Paris

This is by far Kerouac's most enlightening book. He expresses his deep emotion of the Buddhist culture. Satori comes only when the main character follows the Path of Enlightenment and the Four Noble Truths of Tibetian Buddhism. a must read for any Kerouac fan or anyone who wants to share the experience of Eastern wisdom and thought.

"Satori in Paris" explores a trip to France by Mr. Kerouac. In it we vist many of the interesting people and places that Jack runs into during his odyssey of sorts of self exploration. If memory serves me right I think this may have been his last novel published. Like many of his other great works "Satori" perfectly captures the vibe and feel of the pre-sixties, pre-Vietnam era beat generation.

This book provides the reader with the best chance of
exploring the roots of Kerouac's spitituality. Far too
often the beats are viewed as a bunch of intellectual
hedonists whose love for verse was equalled only
by their indulgence in the various permetations of
chemical abuse. The beats set the stage for the 60's,
and America's search for a true a national spirituality.
As "King of the Beats", Kerouac takes the reader into an
in depth analysis of what lay at the very heart of the

beat movement-the journey is the reward in and of itself.

These memoirs by Sylvia Beach--originally published in the 1950s--are reprinted here exactly as published. Ms. Beach became one of the most prominent Americans in Paris during the twenties and thirties by opening a bookstore called "Shakespeare & Company" (the title of this book). But to refer to her as a "bookstore manager" misses the point completely. Shakespeare & Company was a meeting place for many of the literary luminaries living in Paris at the time, including James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Her personal account places the reader in the center of their lives in a way no biographer looking back eighty years could dare to accomplish. Most notably, though, is Ms. Beach's support of James Joyce. When Joyce's masterpiece "Ulysses" looked as if it might not be published because of the fear of censorship exhibited by some of the established British and American publishing companies, Ms. Beach took it upon herself to take Joyce's finished manuscript to a printer in Dijon, and published the book herself, thereby ensuring that the world would experience this novel as Joyce intended. In fact, she exhibited admirable patience by allowing Joyce to correct proofs innumerable times and to increase the size by one third after it had been initially typeset by hand.

These memoirs are anecdotal and readable and the story moves along quickly. The only criticism I have, however, is that having read subsequent works, such as the Fitch book on Sylvia Beach, there were a few occasions in this volume when the editors back in the 1950s cut sections of her manuscript that dealt with "controversial" subjects, such as the relationship between Ms. Beach and the French bookseller Adrienne Monnier. One would hope at some time a publisher might afford Ms. Beach the opportunity she gave to James Joyce: to have the book published as she intended.

Sylvia Beach, with eyes and ears that missed little in the way of nuance and subtlety, as much compassion for her fellows as passion for their writing and her bookshop, and a plucky all-American, "the gal can do it" spirit, wordpaints very likely one of the most accurate portraits of literary and artistic ex-patriates in Paris in the Twenties and Thirties. While they do seem a jolly crew, Beach is unflinching in her descriptions of the tiffs and teapot tempests that regularly flew. While such works as Hemingway's MOVEABLE FEAST, McAlmon's BEING GENIUSES TOGETHER, and Janet Flanner's PARIS WAS YESTERDAY are interesting and viable, each in its own way, Sylvia's little book out-sparkles them all for wit and humane truth. A priceless gem among books about books, readers and writers.

This, a book about books, is one of my favorites. In just 220 pages, bookshop owner Sylvia Beach, owner of the bookstore "Shakespeare and Company," paints a vivid portrait of the social, cultural, and especially , in Paris.

The store opened in November 1919, offering works of T.S. Elliot, Joyce, Chaucer, and others, a variety of literary reviews, and photographs of Wilde and Whitman. It ran first as kind of lending library, and almost immediately the many native and expatriate writers of Europe were borrowing books--and giving her their own new writings. Very early customers included Gide, Maurois, American poet Robert McAlmon , "Mr. and Mrs. Pound, " and the following couple:

"Not long after I opened my bookshop, two women came walking down the rue Dupuytren. One of them, with a very fine face, was stout, wore a long robe, and, on her head, a most becoming top of a basket. She was accompanied by a slim, dark whimsical woman: she reminded me of a gypsy. They were Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas."

