5 comments about Around and About Paris, Volume 1: From the Dawn of Time to the Eiffel Tower (Arrondissements 1 - 7).

1. Around and About Paris, Volume 1, reads pretty much like a medium-quality textbook; it's dense (*tiny* print and very small amounts of white space), it's informative (*filled* with trivia and fascinating - as well as not-so-fascinating - facts), and it's obtuse in places. The book does provide lots of information and some very nice Paris walks, but you'll have to sieve through a lot of junk to get to the meat of it.

   The book's most serious problem, at least for me, is the writing. I suspect, though I don't know, that the author's English was a second language. The sentences are at times torturously constructed. Often, subjects and verbs are in places where a native English speaker probably wouldn't put them; sometimes one or the other is even missing - when you parse the sentence, you realize it's actually just a very long fragment, with lots of clauses that confuse the issue. Sometimes, too, it isn't clear what a modifier is supposed to be modifying, or which noun a pronoun refers to. In the worst cases, the meaning of a sentence cannot be divined at all because an error has been made at a crucial point. Some careful, detailed editing could've made this book a lot easier to read and use - and more informative, too.

   However, there is still a lot of information in Around and About, even if you do have to work to get at it. The maps aren't the clearest in the world, but they're good enough, especially since prominent landmarks are marked. And the walks themselves provide an interesting take on Paris; the idea of walking through history is a great one. Parents with older children could probably use this as a resource for some very educational traveling, though I would recommend that the adults do the reading and then condense and prune somewhat for the kids.

   All in all, despite the book's flaws, it's a nice supplementary resource for people visiting Paris - or those studying French history. You will, however, also want more conventional guidebooks or textbooks unless Paris and its history is already very familiar ground indeed.




2. After reading every travel guide I could get my hands on concerning Paris, France, finally I've found one that actually quenches my thirst and feeds my hunger! This is the Bible of Paris. The little details are so fascinating and exquisite, you can read this book over and over again. If I were stuck on a deserted island, as far from Paris as possible, I'd still want this to be one of the top five books I took with me. It would keep me going for a long, long time. Don't go to Paris without it. In fact, don't go to the doctor's office without it-- perfect to take everywhere.



3. How would you like to have a personal guide as your companion when visiting Paris? A guide that will not only give you a brief history of each and every "Arrondissement" from the first to the twentieth, but as the author states, "a journey into the depths of Paris" and "an invitation to scratch beneath its surface of dazzling vistas and imposing monuments and to probe into the souls and lives of the restless people." Author Thirza Vallois's three volumes entitled AROUND AND ABOUT PARIS accomplishes all of the above and more.

   Most other guidebooks pertaining to Paris are merely directories that list where to stay and eat with a little history and antidotes thrown in. Vallois's tomes do not contain any listings of hotels, restaurants, phone numbers or web sites. They are, however, similar to information contained in college textbooks and would probably be suggested readings if a course were to be given entitled "Paris 101." Not only are they invaluable tools for the traveller to Paris but also for those of us who are so called "arm chair" travellers and who never intend to leave home.

   Each chapter is devoted to a distinct Arrondissement describing their unique history and character. These introductions are followed by comprehensive descriptions of the walks you must pursue. After all Paris is made for walking!

   Very often when visiting Paris we are too much concerned with the usual tourist attractions such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and various other well known sites. Consequently, we tend to loose sight of the history and background information concerning the area where we may be lodging or the areas where we are taking our promenades. We are also ignorant of the many "nooks and crannies" that make Paris a city of romance, drama, triumph, tragedy, crime and passion.

   Vallois has lived in Paris for over thirty years. For eight of those years before writing these guides she "journeyed into the depths of Paris, walking its every street, reading in libraries whatever came my way" as she mentioned in an article appearing in Paris Kiosque No wonder the guides are so comprehensive and detailed.

   To appreciate Paris is to understand its history and culture. Thanks to authors such as Thirza Vallois we can explore Paris with a greater understanding and enlightenment.

   Please note that their are three books: Volume 1-concerns the 1st to 7th arrondissements: Volume 2- 8th to 12th, Volume3- 13th-20th

   Norm Goldman Editor Bookpleasures.com




4. If you like to roam around Paris on your own and get a feel for the history of the most beautiful and exciting city in the world, then this and its sister companions (Vols II and III) are for you. Thirza Vallois (for the sake of transparency,I have meet the author and have visited with her several times) has covered every street in the city and gives a fascinating view of the evolution of the city. The first volume is a must read, both the introductions and the tours are vibrant and illuminating. Don't miss the Hotel Carondelet.



