Paris

These guides are incredibly helpful and became my soul companion. They include most of what other travel guides offer, yet they little pull out maps are comprehensive and small enough to be subtle when viewing, helping avoid the helpless tourist profile. When I travel these books are the first I search for in my awaited destination.

My wife and I used this guide for our 10 day visit to Paris. We had other guides with us, but this one was by far the most convenient and useful. You WILL want another more in-depth guide as well (this one just hits the high points), but for the maps and tips on the most important sites, this is the one to carry around (it DOES actually fit in the back pocket of my jeans).

wherever you go, whatever you do, get a knopf mapbook! they're the best - exceedingly accurate and informative, small enough to be ideally portable, and always offering extra stops along the way you might not have thought about - a travelers best friend, and, for $9ish, you really can't afford NOT to get one - they're wholly worthwhile.

This is an *adaptation* of the original Les Miserables by Victor Hugo that has been streamlined and simplified. It is arguably "dumbed-down." At any rate, it's not the real thing, so if you are looking for Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, move on. As for Les Miserables, it's an incredible book. So, for folks who wouldn't otherwise pick up as thick a tome as the original Victor Hugo classic, or any of its more judicial abridgements, this adaptation serves its purpose--to tell Hugo's timeless story of Jean Valjean, who spends ninteen years in prison after stealing a loaf of bread and who spends the rest of his life trying to become a better man. However, for readers with a little fortitude, the real thing is recommended. Why? Because there's just too much in the story to condense into this 287-page volume. While some long, irrelevant tangents (such as the description of Waterloo) will turn off some readers, and are excluded or downsized in abridgements that hover at around 600 pages, there is too much that is missed in editor Jim Reimann's albiet it mostly faithful version. Little things. Things that add detail and depth and impact to the canvas on which the story unfolds. For example, Fantine, the poor woman-turned prostitute in desperation whose daughter Valjean adopts, keeps her disreputable profession, but Hugo's stark and moving summation of her burial in a paupers' cemetary--"Her grave was like her bed--public."--is not included. This is probably in the cause of keeping the story focused on the movements of Valjean, but not to get to know the other characters is a loss. Another caveat, this adaptation is a "Christian" book, designed to be marketed to a religious audience. While the original also contains much of God, there is less of a specifically religious agenda behind it. Particularly a Protestant point-of-view. For example, a woman who emerges from a "cathedral" in the original Hugo exits from a "church" in Reimann's version. Does it affect the story? No. Readers are just being coddled by being given only terms which they themselves use and identify with. Ironically, Les Miserables doesn't need to be marketed to a specific group: people the world over--from the Western world to Communist China where Les Miserables is immensely popular--find it resonates in their own lives. Though it is a daunting book because of its length, there are accessible translations (look for the Penguin Classics edition, translated by Norman Denny, for more "modern" language), Reimann's adaptation is only one of a range of options. If it brings people who wouldn't otherwise experience the story, it's doing a good thing, but it's still a shadow of the real thing. Be aware that an adaptation is significantly different from a translation in that more material is cut than from a simple abridgement and editorialization or molding of a story to fit an interpreation can occur. So, if you've already tried and just can't do it, this edition does contain the basics of the story, but for the actual factual Les Miserables, take on the complete original, or failing that, a longer abridgement (not adaptation).
Two and a half stars for this adaptation.
Five stars for Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

Victor Hugo authors a controversial and exciting novel based on the journeys of the escaped convict, Jean Valjean. While freeing himself from imprisonment, Valjean creates a new life for himself as the mayor of a small town in France. During his reign, he befriends a prostitute by the name of Fantine, who is on the brink of death and desperately needs to see her fatherless child, Cosette. Valjean's identity is being questioned. He is torn between maintaining his reputation and dooming an innocent man. Because of his decision Valjean and Cosette are forced to retreat to a convent where Cosette is raised. As she matures, Cosette is intrigued by the outside world and persuades Valjean to move into the city. While in her new environment Cosette falls in love with a revolution leader, Marius. With the threat of abandonment Valjean forbids the relationship from developing. A revolution is brewing in the backround of the story, causing character and plot shifts. As the story develops each character bestows their own twist on the plot. What interested me most in the novel was how each event revealed the struggles and irony of humanity.