Sylvia Beach writes clearly, candidly, and fondly of her many visitors and friends in prewar Europe, especially the 1920's ( she and her friends dismantled the shop when the Nazis threatened to confiscate her books in 1941). She evokes an entire era though richly told and plentiful anecdotes. She writes of encounters and friendships with such notables as Sherwood Anderson, Katherine Anne Porter, Satie, Bryher, H.D., Paul Valery, Valery Larbaud, D. H. Lawrence, and Hemingway (at the end of the book, Hemingway liberates "the wine cellar at the Ritz" (Hemingway's words) as he and his company try to rid the Rue l'Odeon of the remaining German snipers. Perhaps her closest relationship was with James Joyce, and she tells many stories, both amusing and sad, about him. (Sylvia Beach published the first edition of the highly controversial "Ulysses" in 1922.) The book feels intimate; one feels as if M. Beach has let one into her confidence. Highly enjoyable, fascinating, personal--and ultimately thrilling.

The book has two distinct sections. The first 100 pages is a report on the Mellon family lifestyle, and how a rich maverick Mellon got to Haiti. The rest of the book details Dr. and Mrs. Mellon's founding of a hospital and civil engineering projects in central Haiti.
An important finding is that the Mellon's hospital was founded on the humanitarian premise, "Reverence for life." Taken from Dr. Sweitzer's work in Africa, life refers not only to human life, but also plant and animal. This little detail is critical to understanding the book. Many missions to Haiti are Christian, while Dr. Mellon's hospital is distinctly humanistic primarily as presented in the book.
As all books on Haiti fairly present, doing anything in Haiti is hard, and without American financial support, very little work done lasts. The hospital Dr. Mellon founded did well as long as he provided two of the four million dollars needed to run it. His civil engineering projects, in which he was much more interested than medicine (he actually only practiced medicine 3 years), all crumbled when turned over to the Haitians. Many other cottage industries met the same fate.
The book thus captures the Haitian dilemna, how to serve in Haiti and lift up the Haitians to be self sufficient. If Dr. Mellon's millions couldn't do it, how can any of us with less money at our disposal. Never the less, we go to Haiti because we cannot not go, nor can we not go back after going once.
An excellent book about how a real rich guy did his best to follow his heart, not his accountant's advice, and another book about how a strong wife really does the grunt work while her husband plays with big boy's toys.

The life of William Larimer Mellon is an example of the life Americans should dream for themselves and those they love dearly. For one who majored in biology and gave it up for 18 years in auditing the paralells to Mellon's change of career and motivations struck me deeply. On witnessing the WTC disaster personally (a few hundred yards away) man should strive for something in life and go for it. Barry Paris well written account of a life inspired by Dr. Schweitzer is highly recommended to all readers committed to God and American morals and values. If readers have a noble vision the price of this book is totally insiginificant to the highest rewards you will gather from reading it.

Song of Haiti is an absolutely awesome book! As a nurse who has done mission work in Haiti, I found this book authentic, a true inspiration, as well as a compelling, indepth view of the lives of many dedicated and compassionate people. Barry Paris' work describes the country and the people in beautiful and fullfilling language. Oftentimes, I felt as if I were in Haiti again experiencing the amazing, hard-working and loving people of the country. I've never before read a biography with such griping prose. I looked forward to my time to read because I became more and more interested in the life of every person described - be it Dr. Mellon and Gwen or Albert Schweitzer, or the nurses and doctors and friends with whom they shared their lives. I believe this is the way that biographical work should be written. Song of Haiti is thorough in that it covers the entirety of Dr. Mellon's life, touching on his downfalls as well as his high acheivements. I found that the realism with which the story is told is excellent and believable. The many everyday encounters and adventures are interesting and mesmerizing - it makes a person want to travel and experience the third world for all of the beauty and intensity it offers. I recommend this book to everyone, regardless of your interest in medicine, mission work, or biography. It is amazing.

