1 comments about Imagining Paris: Exile, Writing, and American Identity.

1. Kennedy's work is the best I've read on writers and Paris. Each of his close readings of what Paris comes to mean to key twentieth century American writers--Stein, Hemingway, Miller, Fitzgerald,Barnes--goes to the heart of their works, unraveling the mysterious impact of place on art. For that is his theme, the effect of place on who one is and what one writes. He also knows that it is not to the city of Paris only but to the "city of writing" writers long to belong. Kennedy traces well each writer's vision of Paris and its expression of both artistic identity and desire.

   A brilliant and extremely readable book.

2 comments about Inside Out Paris (InsideOut City Guides).

1. This is a great little travel guide! The small size (about 5 ½" x 4"x 1/2") is perfect to just throw in your bag and go. One side of the book contains laminated maps of the Touileries-Louvre and Les Halles areas that pull out to reveal small maps of the rest of Paris. They are very small, but very detailed (and show the Metro stops). The spine of the book has a compass that pops up if you need to get your bearings.

   The second side of the book has brief descriptions of the sites, restaurants, etc. I found the restaurant section especially helpful since my travel companion was a vegetarian and this guide had the only listing for a vegetarian restaurant (none of my other guides had any).

   Don't only purchase this guide though. Although it's a good guide to carry around with you while in Paris (and you won't stick out as a tourist trying open and read unwieldy maps), there isn't a lot of detail on the sites. I would recommend purchasing this and the Eyewitness Guide to Paris, which is very detailed (but heavy!)

   The only thing the guide is conspicuously lacking is a map of the Metro system, which would have been very helpful.




2. I was a little disappointed by this map. I had purchased the Madrid, Spain one a few years back as was so impressed by it. It was handier and more accurate than some of the travel books in the bookstore. But Paris wasn't as useful. It didn't tell us much of what we were interested in for a city with so much history and culture. It is better suited for those more interested in the fashion and shopping Paris has to offer rather than seeing the sights.

No comments about AUTHENTIK / Chic Paris (Authentik).

No comments about Candida Hofer: Opera De Paris.

No comments about Step by Step Paris (Insight Guides Step By Step).

5 comments about Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland.

1. This is a great book, well documented and footnoted. Plenty of information for the Disney novice. There are anecdotes and paraphrases which imply first person research, but the notations are useful in clearing up issues.

   A strong argument in favor of the theme park as a diversion and entertainment and not as an entity to spread American philosophy or forced culture. This is a compelling thesis for a talented author.

   A little pricey, the book is a fine compliment to other books in the Disney library.




2. So this is the real story of EuroDisney... I have to admit that I never even thought (hoped ? forget it...) to find such a well made book on this particular topic. It's fascinating, how Lainsbury packs all the different contents and perspecticves into a single, compact book. Comprehensive, informative and above all, entertaining; you'll really enjoy reading it. It's too sad that it only consists of about 200 pages, but hey... it's really well worth a try. If you are curious about the history of EuroDisney/ Disneyland Paris and searching for a comprehensive, interesting source, this is your book of choice.



3. If you're a theme park enthusiast, the description of the design phases of Eurodisneyland are particularly detailed. If you're a Disney fan, this is a rare chance of looking backstage to discover hidden aspects that will boost your respect for the genius behind the magic. If you're a marketing student, this case history is enough to feed your thoughts for years. And if you're a sociology scholar, "Riding the Black Ship" is better. Warning: no mice, fancy photos and/or hypocrisy inside.



4. Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland is extremely well researched, with interesting backgrounds and developments preceding the opening of Disneyland Paris (DLP).
   
   However, the book is published in 2000, but the last information on DLP in the book date back to November 1994, which is almost ten years ago!
   
   The final chapter furthermore has very little to do with the European park, because it focuses solely on the development of the Walt Disney Company in the States.
   
