5 comments about Walks Through Napoleon & Josephine's Paris.

1. Delightful, informative, exciting. Great for a sophisticated traveler -- a perfect gift for any tourist planning a trip to Paris -- and also a stimulating, fun read. I loved it.



2. An excellent book with a different perspective. It is not only well written but beautifully printed and bound. A joy to read and to walk in the very steps of these two historic and romantic personalities. Take it along on your next trip to Paris.Floyd McRae, Napoleonic Alliance, International Napoleonic Society.



3. Diana Reid Haig has produced a delightful book that is at once fascinating and useful. She tells short anecdotal stories of Napoleon and Josephine and their times while showing us beautiful photographs of the places they would have known and then showing us how to find them. No one who is interested in Napoleon should ever visit Paris without consulting this book, and even those who will never set foot on the Champs-Élysées will enjoy thumbing through its pages and reading Haig's well-written little vignettes of one of history's most famous love stories.

   The book is organized into four "walks," which generally correspond to Napoleon's early career and meeting of Josephine, life as First Consul, the coronation, and the return of Napoleon's body in 1840. To these she adds a tour of Fontainebleau and Malmaison, two places where Napoleon and Josephine lived. Each walk comes with a map that clearly shows the major places she discusses as well as shops and other areas of interest. The maps are easy to follow and a dotted line traces her suggested route. A map of Paris showing where in the greater scheme of things these maps fit would have been useful, but any visit to Paris will be enhanced by this book.

   One of Haig's most endearing qualities as a writer is her ability to provide interesting and useful information in a way that both informs and entertains. Throughout her book we hear of some of the standard discussions of Napoleon and Josephine, such as her affair and their near breakup after his Egyptian campaign. But we also are given brief glimpses into their daily lives and their relationship with the buildings that we can see on her tours. Haig also includes interesting "side boxes" on topics the basics of which are common knowledge but the unknown details of which can be quite interesting. For example, we all know of Napoleon's famous hat, but from Haig we learn that he ordered four a year as First Consul and later had at least fifty ordered from his hatter, Poupard, who charged exorbitant rates. Indeed, Haig presents enough interesting history that a scholarly reader is left wishing she had provided references.

   This wonderful little book is like none other that I have seen. It is beautifully produced and well written. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in seeing and understanding Napoleon and Josephine's Paris.

   J. David Markham, Author
   Napoleon's Road to Glory: Triumphs, Defeats and Immortality
   Imperial Glory: The Bulletins of Napoleon's Grande Armée




4. Diana Reid Haig's beautiful, well researched book is invaluable on two levels; as a work of art and as a practical walking guide. Walks Through Napoleon and Josephine's Paris will interest Francophiles as well as those who love history and art. This extremely readable history of Napoleon and Josephine chronicles the rise and fall of the doomed couple--a history which is also inexorably linked with the history of France and the French Revolution.

   A blend of words and art, Haig's book is wonderful to page through, but is also a great read. I recommend this work to both armchair travelers and frequent visitors to Paris. This book is a brilliant new way to see and enjoy Paris.




5. I had the delightful privilege of hearing Mme. Haig read from her book at the French Institute in New York which in turn, plunged me into an exuberant frenzy to learn as much as I could about Napoleon and even more so - Josephine. Mme. Haig's writing comes from a genuine passion about her subjects and is wonderfully researched, with fascinating detail. Should you be travelling to Paris with a teenager, this book could ignite a passion in them as well about history before Britney Spears' first marriage.

5 comments about A Writer's Paris.

1. After reading Eric's wonderful book Sleep Thinking & having my writing improve a millionfold because of it, I joined Eric's Yahoo!Group newsletter. He's talked about this book. It didn't do a "thing" for me because I really hate Paris. But his other books have helped sooo much, I keep reading his newsletter.
   
   His latest one said:
   
   >>When an editor buys a book from you that in her mind is in the inspirational" category, it can be decidedly hard for you to slip material into the book that is controversial and meaty.
   