This is definitely a theater must. Stella Adler, probably one of the best American acting teachers talking about three of the greatest playwrights (Ibsen, Strindberg, and Chekhov) ever. It is hard where to categorize this book for it points out ways (or I should say one way for Chekhov) to approach the plays of these Playwrights to the Actor but it is also very academic and analytic of the plays at the same time. Most of the entries, broadly discuss the play going from the actor's point of view to the directors to historical facts to the author's life etc. It is very insightful and inspring but There is only one problem I have with this book is her aggressive assumption that the only approach to Chekhov can be through Stanlisvaski's method and any other way is wrong. Now I agree that Stanislavski goes hand in hand with the Realism period but as Chekhov himself said "I wrote vaudevilles and Stanlisvaski has staged them as sentimental dramas". What is my point? That in theatre you cannot approach everything from one school of thought. We in the Theatre fight too much about Technique instead of moving audiences and transforming them. Still though, this book is worth reading and has great insights on these three playwrights.

Whether you are an actor, director, or just someone interested, these lectures of Stella's make you feel as though you are in the room with her, gaining the benefit of her years of experience in the theater. Given her father's noteworthy accomplishments in the Yiddish theater coupled with her own experience, especially that in the Group Theater, she has a unique background and a wealth of understanding that fuels her ability to convey the essence of these three playwrights and their works.

Her goal is to get the actor (or director, for that matter) to understand the heart and soul of a play and any of the roles (characters) within. Not until one really understands what's hidden between the lines, can one even think of approaching a role. Stella offers her humanity by sharing her perspectives on life and society and how they might relate to understanding a role. In the case of any playwright, she points out through wonderful examples that one must not only seek to understand the playwright, but also the time in which he or she lived. It is essentially a book sending that critical message that it's not about the lines but the life given to the role by the actor's understanding of the life of the character, which comes by seriously seeking to understand the material, its creator, the time period it takes place, etc. She reveals her life in the lectures in a way that provides a wonderful example as to how one might want to hone one's ability to find the deeper meaning hidden between the lines.

It's a great read with a lot of soul: Stella lives!!! ... and you can sit there with her while she shares her life. What a great thing!

Possibly helpful suggestion: If you aren't familiar with Ibsen, Strindberg, or Chekhov, a great way to dive in (and the approach I took) is to pick up this book along with the plays she references within. Read each play before she discusses it in the book. Or, read all of the plays for a given playwright, then approach that section of the book. This way the play is somewhat fresh in your mind. If you aren't familiar with any of the plays I'd imagine that it might be overwhelming to read all of the plays at once followed by the book.

This book is a must for serious actors who wish to further their understanding of the great writers for the stage. Before reading this book, I was, as an actor, very intimidated by the works of all three writers, but now feel like I can approach their plays with some degree of clarity and purpose. Adler writes from the point of view of performer, literary analyst, and teacher, a combination that serves to leave the reader inspired to tackle these three catalysts of the theatre.

"There is an excitement about raw news that is hard to explain, but is palpable . . . ."

During World War II, so many men were in the military that women took over what had been considered "men's" jobs. You've heard of Rosie the Riveter. This book introduces you to "Pitts" Buckley (an older sister of William F. Buckley, Jr. and later managing editor for the National Review for 27 years) in 1944 as she graduates from Smith College, where she edited the newspaper. Her memoir focuses on two stints she did with United Press, the first in New York during 1944-48 and the second in Paris during 1953-56. Like many journalistic memoirs, there's lots here about learning on the job, famous colleagues, interviewing celebrities, and major news events. The permanent value of this light, well-written book is a picture of what it was like to be a female news correspondent for a wire service when that was unusual. Ms. Buckley is a very delightful person, and you will enjoy reading about her experiences. The only drawback of the book is that she fails to connect her anecdotes back to a larger context to make them more meaningful.

Ms. Buckley has a good sense of fun, and you will probably remember her humor best from the book. Here's a flavor of how she introduces the book. In explaining why she chose United Press over a competing offer at twice the wages, she says she "opted for . . . starvation wages, and a wonderful life." "We lived on what would now be called the poverty level, but didn't know it." Her first job was a a "copy boy" and "it wasn't much fun." These were really gofers and she wanted to become a "newspaperman." And she did.

If you understand French, her stories about literal translations of English into French are quite funny.

The book has several running gags. One is about constantly changing apartments and living quarters for not paying the rent. The other is about having her Hillman-Minx breakdown in the busiest intersections in Paris and helping to cause riots.

There are also interesting insights into how news is made. Ms. Buckley was pretty open about meeting new people, even when there was no obvious story. During a tour of the George V hotel in Paris, she spotted an American tattoo on a man working on the pastry in the kitchen. This became a story about how a GI switched careers and countries.