Les Miserables is a masterpiece. That goes without saying.

But I must pause to disagree with Nicole Wood's 'description' of the story. Have you, Ms. Wood, ever even read the novel? Perhaps you read a 25 page children's tale resembling the story. Or possibly, you merely watched the movie.

I have recently read the entire, unabridged version of Les Miserables, and though I must admit it was a translated version, I have read the book by two different translators and therefore have been able to discern the differences between the two translations. I have also seen the popular movie, with Liam Neeson starring as the infamous Jean Valjean, and Uma Thurman depicting the doomed Fantine.

The events you describe in your review of the book, Ms. Wood, are inaccurate. They simply did not occur. They did, however, occur in the movie. Did you, then, merely watch the movie, and review the movie as one who would review a book? Or are you slightly confused as to the events that occurred in the movie, and those that occurred in the book?

Dear reader, I advise you to read the book for yourself, in its full, unabridged form, and untranslated if at all possible. I won't disclose what happens -- that is a part of the joy of reading, to not know what will happen next! But I will say that Victor Hugo is a master storyteller, and this is one of his books that proves it. I can not blame the movie for taking liberties -- how can a two hour movie describe the events and feelings that occur within a 1200 page book? But, I do ask, that if you have not actually read the book, please do not contrive to know and understand Hugo's storyline and the sparkling personalities that he has given to the characters in the book.

Only by actually reading the book, will you know and appreciate the true story of Les Miserables. I tell you now, that it is not the movie, just as it is not the book described in Ms. Wood's description. Read it for yourself, and find out exactly what it really is. It's worth it.

never before have i come across such an eclectic and engaging anthology writings about paris from an american perspective. not only does the editor cover different aspects of the parisian experience--love, food, living, tourism--but she does so from a variety of perspectives from thomas jefferson to langston hughes. i would definitely recommend this book to any american planning a trip to paris or anybody who is simply in a "paris state of mind."

In her book, Jennifer Lee, has collected a delightful anthology of American writers in Paris. The book is like a basket of delicious French pastries - all here for our taking. No avid reader will be able to pass this one up.

The Washington Post's Jonathan Yardley says "Paris in Mind is terrific in just about every respect." John Leonard of Harper's Magazine calls it an "engaging anthology" of notable Americans writing about the City of Light. Frank Prial in the New York Times imagines Josephine Baker singing 'I have two loves/My own country and Paris' as "the musical theme for this attractive book." PARIS IN MIND is a wonderful anthology for anyone who loves Paris.

If you are visiting Paris to go to museums, this is the book for you... otherwise, look elsewhere. There is very little information for travelers who just like to explore this wonderful city, i.e. neighborhood flavors, interesting shopping areas, and great restaurants.

I have now used this book on two trips to Paris including one I returned from last week (yes still using the 2002 version since I was spending most my time in Reims). The weather was remarkably good and I'll think of returning again this time of year since the city is not flooded with tourists. Rick makes alot of very good points - like be aware that even in February the line into the Orsay can be very long on Tuesdays since the Louvre is closed that day.

This is a very good general information book and it works well as a sole guide. If you have it and a good map (I got a very good and thin one from Amazon.com which I don't recall the name of) and you are pretty well set. Take a Green Michelin guide if you must for the museums as the info here is very general although good - especially for the Orsay and Versaille. I for one are puzzled over the comments from the one reviewer that the book was a museum guide Forget Rick's suggestion that traveller's checks are preferable to ATM's. ATM's are the way to go for sure since you have no transaction fees (I just got back and used them in several different cities in France and not once was I charged any fees), the exchange rate was very favorable, and you don't have to carry around traveler's checks.

Rick's hotel suggestions, at least in the Rue Cler area (which is an excellent place to stay) are dated in the 2002 version. He condemns the Hotel du Cadron as being overpriced yet it was the same rate as other hotels he recommends and the rooms were actually nicer in the Cadron. It is also on a quieter street. Just watch out for the elevator which was spotty in its performace. My feeling is that many of Rick's recommendations are based on his personal relationships with some of the recommendees which may or may not carry over to you.