   Although A Writer's Paris is an "inspirational book," in the sense that it is meant to inspire you to go to Paris and write, I also wanted to talk about class and privilege, religious opposition to scientific thought, and other "non-inspirational" matters. I tucked in several such essays and wondered how many would make the final cut.
   
   Some of these meaty essays made it into the book and some did not. ...
   
   I am pleased that pieces like Privilege and the Place Vendome, Gay Mayors, and Darwin's Wife made it into the finished product.<<
   
   To me, those "meaty essays" sound like they are talking about what Fiction is really all about.
   
   I just wish all of them had been included.
   
   Maybe Eric will write a "meaty essays" book someday.



2. A Writer's Paris proves inspirational, whether or not you're planning to go to Paris or if you've already visited the city where many artists go to create. Not only does Maisel describe life as a writer on a Paris sojourn, but also the activities for a writer to do for inspiration.
   
   Substitute the places in Paris for the ones in your hometown or country you plan to visit to write. While the book has recommendations for places to stay, along with a planning checklist, information on where to go, and other resources, its content provides plenty of inspiration and ideas that work anywhere.
   
   While the book's purpose is to encourage writers to take a Sabbatical in Paris, it also easily inspires and motivates readers to create more and writer better. Maisel happens to use Paris as the central location for the book's theme taking time-out for deep exploration for writing. Paris or no Paris -- writers can glean many things from this original book.
   
   Topics include writing books in three weeks, taking the bad with the good, practicing the art of strolling, dealing with and appreciating the absurd, making the cafe a home, overcoming barriers, engaging your senses, and more. The writing is superb and flows lyrically with the illustrations adding the feeling of going on a journey while reading the book.



3. In a rare combination of travelogue and writer's guide, Maisel speaks directly to every writer who values calm surroundings as well as a calm state of mind in order to write. Part tour guide, and part writing coach, Maisel takes the reader on the journey he promises in the subtitle.



4. I must admit to purchasing this because Danny Gregory did some of the illustrations. That said, as I read I became intrigued with what I could learn about my own compulsion, and sometimes strong commitment, to painting. Although the star of this show seems to be Paris, the lessons about turning away from other preoccupations and just getting to it, no matter where you are, can be applied to any location. Instilling discipline in a routine, albeit one that is wrapped in time and self-permission, is a strong central message. I liked the practicality of many suggestions and the devil-may-care attitude of others.



5. To follow in the footsteps of Simone de Beauvoir and F. Scott Fitzgerald.... in Paris ... a how-to guide for those bent on a Gaullist literary retreat into the city that spawned many literary masterpieces. Don't forget the cigarettes, the lattes, and of course ... your French Berlitz language book.

5 comments about Wandering Paris: A Guide to Discovering Paris Your Way.

1. I wrote Wandering Paris because it's the way I like to travel. My experience of sharing the book has been very rewarding. Mostly people say "It makes me want to go to Paris". With time and distance of it's creation, it does the same thing to me. Bon Voyage!



2. Wandering Paris is a travel guide and much more. It is a whimsical look at traveling in Paris. In addition to the solid information it provides, it also offers wonderful insights into the world that is Paris. And, the author provides you with a delightful, artful look at the Paris scene. Her illustrations add whimsy and color to the guide. This is not a heavy tome that drones on about the city of Paris but a light and refreshing approach to Paris from someone who wants to share her love of the city with you. A definite addition to any travel library.