One of the best stories in the book is about the French surrender at Dien Bien Phu in Indochina in 1954. Ms. Buckley and a colleague interpreted a mysterious French dispatch correctly as being a surrender, and beat the Associated Press by 15 minutes to the story. On another occasion, she tells about how a dying composer was miraculously "resuscitated" in a second story after being incorrectly reported as deceased on the wire. There are also wonderful stories of covering obscure sports from correspondents who spoke French quickly when no one was around to help translate.

Her reports about the famous are interesting, too. Once, she was dispatched with 10,000 francs (which wasn't very much) to take Gloria Swanson to lunch, in order to give Ms. Swanson tips on how to improve her column (which was a bomb, and was later canceled). Ms. Swanson only wanted an omelet, so the budget was saved. Ms. Swanson did not follow the advice, but was very friendly and nice. Ms. Buckley also covered Jane Russell trying on Dior dresses (with difficulty), and Premier Pierre-Mendes-France's campaign to have French school children drink milk (one protested).

After you read this memoir, I suggest that you think about where taking on a role that people of your sex normally do not do could provide some fun and change of perspective. Then try it, and see what you think. Men, you could take up embroidering outdoors. Women, you could roto-till the garden for spring planting.

See the potential all around you!

What an amusing book. Priscilla Buckley had a spirit of adventure that propelled her to New York and a reporting career. Later that spirit took her to Paris in the 50s when it was still a magical place. I read this from begining to end in one afternoon because it's such a delight.

This little book is a classic "good read". Miss Buckley has an astounding memory for detail (one can only envy) which puts the reader quite into the thick of a busy, no, frenetic news bureau. Such a tightly written book as this leaves the reader little time to wander off as the news of World War II and later, the Cold War, erupt from the offices of the United Press. If you enjoy a look into yesterday through the eyes of someone with keen powers of observation as well as a (dare I say spiritual?) optimistic outlook on life and people everywhere, you will not be disappointed. A very fun book. You'll want to order several as gifts.

In complement to a more in-depth guide like the Michelin Green Guide, this Top 10 Guide will make you discover Paris as if you were a Parisian yourself: surprisingly clear, handy and complete information on restaurants, places of interest and other things to do and to see to enjoy the city and escape the hordes of tourists. I lived in Paris some years ago and I would not be surprised if this book becomes a classic for the Parisian themselves, even in the present English edition.

This book will guide you to the best of Paris.

I'm french, and I well know Paris. trust me, It's a real good job, even for french people.

I did travel to Europe a few weeks ago. I had only a few days in Paris, and I wanted to get the best of my stay in this wonderful city. Thanks to the guide, I enjoyed some charming walks, fine restaurants, and crazy night life. I bought some other guides before leaving, and none of them provided me with so helpful information. It is a must, and I would like to thank you once again the author...Great job, and voila (as they say in Paris)

This book was REALLY funny and good. Even though it was quite predictable, it was still kinda humourous especially the twin's attempts to escape from the clutches of their "murederer". A great book. =)

Jessica and Elizabeth are vacationing in Paris,exactly where some killer is going around killing young girls who come from America and are vacationing in Paris.Pretty bad luck eh?

Honestly,its a great,suspense book even when you read it for the 1st,2nd,3rd4th time..!!

This book was really funny! The twins had all these types of adventures trying to escape thier host, a so-called murderer. They try to escsape and they run right into the hands of the murderer who collects Amereican children and locks them up in a tower and murders them! It sounds really strange in my words! But if you read the whole book in Ms. Pascal's words, you'll see what a terrific book this is. You'll love ot! this book deserves 6 stars!!!!

I found this book to be insightful into the life of the writer. However, it seemed to be only scratching the surface. There seemed to be a lot of emotions beneath the surface of what we read. I would have liked to have more depth into the writer's life. The RWBC (Rochester Women's Book Club) actually had the great opportunity to meet with Ms. DaVida Paris at our 5/19/01 club meeting. This was very beneficial to us. A tremendous amount of insight was shared with us by the writer. At this time she shed a lot of light on what I felt was scatchy. After talking with Ms. Pais, I must say that this book is a very helpful and useful tool in teaching people, particularly, women (young and old and everyone in between) that no matter what our circumstances may be, no matter what may be happening to us at the present time, God can and will deliver and make us better for what we have gone through. I can now understand the title of the writer's book. No matter what, God deserves our unconditional praise.

