No comments about Paris: Past and Present.

No comments about Michelin Local Map Number 312: Essonne, Paris, Seine et Marne, Evry, Melun (France) and Surrounding Area, Scale 1:150,000.

1 comments about The Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume I. From Paris to Rome: Years of Travel as a Virtuoso (Dodo Press).

1. A few matters on this one: Yes, these letters are freely available on the internet at various website locations but then so are dictionaries [et al] where the convenience of a bound book can have its advantages and not to mention freebie versions copying and sorting issues. So too, if you get this one, you may wish to get the matching book which is entitled "From Rome to the End" and has 572 pages of further Liszt letters.
   
   The translation is by Constance Bache and the Foreword is dated 1893. The name, or rather pen name of "La Mara", is actually Maria Lipsius who was responsible for various 'letters' and musical personality publications during that era.
   
   I've often commented that a good way to better know and understand Franz Liszt is of course the many tomes written about him [the Dr. Alan Walker biographical trilogy being the 'standard' and 'definitive' Liszt in my opinion as well as Dr. Walker's other works on Liszt including the capstone 2005 "Reflections on Liszt" followed by those readily available diaries by Liszt's Weimar students [August Göllerich, Amy Fay, Carl Lachmund, Alexander Siloti and Arthur Friedheim, and not to forget the Lina Schmalhausen diary [a real eye opener that one! See my reviews on most of these tomes] and then, finally, the letters of Franz Liszt which cover a vast period of time but which are, in themselves, rather telling of the man, the master and the artist. And the era in which he lived with its noted personalities and various of which Liszt maintained long-term and/or lifetime friendships.
   
   The man and his music have always fascinated me although when I play various of his pieces, keys wise anyway, well, knowing Liszt also had a facility for Latin as he did other languages, I find myself doing a sort of ad hoc mantra of "mea culpa" [! -- 'maxima' inclusive on the Hungarian Rhapsodies especially #2 and #6!] while considering myself fortunate that I was not sitting on the "hot seat" in Weimar for the master himself to begin talking about [if you know Liszt, you'll get my drift immediately!] .. the "conservatory" [!] not to mention that famous Liszt Weimar buzz-word expression which 'all' the students knew at once when Liszt referred to those "uninvited guests" [read: clinkers].
   
   Doc Tony

No comments about Paris: Spanish-Language Edition (Lugares e Historia).

1 comments about Paul Almsay Paris (Photography).

1. The cover photograph of this book is lovely, amost a cliche of romantic Paris. A half century later, people stil walk and hang out at the spot on the Seine and later at night, there is a different undercurrent.
   
   There is more to Paris than the city that is polished daily and to say that does not demean its beauty spirit or anything else. But Almsay's photography is as much about what actually makes up Paris as a city as it is about how we want to see it.
   
   It is worth reading the introductory material to this book for a sense of what Almsay observed, lived and photographed.
   
   There is much to admire in Almsay's photography, but it should be noted that he was a chronicler of people and events, not an mpressionist. In that he found art.
   
   Almsay

2 comments about Sandra Gustafson's Great Sleeps in Paris.

1. This is an excellent resource for Paris hotels. Content includes frank, specific information on each property, right down to which rooms to ask for when booking. I rely on Gustafson's advice whenever I travel to a city she's written on. I also recommend her "Great Eats" series. Buy this book and your trip will be better for it!



2. Excellent, concise hotel info. I have used this book for several years and found it to be correct. Keep going back to one of her recommendations and never am disappointed. Good value for price of hotel is the key here.

2 comments about Eyewitness Travel City Map to Paris.

1. This map was definitely key in my recent quick trip to Paris. I must warn however, skip the Metro map and pick one up at the a station. The one provided on the map is small and often confusing. The Metro lines on the Eyewitness map are not numbered (only in color) - once you go to connect trains the stations refer to the train numbers. Still, the major streets, monuments, and Metro stops are clearly marked on the Eyewitness map, making it easy to use the street and Metro maps together. The added bonus is that this map is laminated and folds in several different ways - making it easy to pull it out of your bag for quick reference.



2. This map is meant to be an accompaniment to the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Paris, and it may be that it works well in that role. (I enjoy the books; I think the series is terrific.) But as a standalone product, I found it an unsatisfactory compromise between the Streetwise series and a "real" Michelin city map. It is larger than the Streetwise series, and shows a bit more of the city, but it is seriously lacking in the detail that comes with the Michelin city map. And if you want to go anywhere beyond the central arrondissments, you're out of luck.
   
   The good aspect of the map is that it is laminated and folds easily, but it's a little too big to carry in a jacket pocket. If you're just looking to guide yourself around the center of town, you're better off with the Streetwise guide, which is of a more convenient size. If you really need to find a particular street, and/or you want to explore beyond the tourist areas, stick with the big Michelin or equivalent. They may be clumsy to handle, but the big maps have the best detail.
   
   PS: I agree with the other review regarding the Metro map. It lacks route numbers and it is awfully small.

1 comments about Paris (Berlitz Pocket Guides).

1. This book is small but don't let it make you think it isn't complete! Full of up to date places to see and eat, helpful tips ect... and what I love most about it is that it is small enough to slip into a purse or back pocket. Entirely handy and a must have for taking along while you are sight seeing beacuse of its portable size! The last thing you want is to lug a huge book around while you are enjoing the City of Lights!Useful, practical and very easy to use. Flip out maps of Paris on the front and back covers and a small usefull French expression list of the most practical and useful words. Oh, and you can't beat the price!

No comments about Secret Bars and Restaurants in Paris (Jonglez).

3 comments about Michelin The Green Guide Northern France & Paris Region (Michelin Green Guides).

1. As a devotee of Michelin Guides Vert, in anticipation of our forthcoming trip to Normandy and Brittany I was delighted to find listed on Amazon.com "Michelin THE GREEN GUIDE - Northern France and the Paris Region". On its arrival today I was disappointed to find that neither of our destination Departments was included - only "Nord - Pas de Calais", "Picardie", and "Ile de France - Paris". For what it covers, I presume that this volume meets Michelin's usual high standard. However, either Michelin or Amazon should have indicated what areas "Northern France" includes in this instance, if only by posting the small map of France highlighting the covered departments, that appears on the back cover of the volume. Also, the coverage of the city of Paris is only 7 pages plus a two page map. Thus, those anticipating a substantial coverage of Paris may be disappointed.



2. The 4th edition is quite a change from past green guides. It is much longer and includes limited hotel and restaurant listings as well as useful website addresses. It provides detailed information on architecture, art, beaches, numerous chateaux, nature reserves, walking tours etc for Flanders, Picardy etc. It is a great guide, especially if you have a car, as it provides a number of suggestions for driving tours. If you want a guide for the city of Paris it is probably better to get a guide that concentrates just on that city. However, if you want a guide for Pas-de-Calais towns and the greater Paris region (Versailles, Chartres, Fontainebleau) this one is a very good choice.



3. Unlike the previous reviewer, I was looking for coverage of Picardie (not Normandie or Bretagne or Paris, which are covered in separate Michelin guides), so this guide was perfect.

   The guide covers Picardie, Nord Pas de Calais/French Flanders and the Ile de France. The coverage is exactly what one would expect from Michelin's intelligent, historical and comprehensive reviewing. I thought that the inclusion of coverage of the Ile de France was properly placed, and Michelin affords it detailed attention, as opposed to being treated as sidetrips from Paris.

   Therefore, the guide is excellent for both Northern France and the Ile de France.