Rating: 
Summary: wonderful!
Review: Such a good book. I've been to Paris twice (and will go again despite the recent political problems) and it was wonderful to read the history of all the places I've seen. For example, I had no idea that the Les Halles area had been reserved as a market place since 1183. It's still a shopping area, too. It will make my visit next time more meaningful.I recommend reading this before a trip to Paris. It's also good to read while you're there or when you get back. I'm reading it now and marking passages to check out on my next vacation in that beautiful place.
Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining selection, if somewhat incomplete
Review: The previous reveiwer does a good job of giving one the flavor of this book. I would describe it as the informative ramblings of a very knowledgable historian, writing with breezy informality and a corresponding lack of discipline. (Let me reiterate a point from the previous reviewer that left me incredulous: the revolution of 1789 is, in any meaningful sense, absent. Now, this ground has been well trod by others, but really! A few more pages were in order. I bought this book as something to read in preparation for a brief visit to Paris. I learned a great deal and for the most part consider it a worthwhile exercise. With one serious caveat. The illustrations are small and poorly chosen, and even worse, there is no map! This book brims with vivid descriptions of the city's growth, destruction and reconstruction yet there is no visual reference for any of this. Some of the historical plates are interesting, but add little to the experience. A major omission in an otherwise good work of history.
Rating:
Summary: A superb history of Paris and France!!
Review: This is a superbly written history of Paris, as well as of France. It is at once well researched and scholarly, and highly readable and entertaining. While the history is focused on Paris, Horne skillfully weaves in the history of France as well. One thing that makes this such a good book is that Horne not only provides the reader with the political history, but weaves in descriptions of social issues, how the average Parisian lived, descriptions of the different social classes, information on the arts and culture, entertaining anecdotes, interesting portrayals of the important persons in the history of Paris and France, etc. In essence, he provides the reader with a full, comprehensive portrayal of Paris and France in a highly engaging writing style. My only very minor criticisms of the book are that a map of Paris should have been included, and not all of the very limited use of French was translated. Nevertheless, this is a must read for anyone interested in Paris and France. I would love to see Horne write a similar history of London.
Rating:
Summary: An indispensable book for seasoned and new travellers
Review: This is a wonderful book. Though written by a world class historian, it is anything but dry history. It captures the color of each age, its personalities, their architectural and artistic activities. No matter how many times you have visited Paris this book provides insights on what makes Paris the beautiful place that it is. Great read.
Rating:
Summary: An indispensable book for seasoned and new travellers
Review: This is a wonderful book. Though written by a world class historian, it is anything but dry history. It captures the color of each age, its personalities, their architectural and artistic activities. No matter how many times you have visited Paris this book provides insights on what makes Paris the beautiful place that it is. Great read.
Rating: 
Summary: Toujours Paris
Review: You can hardly visit a section of Paris without running across a statue, building or park whose origins are not wittily described in this marvelous book. The rulers of France are given a withering look as well. Horne is an eminent historian and much more. This book is for the first time as well as the seasoned visitor to Paris.
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