Words can not express the roller coaster of emotions I went through in your book. I am now attempting to secure a speaking engagement and book signing with you in my community. Women need to heal themselves so we can reap this full harvest, but the laborers are few. I think your book will inspire them to be all God wants them to. Being secure in the fact of being God's woman. Thank you for your divine inspiration to give the world this word.

A must read! My faith in God was greatly increased by how He repeatedly revealed Himself in DaVida's life. Once I began reading, I could not put this book down. It is an open, honest, transparent, soul-searching biography that will minister to the sin sick soul, as well as, inspire those saints who are in a 'spiritual' battle. Anyone who doesn't believe that the Devil is real and that we are in spiritual warfare, will definitely be enlightened after reading this book. It touched so many emotions as I laughed, cried, and gleaned from the embedded jewels of God's Word hidden in each heart wrenching chapter. This book Will be a success, because to God be the Glory! I look forward to DaVida's next book...

I liked this book, and enjoyed the large print! A very good romance. . .If you liked this bookm you would thorougly enjoy Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher, It is for certain the love story of the century . ..Every love a woman or man can ever know is in the book, and it leaves a forever mark upon your heart . ..

This was a very good book, that kept your interest, and made you want to read on. If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.

Just returned from a trip to Europe and used this guidebook while in Paris. I usually go with Rough Guide's city guide books when I travel because I like how they break down the city in an area-by-area fashion. But I decided to try TimeOut's Paris guide book -- liked all the magazine-like layout and color pictures, history section, and other little layout info. nuggets (like Hemingway's favorite spots in town).

There's a ton of good info. in here like:
* excellent color maps in back (I didn't need to buy a streetmap when in Paris since it has all the major parts of the city covered).
* great concise info about attractions/restaurants/clubs/etc. with a pointer to the maps in back for location (loved this feature -- great time saver and prevents you from asking for directions).
* general tips on language, currency, pitfalls of Paris (like pickpockets! This little section could save you a lot of headaches -- the Algerian kids are real and they work just as described in here! I saw two kids at work in the Anver's Metro stop near Sacre-Coeur, but I digress....)
* the Trips Out of Town section was useful, but could use more precise information about what trains to take out to certain places like Chartes.

My major critcism of "TimeOut Paris" is the way the information is organized by these sections: Context (history); Sightseeing; Eat, Drink, Shop; Arts & Entertainment; and Directory (a vauge description that doesn't really get at what that section of the book is about). Instead of tackling each section of Paris and addressing these topics by city section, you have to search around the book for info., and that's a huge waste of time.

Lastly, as another reviewer already pointed out, check out Sandra Gustafson's Great Sleeps/Eats series and read them BEFORE you book and go on your trip. The accommodation and restaurant listings are skimpy in here. I also found TimeOut's restaurant recommendations hit-and-miss: I tried a Thai place recommended that was within walking distance of my hotel and was disappointed (great hip ambiance and people watching, poor service and skimpy portions), while another brasserie recommended in Monmartre was completely wonderful in every way.

The bottomline is that no single guide book will satisfy you on every level, but be sure to supplement this book with others as well as research on the Internet (check out Lonely Planet's web site and message boards).

Happy travels.

I enjoy all of TimeOut's city guides. I have never been disappointed with any of the suggested hotels.

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE and I never leave home without one. As long as I have my TimeOut book, I'm always sure to have a great time

This guidebook is fun to read and very informative. It starts with a summary of Parisian history, then sections on each neighborhood, then sections by subject: accommodation, restaurants, sights, clubs, practical information. Good color maps are in the back of the book with a good index and street map index. I used it as my one guidebook for my vacation. This book seems more up-to-date than the Lonely Planet guide to Paris, although it's not as frank. However, I found the accommodation and restaurant listings snobbish and skimpy (use the Cheap Sleeps and Cheap Eats books instead). Overall, it's a great book to tote on the trip, but the Lonely Planet and Cheap Sleeps & Eats are the best for pre-trip research.