pic intuitively.



4. I bought this book for my son before I visited the Louvre because he was majoring in art. A few years later, I went to Paris and visited the Louvre. It was great to look through the book after having been there! It's still his book, but it was so wonderful to have it around after experiencing the incredible galleries in person! If you're going to the Louvre, my suggestion would be to really go through this book FIRST... then go to the Louvre! There's so much there it's overwhelming. I wish I'd planned out my visit there after going through the book.

1 comments about Colors of Paris.

1. I love this photography book. Most books about Paris are photographed in Black and White which adds to the romance of Paris. Paris is a city made for black and white photography; however this book not only showcases the beautifull colors of Paris itself, it beautifully captures the color of the cities people as well. I have visited Paris three times and this book makes me fill homesick for a home I have only dreamed of living in.

3 comments about Touring In Wine Country: Bordeaux (Touring in Wine Country).

1. It makes for easy reading and whets the appetite to go on a wine tasting trip. We were intending on a golfing trip but ended up making sure we visited some of the wine growers.



2. While I would not use this as my sole guide to the area, if you are truly interested in the WINES, it provides much needed maps and information. I, unfortunately, did not find this book unitl the last day of my visit to Bordeaux (in the very large bookstore in the center of the pedestrian zone downtown.) I will be seeking the other books in the series -- Burgundy, Loire, Germany...



3. We came across this book last year as we were planning an early spring visit to France. The maps are great and derived from Hugh Johnson's book "Wine Atlas", and are a good start to planning your driving. They are certainly not going to replace a good Michelin map but they provide good context and highlight the Grand CRu wineries in bold type.

   The recommendations are very good if you are not on a budget. The restaurants we visited from the book were top notch, but pricey at 15-20 Euro for prix fix lunch and upwards of 40 Euros for supper.

No comments about The Man Who Married A Mountain: A Journey Through the French Pyrenees.

No comments about Le Tour De La France Par Deux.

5 comments about iVideo French: Video Learning for the Igeneration (Ilearn Anywhere).

1. Here's what this disk is for. If you have a basic knowledge of French or a memory of having learned it back in the once-upon-a-time, this will refresh your memory in preparation for a trip. The disk is easy to install and use on both MacBook and iPod, although you'll have to provide your own case for safe-keeping.
   This would probably not be of much help if you were starting from no knowledge at all- at best it would tune your ear to the sound of the language, although the demanding and fussy pronuciation of French might overwhelm this simple disk. It certainly wouldn't work if you wanted any understanding of the structure of the language so that you could apply it in a real setting.



2. The ivideo language program is a great way to brush up on a language you studied many years ago or to learn enogh odf a new language to make yourself known in a foriegn country. Too often we Americans expect others to learn our language while we never try to learn theirs. This program can help change that impression. Try it!



3. Having studied French for five years in the British education system I decided to check this out to see if this would enhance my understanding of the language. While this program is fine for those preparing to travel to France it lacks the comprehensive quality that I was looking for. It, like its Italian cousin, seems largely geared to the casual tourist and if that is you I recommend it.



4. I returned, within the last month, from a trip to France. I took Spanish in high school and some Italian post-college, but beyond "parlez-vous anglais?" and some other basics, French isn't my language.
   
   In preparation for my trip, however, I downloaded many episodes of a free podcast called Coffee Break French. It was not a video cast unless you subrscribed with a fee for their service, but I find them vastly superior to this program even just doing the free (non-video) subscription.
   
   There is no introduction nor explanation in the beginning of the lessons, suddenly people are just repeating phrases (and not useful ones, in lesson one, I might add.) Another review mentioned some dubious pronounciations and I have to agree - based on what I heard in France and based on my other lessons.
   
   I am a fairly quick language learner - I feel that I did well enough in France - but this program wouldn't have helped me near as much as my free podcast did. It just doesn't have the oomph needed to keep people interested, and in fact isn't terribly helpful. Don't waste your money if you're a beginner. I'm not even sure it would be great as a review, as it's so completely boring.
   
   I guess I would look for just a little "more" - the free podcast I used had very personable people, who gave a lot more explanations about what you were saying and why, along with personal examples, differences for what a guy would say or what a girl would say, much more grammar explanations, etc. Watching two people repeat disjointed phrases just doesn't do it for me.



5. iVideo French is a DVD in a plastic case which does not have anywhere to store it once you have opened it up- the original case it comes in is too flimsy, so you had better be sure you have another hard case to store it in if you order this.
   
   When it first comes up on the screen (I ran this in a DVD player on a TV), this is what you will see:
   
   INTRODUCTION
   
   1. Greetings
   Basic words and phrases. A man and woman take turns pronouncing each word twice while the English is on top and the French spelling is on bottom of the screen. You have the option to repeat the section if you like on screen. This is followed by a simple conversation between the man and woman, with English on top of screen and French on the bottom.
   
   Special topic of formal and informal pronouns and verbs. Explains the simple differences.
   