5. As someone who has haunted Paris for decades, I can say that there is no more wonderful companion than Thirza Vallois. Her three volumes of Around and About Paris, covering every arrondissement with both erudition and joy, are almost as deep and rich and rewarding as the city itself. They are to be carried about for consulting on foot, and read in your armchair for pleasure and information you will not find in the run-of-the-mill "guide." These books are for explorers and dreamers, scholars and lovers. If you want to know Paris, you can not do better.

2 comments about Pauline Frommer's Paris (Pauline Frommer Guides).

1. I can highly recommend this book for all visitors to Paris. I travel frequently and recently went to Paris with a friend who has never been to France before. We both found the book to be very useful and full of helpful hints. I especially appreciate the way the restaurant section is organized and I also enjoyed the author's personal opinions about her favorite (and/or least favorite) places and activities.



2. I was lucky enough to go to Paris three times, each time carrying Pauline Frommer's Paris book with me everywhere. Twice I went for less than two days and the third time for five days. The layout of the book is great. She has it broken down by the arrondissements (or districts). In each arrondissement there are recommended places to stay and eat. She is not shy about her recommendations and you get the feeling she actually knows the owners and employees at each establishment. Paris is a huge city and with this book I felt that I had some little connections to the people when I went to the recommended establishments. I went on two of the walks recommended in the walkabout section and each walk I stopped at the recommended cafes and they were wonderfully Parisian, not cafes catering to American tourists but thankfully still spoke English. There is a chapter on Paris' 10 iconic sites but also easy itineraries for one, two, three or 4 + days in Paris, which was very helpful to me since my time was limited. The best recommendation for me was to stop by Quai St.Bernard on a summer evening to watch people dance along the Seine doing the tango, something I would have walked right past if it was not for the book. All of the advice given was worth the $16.99, I have some wonderful memories of Paris and can't wait to go back. I would highly recommend purchasing this book if you are going to Paris. I felt I was given advice from a friend to all of the great spots to see while visiting her city.

1 comments about Time Out Paris Eating and Drinking (Time Out Guides).

1. I'll be in Paris again this summer. The last time I was there I bought the Cheap Eats in Paris book which was pretty good, but this time I wanted something with more up to date information. This book looks great; I've been to Paris enough times to know that this book has good, current restaurant info

4 comments about True Pleasures: A Memoir of Women in Paris.

1. I loved this book. It is part biography, part philosophy, part social analysis. I found insight and inspiration in every chapter, and historical figures about whom I knew little or nothing came vividly to life. Holdforth goes to Paris to shake up her system and determine a direction for her life, and by studying the lives of many famous Parisian women (born there or elsewhere), she does just that. If you love Paris, want to read about some fascinating women, or think there is more to womanhood than work, marriage or children, you'll enjoy this book a lot. (She also makes an excellent case for aging gracefully in Paris, and if I ever win the Lotto, that's exactly what I plan to do!)



2. This book was a disappointment. I bought it because I wanted to read about all the interesting women it claims to be about: Nancy Mitford, Ninon, many others. But it is not about them. It is about the author. Once in awhile she thinks about one of these women, and gives you her thoughts. But she doesn't tell you much about the women. You are left still wanting to know the lives and loves of the famous women of Paris. This book is for people who really want to know what the author thinks about Paris, but I don't know her and I'm not interested in what she thinks, nor when she feels tired, when she wants to lie down, what she eats, when she travels on the Metro, what she says to her friends. I wanted to read about what the charming and fascinating women of Paris said and thought.`



3. I have a feeling the author and I would get along just fine! I too enjoy researching a historic figure (Catherine de Medici, Josephine, and Camille Claudel have all been recent obsessions) and then walking in her footsteps in Paris. Not only did this book reconnect me with some of my favorite femmes but it introduced me to more fascinating women and their neighborhoods. That thrill of discovery - when you look up at a particular balcony or past a small park that you may have passed countless times before - and suddenly realize its significance to the woman who once lived there - this is what the author captures perfectly. A wonderful gift for your fellow Francophiles and strong women!



4. I read this book when I needed inspiration - and I found it here. Not only does the author provide insight into the lives of fabulous and famous women, she provides insight into her own life and how experiences in Paris influenced and shaped her. The book provides the perfect balance between historical facts, personal insight and the joys of life in Paris today. It also encourages you to read more books on each of these topics - ie. it starts a journey which goes way beyond this one book.

1 comments about Paris, Shops & More.