3. This book was a pleasant surprise, with the artwork alone being worth the purchase! My husband and I are planning a trip to PARIS in August, and are learning all we can that will make it enjoyable. I thought in the stack of books I already had on Paris that I had a map of the neighborhoods called "arrondissements" but couldn't find ANY until I opened Jill's "Wandering Paris" which had just arrived. I found a very colorful map of the arrondissements right in front! It got better from there. I want to swim while in Paris although my husband, who was there for a week in 2000, said there aren't any places to swim. Well, Jill points out that "Public swimming pools are abundant in Paris, and some are exceptional." She writes that you can even "Go to the beach along the Seine." ... "you'll find sand, palm trees, umbrellas, rollerblading, bikes and Pétanque plus a swimming pool..." In his defense, he was there in DECEMBER! ha! We're also learning FRENCH, and Jill provides an abundance of vocabulary words WITH a pronunciation guide for each. For the night life, we had no idea that Friday is "Friday Night Skate", "rollerblading by night on escorted journeys through the city". We can't take all of our books with us on this trip, but Jill Butler's "Wandering Paris" is going with us for sure! [We're going to buy her other book as well! Rendez-vous with France: A Point and Pronounce Guide to Traveling, Shopping, and Eating



4. This precious little book is picturesque and pleasant. The watercolors are lovely and the detail is delightful! An entertaining literary gem.



5. I've been to Paris many times and even lead tours there. When I saw this book, I thought it would be a fun read but wouldn't tell me anything I already knew. I was pleased to discover that there is still a lot I don't know (thank heavens!). Jill's book inspired me and gave me some new nooks to explore next time I am in Paris. The illustrations are delightful and inspiring. I gave this book to a friend of mine whom I am taking to Paris for her first visit. I told her to flag things she wants to do and see. She's an artist and this seemed like the perfect guidebook to introduce someone to Paris's many delights.

5 comments about Paris Out of Hand: A Wayward Guide.

1. This book is a georgous book, from its looks (plush cover, ribbon bookmark, illustrations) to its content. It describes a slew of fictional places (and a few non-fictional) creating a surrealistic, dreamlike landscape. As nice as it is, this isn't a sit down and read sort of book, more of a coffee table type, wonderful to flip through and see what you find.



2. This imaginary guide to Paris is full of surreal imagination that will just make you smile. Helpfully divided up into sections on hotels, restaurants, the nightlife, sights, etc., you'll read about places and services you've never dreamed of! What a shame, they don't really exist! Peppered thoughout the text are helpful French expressions translated into English such as "Do you have a ladder so I can reach your airmail clerk suspended from the ceiling?" You can read some guest comments for the hotels which of course, are also bizarre, and learn about special services such as a kidnapping service or a food tasting service (so you don't get poisoned). The book has some quotes from real people too and the lavish artwork gives it an other worldly feel. It will transport you immediately to a wonderful alternative reality Paris.



3. Lovely useless french phrases that just beg you to use them.
   "there is a frog in my bidet". How great is that.
   
   Superb imagination. On both the behalf of the writer and the illustrator.



4. This book did not come close to the Griffin and Sabine series despite its recommendation for people who like Bantok's work. While parts are funny, other parts are too hard to follow or just too outrageous to get what the author is trying to convey.



5. As an off-beat book that sems to be about Paris this was amusing but of limited value. The book is too cheeky and cute to serve as a useful guidebook. I felt lost on some entries - as if it was necessary to already be an insider to get the references made on some places.
   
   If I already knew Paris well, I might have appreciated this book. Don't know. But it did not seem to be very useful as a travelogue that I'd carry with me next time I trek over to the City of Light.
   
   A bit too wayward, and not enough of a guide. Beautifully typeset, I might add, which means a lot to me, But not sufficient for me to keep it and pop it in the laptop's carrying case.

4 comments about The Secret Paris of the '30s.

1. Don't let the title put you off, there is very little in this book that would shock a modern audience. Times certainly ain't what they used to be. Brassai's photos and writings of a time now long gone however will slowly infuse in you a strange and somewhat uncomfortable nostalgia for a time long before you were born and places you wouldn't visit had you been born. Removed so far in time, it's all very safe - perhaps.



2. The photographs and stories in this book are truly remarkable. The underground world Brassai allows the reader to navigate is one that will leave a mark on your heart and tear at your soul. From lonely streetwalkers to the many faces of Parisian nightclubs, this amazing photographic journey gives a modern audience a true glimpse of what life was like in the 30s.