All in all this is the best overall book I have looked at for Paris and I have and have seen many.

I used to live in Paris but I find I still need a guide book to get the most out of a visit there. I'm lucky enough to be going on a long visit to Paris this summer and I wouldn't think of taking along any guidebook other than Rick Steves'.

Rick Steves' guidebooks are always up-to-date and he writes in the friendly, down to earth manner that characterizes his extremely popular television program.

I found this book to be as great as all the other Rick Steves books I've been lucky enough to use. In it, Rick tells us the best places to eat and sleep. Not the most expensive; anyone could do that. Rick goes one step further and details the places that have the most charm and character, the places where we'll get the most for our money, the places that will help to make our visit one we'll remember fondly for the rest of our life.

Rick talks about the places no one should miss, but he also talks about the places almost everyone would miss...if they didn't have this book. I love discovering new, little, out-of-the-way shops, cafes and museums and Rick is the best there is when it comes to detailing places like this. I admit, I am an incurable shopaholic, and, in this book, Rick tells us the very best places to shop in Paris, one of the shopping capitals of the world.

I usually prefer to wander around a city or the countryside on my own, sans tour guide. In a huge city like Paris, one could easily get lost if he or she weren't armed with this book. One of the most invaluable and charming sections of the book, at least for me, details self-guided walking tours of Paris. Included are historic sections, the Champs-Elysees, the Marais district, the rue Cler and Montmartre, a favorite of mine.

Rick loves museums, like I do, and he certainly gives us our fill in this book. In it you'll find detailed information regarding the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Orangerie (my favorite), the Rodin, the Cluny and even Napoleon's Tomb and Les Invalides.

Sometimes we need to get away, even from a wonderful city like Paris. Rick has included a wealth of day trips one can easily make from Paris. Not only does he give us invaluable information regarding our destination, he also provides a wealth of great tips on getting there. Some of the day trips I'll be taking, with the help of this book, are to Versailles, Chartres (my first time there) and the place I have dreamed of visiting all my life, Monet's chateau and garden at Giverny.

I wouldn't travel anywhere in Europe without one of Rick Steves' informative and fun books, and I'm a continental European who's already done a lot of traveling. I've also missed a lot I wish I had seen. That won't happen anymore with the help of Rick Steves and his wonderful guidebooks.

If you're planning a trip to Paris, like I am, please don't go without this book. No matter how many times you've been to Paris before, and no matter how well you think you know the city, Rick can show you something new.

Rick Steves' guidebooks are the only guidebooks you'll ever need. They are certainly the very best. In my opinion, no one knows the "ins and outs" of traveling in Europe like Rick Steves.

I bought this book because of the section on Paris. I was very disappointed in the book because it was of little help. There is no map shown of where the bistros might be so there was no way of knowing where any were. The list of addresses didn't really help as Paris, unlike New York, is not laid out on a grid and the addresses actually give an idea of the location. Also, most of the bistros were the higher priced ones.

This guide for the neophyte bistrophile traveling in Paris is a "must have". Sightseeing planned around meals as the primary intent and location as secondary is our kind of trip. Brasserie Flo and Chez Louie are favorites. Buy some "Slimfast" for consumption one week before and one week after this trip. The NY Guide is just as helpful. We have never been disappointed with their recommendations. Bistro Les Amis on Spring Street is a favorite. Seasonal cuisine indoor or outdoor weather permitting.

"Best Bistros & Brasseries" is the best food-specific guide I have used. Long time residents of NYC and lovers of French food, my husband and I have often sifted through pages of other restaurant guides trying to locate the perfect restaurant in the right neighborhood. Flipping back and forth between the list of restuarants by neighborhood and/or cuisine and the index did not add to a pleasant dining experience! The BBB makes easy work of this often daunting task by organizing the restaurants in rank order by neighborhood. In addition, the book contains a true working index. If you know the name of the restaurant you'd like to visit, simply refer to the index which lists each restaurant featured in the book, its rating, address, and location in the guide for a more detailed review.