1. I love this book. Can't believe you get so much for the great price. The shops are grouped into arrondissements and a map is drawn with the shops noted. There's vital information such as hours of operation, website address, & perfect description. The photos are superb. I didn't need to take photos of the stores myself as the book did it perfectly for me... and on matte paper! I can't stress how great the photos are in this book. All the Taschen books are fabulous. This book is really packed with everything you need. As they say, a photo is worth a thousand words and this book is packed! This book's vibe is today's Paris; It really makes you feel like you're there. If you like verbiage, than this book is not for you.

No comments about The Travels of Marco Polo (With 25 illustrations in full color from a fourteenth-century manuscript in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris).

2 comments about Walk Paris.

1. I just returned from a trip to Paris with my daughter. This book was easy to follow and easy to pack! The best way to explore a neighborhood in Paris is by walking, and learning some of the history, yet stopping to enjoy the cafes and restaurants. The walks are well thought out, including a map to show you all the stops you can make, an agenda to plan out your day, with all the information for getting there, metro and bus stops, hours and costs. As you follow the walk, you are told exactly which way to turn when you exit a building or what landmark to look for. It's hard to get lost following these directions! As you follow a walk, the history and little known facts help make the area come alive, without overwhelming you! Also included are little stops to eat, drink and rest to make it all the more enjoyable. We especially loved the walk in our own neighborhood, rue Montorgueil. Monsieur Pineau at Foody's made us feel welcome, and provided some of the best soups and gorgeous salad bar we saw on the trip. The book also included tips to plan and pack for the trip, and all the necessary details about atms, post office, phone cards, metro passes, and much more to make our trip go smoothly. An area for phone numbers, addresses of friends and family, plus an area to write in the diary, made this book "all inclusive", useful & delightful.



2. Suzy's Walk Paris is a short introduction to places in Paris that are not mentioned in most popular travel guide books such as Fodor's or Frommor's, etc. I have to say that the directions are very simple and easy to understand but if you want something more compact and wider variety of information, this is not for you. I've bought Fodor's Paris 2008 and to compliment that I purchased Suzy's and it worked out perfect.
   Personally, it was too "baby-ish" for my taste. But, if you do not like reading too much, get Suzy's Walk Paris. Also, Suzy's cost way too much for the information given in the book. For that amount, I wished I had purchased Rick Steves' Paris...

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 Pariswalks: Sixth Edition (Pariswalks) (6th Edition).

1. The Pariswalks audiotape is an immensely entertaining and educational way to wander through Paris neighborhoods. You can, for a change, SEE what the guidebooks are talking about WITHOUT having your nose in the book the whole time. The narration is humorous as well as informative. Because this Pariswalks audiotape is so good,I have given theLondonwalks audiotape on faith for Christmas to someone about to head for London. I will never travel to Europe again without first checking to learn whether an audiotape is available for my destination city.



2. I've taken this book to Paris three times. Our local library discarded the book and I was so upset. It's wonderful to use in Paris or to remember my trips. I was so excited to find in newly published. I have already got one, which I passed on to a friend going to Paris, now I'm ordering another.



3. This is a terrific "off the beaten path" type tour guide. These tours take you to areas that other tourists just pass through on their way to the Eifel Tower and Louvre. With this book you experience the real Paris, not the tourist's Paris.

   At the beginning of each tour (allow one per day), find a bench in one of the many small parks and read the introduction to the tour. While you take in the sights, smells and sounds of the area, you'll learn a bit of history to set the stage for the tour. The walks are slow and intend for you to really look at your surroundings as you read about the history, architecture and people. I wish there were guides like this for every city!




4. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a much earlier edition of this wonderful little guide to the Paris these authors obviously love. The distaff side of the Landes clan has a keen eye for detail and a sharp nose for the unexpected tidbits that make visiting any city a delight.
   
   Directly as a result of following one of the walks I have found a club that is now, years later, a regular stop anytime I am in Paris. Everyone who has an interest in the quiter, more intimate details of Paris should take these walks. The authors' love of the city and their simple love of city life shines through in each of them.
   
   This latest edition is, if possible, an improvement on the previous ones; adding the perspective of a new co-author has improved the product.



5. 
   This book has been one of the many reasons I fell in love with Paris.
   
   In fact, it taught me how to explore Paris on my own during the 5 years I lived there. Beginning with this book, I learned how much history and cultural wealth is hidden in every corner of the city, ready to be discovered. I learned to explore the building façades, their inner patios that sometimes hide gardens, statues and even centuries old temples. I have explored parkings for outstanding discoveries (like the medieval wall on the underground parking on rue Mazarine), etc.
   