3. Divided into 19 sections, each including a short essay on one subject (ex.: The Street Fair) with accompanying illustrations. Photographs include full-page printed to the edge of the paper (unfortunately also to the spine of the book), full-page with border, half and quarter page. Copyrights on most of the the photographs, listed in an appendix, range from 1931-33, a few are 1934.

   Most of the 150 photographs are very good duotone reproductions, a few are less than great. My copy is a softcover, publ. by Thames & Hudson, 2001, labeled Printed in Italy on the back cover.

   The subjects range from public toilets and their various uses, through petty underworld figures, gay nightclubs, prostitutes and brothels, bums, to backstage at the Folie-Bergere and an upper-class opium den. One interesting section deals with the annual "Balls" (read orgies) organized by the Schools of Medicine and the Arts on the Left Bank for their students. All get a sympathetic and nonjudgemental treatment. Overall an fascinating, but fragmented glimpse of Paris night life in the early 30's.




4. This was the second time I'd enjoyed this groundbreaking book-length photo essay by one of the pioneer French photojournalists. I'd first seen many of the very famous historic pictures when I was a student working on my BFA in the mid-1960's. I came across the book itself in the early 1970's but I don't think I read the text at the time because I seem to recall it was in French.
   Having just finished actually reading this 1976 English translation I purchased, I'm even more impressed than I was long ago when I examined an earlier foreign version. Not only have the pictures themselves remained some of the best photographs of the era, but also they are still fresh and as relevant as they were at the time. The author-photographer liked to stroll through the dark alleys and byways of Paris with the likes of Man Ray, KiKi and Henry Miller among others. What impressed me most about this book at this time in my own life is that the photographer was either very, very brave or had a "death wish." Taking the pictures in this book was a very dangerous undertaking. The major players in the pictures included drug dealers, thugs, prostitutes and other unsavory characters of the shadowy Paris underbelly. Brassai was lucky not to have been robbed of more than his money and film holders during his continuing documentation of the Paris underworld. Simply being out in some of the dangerous streets where he set up his camera and tripod was taking his life in his hands. Obviously, photographing known criminals in their element made him and his valuable camera equipment a really tempting target for a mugging. Since the local criminals also hated "stool pigeons" or police informers, he was a convenient target of their fear of betrayal. Having a crime magazine editor add a caption to one of his gangster portraits that said "This murderer who..." brought that murderer crashing through Brassai's bedroom door in the middle of the night mad as Hell and brandishing his switchblade and yelling "So I'm a murder, am I...Then I'm going to kill you!" Fortunately, he settled for just robbing him of all his money.
   This was the 1930's and Brassai was taking a bulky camera, tripod and the necessary flash equipment into Opium Dens for the wealthy and famous, illegal gambling dens, brothels, houses of illusion, the hidden club world of gay men and women, and dangerous bars where the crooks, pimps and thugs relaxed and conducted business or took revenge on (rubbed out) their competitors. There was no way he could hide the fact he was taking pictures--especially when his flash lit up the entire scene. He was a brave photographer who risked his life to show the insides of the officially unacknowledged flesh-peddling world of Paris life.
   Even though the pictures in the book are all from the 1930's and sometimes have a dated and quaint look to them, something else becomes obvious to every viewer and reader of the pictures. It's obvious that nothing much has really changed since those legendary times in Paris. Even Brassai points out that the things he photographed had been going on in the same areas of Paris for centuries. They still do as any tourist to Paris can confirm. The more things change, the more things stay the same. Brassai's world still exists relatively unchanged and not just in Paris, but in almost every major city in the world. That fact makes this a timeless book and that's really something worth knowing.

5 comments about C'est La Vie: An American Woman Begins a New Life in Paris and--Voila!--Becomes Almost French.