For lovers of great photography, one of the real gaps for a long time has been a monograph on this master of Euorpean street photography, whose images of Paris in the 30's in particular are among the greatest of their kind. Since the unfortuante deletion of the magnificent mid-80's reissue of PARIS BY NIGHT there has literally been nothing available except an over-priced paperback from Germany (I beleive) that has made its way to US museum bookshops and the like. What great news it was that Abrams, who are one of the best houses for this sort of thing, was publishing a major catalogue to accompany the travelling exhibit now at the National Gallery in Washington. The book was delayed several times earlier this year (no doubt to the chagrin of the museums the exhibit has already passed through) and has finally arrived in time for Christmas.

It is sad indeed to report that the book is a total disappointment- at least so far as the images themselves are concerned:

One: The source material and printing of the picutres are truly second-rate - without richness, luster, or dimension. Many look like photocopies from magazines or other books. They are oddly glossy but flat. Compare these to the incredible matte reproductions in PARIS BY NIGHT and the contrast between what can be done with with what is here is nearly heartbreaking.

Second: What is with the recent tendency to print photographs in an oversized, right-to-the-edges format with no sense of border or space to let the composition breathe and no sense of frame lines. The bleed-over simply kills the impact of many of these photogrpahs. It's a ruinous way to present great imagery. (It afflicts Abrams' new Bill Brandt book as well but to a lesser extent because the printing of that book is so much better.)

Third: There is very little that is new here. For such a major undertaking it comes across as a routine collection of well-known images, a greatest hits, that ends up delivering little emotional punch or insight into this great artist. Compare this to Abrams' own exhaustive works like Walker Evans: The Hungry Eye and you'll see what I mean.

With so many great photographers receiving deluxe treatment in the past few years from Abrams' W. Eugene Smith book last year to Bulfinch's Lartigue mongraph, it is a real shame that someone as seminal but poorly represented in print as Brassai should receive such a well-intentioned but unsatisfactory tribute. PLEASE BRING BACK PARIS BY NIGHT!

I am surprised that this book has gotten such mixed reviews here -- it is the definitive book on the subject. The essays are full of new information and elegantly presented. The design of the book, bleeds and all, remind me of the particular way Brassai made his books (which is why we care about Brassai today). The reproductions look like the original prints! The book is smart and real.

I saw this exhibition at the National Gallery of Art and bought the book. The exhibition blew me away and so did the book! It is the best exhibition book on photography I have seen. The print quality of the photographs is superb and the text is excellent. This book is a lesson in photography, political science, and sociology.

This early '70's caving guide did much to factionalize the colorado caving communtity. Parris' desire to print cave locations did much to contribute to cave vandalizim due to the lack of conservation content. Luckily, the poor maps and inacurate info helped save some caves.

This is an excellent caving book for the state of Colorado. I have met the author and he is very cool. He autographed my book. This is the best caving book I have seen for Colorado.

This book, despite its age, is still the most comprehensive reference for caving in Colorado. Every caver in Colorado drools over this book. Its maps are excellent, as are its descriptions and directions. Snag a copy if you can. Excellent book !

Many years ago I read the classic Chinese novel "Chin Ping Mei" in which overindulgence in sex, wine, and food occurs so regularly that by the end of the hundreds of pages, the reader is glutted and uninterested in more. This, people say, was the Buddhist message of the novel-that the sensual, material world is meaningless. MANON LESCAUT reminded me of that novel because the single moralizing theme-the wasted life of a talented young aristocrat who falls madly in love with a girl of dubious character-dominates so completely that nothing else really matters. The various characters, while potentially interesting, are never built up much, due to subordination to the moral lesson. No matter how many times the beautiful Manon betrays her impetuous lover, he forgives her and indulges in his passion more than ever. His father and friends despair. Jail, murder, betrayal, gambling, prostitution, and eventual exile are only some of the results this passion delivers. The denouement of the novel occurs in far-off New Orleans, about which, it seemed to me, the author had absolutely no idea. An opera was later written based on this minor classic of French literature. I could not say that it is a wonderful piece of writing, nor that many readers will thrill to its ups and downs. You can read it in a short while; it will hold your attention and you will have the satisfaction of being able to say you read it. But, at the end of the day, French literature offers a lot more than MANON LESCAUT.