   I learned enough of the city history to get me curious and start reading on my own about the kings of France, the history of Paris architecture, and so much more.
   
   I have both an older edition and the audio guide, which is excelent for use when walking alone. However, I noticed that on the latest edition, the walk on rue Moufetard is gone (at least that's how it seems from the index here on Amazon"). Pitty, because I loved the region and the walk itself.
   
   The only danger is that if you go to Paris with this book, you may never want to leave again, like I did.

5 comments about The Paris Review Book: of Heartbreak, Madness, Sex, Love, Betrayal, Outsiders, Intoxication, War, Whimsy, Horrors, God, Death, Dinner, Baseball, Travels, ... Else in the World Since 1953 (Paris Review).

1. This book makes a perfect gift for both serious literature junkies and those who have blown off reading for the past fifty years. If the former applies to you, here's the best from the best. If you're in the latter category, this book will catch you up to speed. The Paris Review published the first chapter of Kerouac's ON THE ROAD, the first chapter of McInerney's BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY, the first chapter of Franzan's THE CORRECTIONS, etc., etc., etc. Obviously, they've been able to spot new talent from the day they started even to today. And of course, their fantastic interviews with writers themselves are legendary. A must for the collector and the neophyte alike.



2. I bought this book mainly for the interviews the magazine has had over the years, and some of them with notoriously reticent figures like Nabokov and Hemingway. But I was disappointed, because what really distinguishes a Paris Review interview from those of other magazines is how well they're edited, and how beautifully and naturally the conversations flow. All we get here is single paragraphs, usually just anecdotes, funny stories, little opinions: sometimes they're profound (see Edmund White's page) or just convey the author's personality well (Faulkner, Hemingway), but all of them just made me upset about not being able to read the rest of the interview.

   Of course there's not enough space. But I would have thrown out most of the other material. I doubt there was any way to make this collection totally succesful: if you pick only the famous stuff that the magazine has published over the years, it's sort of a waste, since most people would either have read the selection already or wouldn't want to read just an excerpt. A first chapter is useful to get you excited about an upcoming book, but unnecessary if the book's already been published. If you limit yourself to the more obscure material, well, it'll be good, but there's a reason that some people remain obscure.

   Not that I didn't get a lot of pleasure out of this book. Heather McHugh's poem, for example, is beautiful, and I never would have run across it if I hadn't picked this up. There are little wonders sprinkled throughout, but too much of the rest is familiar, just okay, or an unsatisfying little piece of something larger.

   I hesitate to put forward this criticism, since I have no idea how I could do it better - but I do know what book I would rather have read. If anyone down at the magazine (which I hope will rebound from the sad loss of Plimpton) can put together a big volume of complete, untruncated interviews, I would pay a princely sum for it. I've seen earlier collections, but nothing that covers the entire Plimpton era, and I think it would be easier to pick just the great interviews than to squeeze thirty plus years of wonderful material into this enjoyable but probably ill-advised collection.




3. Well I have never read a copy of the magazine The Paris Review but have subscribed to Granta since it started and subscribe to The New Yorker. The first story in the anthology "Terrific Mother" by Lorrrie Moore was enough for me to give this five stars - let's face it, where can you get such a thrill for $21? There may be some stories, poems, interviews, that don't grab me with the same electric immediacy as that first story, but I don't have to read it from cover to cover. It's one of those terrific bedside books as far as I'm concerned and an absolute joy to explore.



4. Reading anything can be a little time consuming if you're not into it, but this book strives to break-away from that by dividing up sections anyone can find interesting and paramount to their own lives as well as favorite authors interviews and intriguing samplings of written work. Read a lot or a little at time, but read it, its worth it!



5. I picked this up because I admire the editors at the Paris Review (past and present) and I wanted to acquaint myself, and my family with the variety of authors and their writing in the near immediate way that an anthology affords. The book is divided into topics: heartbreak, madness, sex, love, betrayal, etc., and the contributers span living and dead, male and female, young and old writers. In point of fact some pieces are interviews of the author on the topic, some are essays, short stories and other formats by them. Even if you've read their novels, it's interesting to see how they handle a topic in short form. If you have a mental check-list of important writers and want to taste their particular style and craft -- this book is for you. It is especially interesting to examine how pieces can become dated or continue to feel timeless, regardless of the mastery. Take a forkfull of radicchio then a piece of endive, or consume the entire bowel in one sitting. You are sure to enjoy this literary meal.