1. For readers who are looking for a book that gives the nuts and bolts of moving to Paris served up with humor and pathos, this is it! Already a well-known writer and a person with international connections, she is not
   your average housewife moving overseas since her network of friends keeps her with constant invitations to various functions, thus her move was made
   far easier because of that. But she faces enough of the daily chores of
   living that the narrative is kept plausible enough for the average person to relate to the hardships involved in moving overseas, even to a city like Paris. Very enlightening about everyday life in the city.



2. I loved this book. I have been to Paris a few times and could see Suzy's view of that magical city. I found her story very accurate on how hard it is to move to a european city from the US. I also felt for her and her loss and the need to start over. Overall, this was a great, not complex read for a summer afternoon!



3. As a twenty-something, this book was a little 'old' for me. It is essentially the story of a 50-something widow who escapes her sorrows and old life in the US to start again in the city she loves - Paris. I did enjoy her descriptions of the city and it's people, but after a while, all the name-dropping and elitist activities she claims to have done gets to you ("coffee at the Ritz with Les Girls", etc). She comes across as a snob (even as she tries to say that about others around her) and experiences Paris as a cashed up socialite, even claimed through out the book about how much on a budget she is (then writes about spending thousands of dollars on flea market furniture, food, limosines, fancy restaurants, flights back and forth between the US, etc and how she isn't on the 'Forbes500 list of Richest Women' anymore?!?)
   
   She also repeats herself a few times (i.e. name someone with an small description, then does it all over again a few chapters later) which breaks up the smooth flow of the book and in my mind I could only think "bad editing". A small gripe, but still one worthy of mention.
   
   All in all, it is a story about a woman coming to terms with the death of her husband and finding a new life for herself in Paris. The description on the back cover of the book understates her husbands death as she does spend a lot of time talking about her late husband (almost every chapter right until the end) and her obsession to establish herself in French society. Don't get me wrong - This is an entertaining book for over 40's, who have a similar lifestyle (i.e. money and social standing), otherwise to everyone else, it comes across as a tad boastful and shallow by the end. I'm sure she is a lovely lady (and you do tend to sympathise during her 'dark' moments, but by the end you become a bit resentful towards her constant talk of money).
   
   As for the 'recipe tips to the perfect clafoutis' - she spends more time Americanising her food and baking from instant mixes than actually baking...and she doesn't exactly write about the perfect baking tips - it's more like how she went wrong with a packet mix and how it luckily turned out fine at the end.
   
   For people who want a more realistic (in the sense of someone living in Paris without a wad of cash funded by her husband's life insurance money) narrative about Paris life, I would probably recommend 'Almost French' by Sarah Turnbull or even 'La Vie Parisienne' by Janelle McCulloch.



4. I found this book very difficult to read. It was poorly written and very disjointed. I felt that the author would introduce topics and then never come back to the topics, ie fax machine, finances, awful relationship with her concierge. The book never flowed properly, not a great travel book or memoir.



5. 
   I bought this book, I am ashamed to say. I am also reluctant to review it as I do not really want my name associated with it. However, just to keep someone else from the painful experience of reading the book, I will write a few words.
   
   I will never be dining with Suzy Gershman, shopping with her, or visiting her in Paris. We would not run in the same social circles. Both of us are (or would be) glad that our paths will never cross. No matter where we each live, we would never understand each other, nor would we share any common interests.
   
   This is the most shallow and self-satisfied non-fiction (?) book I have ever read.
   
   Save yourself the cost of even a used copy of this book. Instead, get a few copies of "People." then imagine spending the rest of your life hanging out in stores and buying things you hope to use to impress your "friends." You will not need to read the book.
   
   The relationships with people and things described in this book make shallow seem deep. I have not read anything like this before. I kept wishing that I could hit the author in the head and I am NOT a violent person. I plan to avoid anything that is even remotely similar to this book in the future and carefully shunning all the recommendations Amazon has for books I would theoretically like if I would have liked it.
   
   "Almost French," ha! This book should be titled "Almost Human." I only wish that Amazon would allow me to give it a NEGATIVE star rating.