   
   2. Introductions
   How to introduce yourself and meet others. Two women say the simple words = again same format as before which is carried through the DVD.
   A short conversation illustrates how two people meet each other.
   
   Special Topic
   Gender and Grammar - simple explanation of the gender of simple words.
   
   
   3. Do You Speak French
   A man and woman use simple words of description which might help to determine speed, and other words that would be helpful to communicate if you want to find someone who speaks English because you can not understand much French. Bathroom words are included here. Also phrases are included to help you understand if someone is trying to tell you that they don't speak English at all or just a little. Also words to help you tell someone to slow down a bit if they are talking too quickly.
   
   This section is quite long compared to the previous sections. A lot of information is covered here so it will be necessary to repeat this quite a few times.
   
   A simple conversation happens between the young man and woman to help find someone that speaks English and find out some basic important information. (Bathroom)
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   French verbs and verb forms are briefly covered here. This is VERY basic.
   
   
   4. Directions
   ASking for and understanding directions. Two women will lead you through simple words and phrases to help you find out how to get somewhere and how to find something. This section is pretty well laid out for most things that you might need to address if you are trying to get directions. The two women stage a conversation of someone who is lost and needs direction from the hotel to a park.
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   Finding conveniences. The terms are different for things that we know in the US. Directions are given using landmarks and numbers so be aware of this.
   
   
   
   5. Meeding, Wanting, Having
   Terms and phrases to tell someone what you need or have. There are some verbs shown in their base form and some phrases with the verbs already put into the proper form for the speaker. Family terms and more restroom phrases included here. This section is on the longer side as well. A man and woman have a conversation which you can fill in the blanks to tell someone what you need, want, or have. It allows you to learn the basics.
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   Plurals and how to make them. This is very simple and basic.
   
   REVIEW 1
   
   Phrases from all five lessons are taken and you have some time to think of them on your own, they will then tell you the answer and allow you to practice. The viewer is not urged to continue on in lessons until the first five chapters have been mastered.
   
   There are no people visible here, just the words show on the screen to allow you to think more clearly without distraction.
   
   6. Travel
   Airports, cars, passports, trains, and taxis. Words that you need to know to allow you to take transportation. The conversation that is in this section allows you to discuss your documentation that you need to present in order to travel.
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   Travel Time, how to talk about time.
   
   
   7. Hotel
   Vocabulary you need for lodging. Words and phrases to get reservations and such for lodging. Conversation shows how to check in for a reservation using your full name.
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   Type of lodging that you will find in France. Discussion of different manners of lodging- looking them up on the internet first- not much info here.
   
   
   
   8. Restaurants
   Some words relating to food and eating out. The conversation between two women is a dining out situation in a restaurant with a waitress.
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   Restaurant bills and tips.
   
   
   9. Shopping
   Essentials for finding souvenirs and words and phrases so you can do basic shopping. Conversation is a man and woman shopping for souvenirs to bring home to family.
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   Currency- how to understand Euro and credit cards. Very brief.
   
   10. Emergency & Pharmacy
   Basic emergency terms. Theft, medical emergency, and loss words are in this section. You can also find more words of this type on the audio appendix. Conversation is between man and woman but they are both acting out different conversations- one is a heart attack and the other is a stolen purse.
   
   SPECIAL TOPIC
   Medical and Law Enforcement. Differences between France and US approach.
   
   
   REVIEW 2
   
   Same process as the first review section.
   
   Credits
   Lesson Menu
   
   
   WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM LIKE?
   
   Nice music reminiscent of Mr Rogers Neighborhood- rolling piano music- comes on and you are given a brief introduction of what to expect when you use the program.
   
   There is an audio appendix and a self-print guide that you can print out via computer.
   
   
   COMMENTS
   
   You can not use the search button to speed forward through the lessons- you have to listen to each lesson completely through if you want to repeat it. That is rather frustrating. I would prefer to be able to forward through the lesson to get to words that I wanted to review.
   
   Also, another thing about this program is that the people that act out the words and conversations are kind of stiff and not as fun to watch with as the Spanish program is. It is a decent program for those who want to quickly learn French enough to survive in France for a trip.
   
   The other advantage is that this program can be used on an Ipod. Supposedly it can be used on MP3 too, but I have not been able to do it, so I am going to say it does not work. If I figure out how to do it, I will update this review, if possible.
   
   
   I wish that this program came with a case, but I think that it is a decent introductory program to learn VERY BASIC essentials of French.
   
   If you are looking for something more substantial, then I would look for something else like Rosetta Stone program or other more foundational French programs.
   
   There is very scanty information on things as far as understanding the language, and I think that it is primarily repetition and learning of basic things trusting that it is going to be correct enough to get you through a trip. If you want to learn how to translate words and such- this program will not help you.
   
   I have given it 4 stars. It is good for what it is, but I am not WOWed by it.
   
   I like the fact that you can use it on portable media so you can take it with you while you travel.