   The notes, bibliography and index take up one-third of the whole book. It shows how thoroughly Andrew Lainsbury's research has been, but represents a disappointment for the reader who expects 100 pages more on DLP.
   
   Finally must be said that although Lainsbury worked in the European park, the book is written from an American point of view on Europe, which shows in Lainsbury's sometimes negative appreciation of French culture.
   
   The book is definitely a recommendation for everyone interested in the development and initial years of Disneyland Paris, but is too short and covers too few years to be satisfying for the interested reader.



5. The story of Euro Disneyland is an exciting topic and therefor I purchased 'Once upon an American dream'. I was both dissappointed by both content and style. I am affraid that even a high school student would have written a more superior and more enticing storey. Please do not waste your money on this book.

No comments about Buying a Piece of Paris: A Memoir.

1 comments about Open Road's Best of Paris: One-Day, Weekend, One-Week & Two-Week Trips.

1. I love the walking tours of Paris in this book. This book has seven walks with easy street by street directions. There's an Islands Walk that takes you to Notre Dame and the Deportation Memorial (but my favorite part is past the pet market). The Left Bank Walk takes you down Boulevard St-Germain (but the highlight for me is the place Furstenburg, a scenic hidden square that's been in tons of films). The Marais Walk hits the antique shops in Village St-Paul and the beautiful place des Vosges. The Major Sights walk is perfect if you only have a little time in Paris because it hits the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees. There's a Montmartre Walk past the Basilica Sacre Coure and the restaurant that was featured in the movie Amelie. And there's also a Culinary Walk (hitting some of the best food shops and markets in Paris) and a Da Vinci Code Walk (that takes you to the places featured in the book and movie). A great way to experience Paris!

5 comments about Urban Crayon Paris: The City Guide for Parents with Children.

1. 
   This book does not have the details necessary to make an enjoyable trip with your kids to Paris, there are others which look better for planning this adventure. Having visited Paris with our two daughters, we did not find this guide very helpful. The organization of where you select destinations for girls (divas) and boys (dudes)is trying to be cute and nothing more. We had a wonderful time with our daughters, but being spontaneous and talking with others was the key, not this book as a reference guide. I suspect this book is trying to be part of a series, and if it is, I suggest they do a better job with the text and get better pictures for the next city. A total dud, despite the bright cover which I cannot recommend.



2. Bright Pink cover, but not very helpful. I have one young daughter and we just got back from Paris where I did not find this book very useful for the week we were there. Dudes and Divas, give me a break more like someone's fantasy and not well organized at that, but it only cost $10. But as the end all for visiting in Paris with children, I think readers would not find this book particularly helpful. Keep looking and doing your own research would be the best way to go. Paris was great otherwise.



3. I found this guide to be useful on my recent trip to Paris with my daughter. I especially loved the sections that highlighted the kid-friendly restaurants and attractions. The information was very detailed and very easy to follow. My daughter and I really had an enjoyable trip. Upon my return, I purchased several guides and gave them to co-workers. I would definitely recommend this guide to families who are planning to travel to Paris in the near future.



4. We recently took our two kids (a 1 yr old boy and 2.5 year old daughter) to Paris with us for a family vacation and this guide proved to be brilliant! I carried it with us everywhere and never once found myself at a loss for what to do with the children. It's super easy and readable and the listings (such as child-friendly restaurants and museums) made choosing venues and planning our days simple and anxiety-free. I was much less-stressed knowing ahead of time that wherever I was going was going to be appropriate for two noisy, energetic children. I highly recommend it!



5. We knew Paris, I mean the Paris for grown ups, the nice cafes, the smoky bars, the cinemas, all those things you do when you are a couple. This summer however, we needed a different plan. Thanks to this great guide, we discovered along with our 18 month-old son another wonderful side of Paris; marionettes, playgrounds, boat and train rides all perfect for a toddler and his parents, plus it is great to know in advance which restaurants have changing tables and high chairs.

No comments about Photographer's Paris.