2 comments about The Little Black Book of Paris (Little Black Books) (Little Black Books).

1. Beautiful little book that gives you the basics. The recommendations are mid to high end so don't expect lonely planet suggestions. The book also has a complete set of maps of the city as well as the Metro map. It is also very small, like a moleskine notebook, so it can easily fit anywhere. It's an elegant gift for anyone going to Paris, whether it's the first time or return visit.



2. I found this book on a shelf in a Parisian rental apartment. What a great discovery!! Of all the general tourist guides to Paris that I've read over the yrs, this is the at the top--clear, great info and suggestions not found in other guides, very lightweight which makes carrying it easy, a convenient elastic to bookmark. I love its size and information.
   While I don't care if I look like wahat i ma--a tourist-fFor those who are somewhat afraid of looking too obviously like a tourist, this book is so small and discreet, youcould be perusing anything !
   Hopefully it will eventually be released in a 2008 or 2009 edition, although its suggestions are quite current (i.e. restaurants, tour sites, etc) and extrememly useful in the 2006 edition.
   
   Thank you, Vesna Neskow!

3 comments about The Rough Guide to Paris Map 2 (Rough Guide City Maps).

1. I used this map for my recent trip to Paris. I also includes Metro (=subway) map.



2. I bought this map because I thought it would give a wider view of Paris, as I'm taking a vacation there toward the end of the year and I am thinking that it will be necessary to stay in a hotel a bit out of the center of Paris in order get an affordable nightly rate. Unfortunately it cuts off right before it gets to the 20th in the east of Paris.



3. You cant go wrong with this one unless you are just looking for an overview. Metro stops clearly marked and excellent detail!!!

5 comments about Rick Steves' Paris 2007 (Rick Steves).

1. Rick Steves is an expert on European travel.
   I am a great fan of his PBS show, "Rick Steves in...".
   His information is as complete as one might want; he covers the basics plus some: how to go, where to stay, dine, explore, etc.
   There is also the in-depth information on the people, the customs, the "inner side" of Paris that gives one more than
   the "typical touristy" perspective.
   His book is well organized and easy to read...I'm still reading it and enjoying my "chairside travel" in preparation for the real thing.



2. My husband and I used this book on our recent eight-day trip to Paris. It was a very helpful guidebook, giving several insights into how to get around Paris--such as where to buy the Museum Pass most efficiently, to navigating the Metro, to saving some money, etc. I found it very easy to use, with a good index that led us immediately to the information we needed. I would definitely recommend reading the book before you leave in order to maximize its information. We appreciated his starred ratings of sights big and small, which were helpful in planning our time. We didn't find his restaraunt and cafe suggestions too helpful, as "cheap" to him was "pricey" to us. Particularly of note were the tours of some of the major sights. We had our iPods with us, and we were able to download the audio versions of the written chapters as we toured the sights. At Versailles, we rented the audioguide, but in the end we found the Rick Steves tour (in the book and downloaded from his Web site), to be more interesting and informative than the palace's audioguide. I feel that we got a thorough and wonderful "tour" of Paris with this book--coupled with a good map of Paris, it's really all you need to enjoy your trip.



3. I really have to compliment Rick Steves for making a tour guide book fun and informative at the same time. There were moments when I was reading a description of something and started laughing out loud from humorous description he would give. Besides being fun, there is plenty of information in here...I would recommend trying to get the 2008 version after 10/07 because the Euro has jumped up in value (or did the dollar drop?) and some prices went up also. But I would certainly recommend this book to friends and family because you will be enthused to get informed.



4. The maps and insider tips are Great. I will take a current copy every time I go to Paris.



5. Rick Steves' Paris had great information and wonderful tips. It was very helpful to have organized vacation plans, but also had enough ideas and favorite destinations that it allowed us to pick and choose which would work with our schedules. I especially liked the walking tour guide. It made getting from place to place fun, informative, and a good use of time.

No comments about Blue Guide Paris, Eleventh Edition (Blue Guides).