The Abbe Prevost was the first translator of Richardson's novels in France, as well as a precursor of the Romantic movement. This tale was the inspiration for two famous operas (Massenet and Puccini) as well as a forerunner of many formulaic love stories that came after. One has to remember that this was written in the earlry part of the 18th Century, and there was not any formula before it, at least in terms of the heroine. Manon is the anti-heroine, the woman-in-red, the Eve that gives her partner over to the fates as a result of her easily-compromised sensibility.

She can't turn down her creature comforts, even when it means sacrificing her "true love," her Romeo, for an older, but more solvent, lover, in instance after instance.

Manon is one of the first unsympathetic heroines in literature (let's forget about Eve if we can) , a precursor of Emma Bovary in many respects. Let's also remember that she appears in during the , "golden age" of sentimental fiction in France and Europe generally (the ealry 1700s) . Women are depicted in this era as archetypically virtuous and angelic, or unambiguously sexual (thinking particularly of the late Restoration English stage). What we have in Manon is an amalgam, neither entirely saint, nor entirely sinner. She is the Madonna and the Magdaleine, part angel, part succubus, but an entirely new persona on the European literary stage. This is the reason that she had such an impression on the European artistic imagination. She represents a new dichotomy, a new figure that represents what Henry Adams would have suggested as a representation of the sacred and the profane, the mud and the cathedral.

Great book. The best of what French literature has to offer. A story of deceit, love, devotion and dedication.

without question the illustrations are fine. the problem is that this book cries out for photos---photos that do justice to each structure, whether historic or contemporary photos are used. poisson has fine sketches, but more is needed. And not only photos, but perhaps more historical background to the buildings.

This is, I believe, the most comprehensive one-volume catalogue of the notable buildings and quartiers of Paris. Some customer reviews criticise its lack of photos, but Poisson's elegant line drawings highlight the architectual character of his buildings and give the book a pleasantly personal touch. There are plenty of alternative books with photos. The Amazon.com review points out one disadvantage of the book. It is rather bulky in size and in weight--mainly as a result of its good-quality paper and its large quantities of white space. These features make it very pleasant to peruse, but not very practical as a guide book. It is best used as a review of one's past on-the-spot experiences or as a planner for future ones. The other weakness is that the text is very scanty. Most buildings are treated in only a sentence or two. The comments are always judicious, but one would like more.

Paris Buildings and Monuments is the superb achievement of Michel Poisson, a Paris architect. He made more than 850 drawings showing more than 500 well-chosen buildings. These drawings show everything that you need to know to decide whether to visit one of these buildings. Many of the drawings are front elevations. Some are floor plans. Others are three-quarter views. Still others are bird's-eye views.

Thanks to his carefully thought out design, the author makes it easy for you to find any of these building. First, he has organized the books to follow Paris's system of arrondissements. The book begins with the 1st Arrondisesment and continues, arrondissement by arrondissement, through the 20th Arrondissement.

There's an excellent, handdrawn map for each arrondissement, showing the exact location of each building described in the text. Also, there are smaller maps of neigborhoods within arrondissements, as well as bird's-eye views of larger building complexes such as the Louvre.

There is ample text describing each building, including the name of the architect who designed it and the name of the patron who paid for its construction.

The author shows the location of the Metro station nearest each building and makes it very easy for you to reach each building.

Other reviews had given me high expectations about this book, regarding both the plot of the story and the literary qualities of the novel. I was disappointed on both counts. The plot is commonplace from the humdrum beginning to the highly predictable end. The characters --especially the French ones-- adhere regrettably faithfully to the stereotypes of American literature. The author has an undeniable talent for writing about sex, but indulges in it to the point of making the rest of the story appear like a pretext for doing just that. And, as a social critique, the book barely matches "the Bonfire of the Vanities", itself hardly a gem of modern literature. The supposed moral conflict that afflicts the lead character is a joke, as he clearly does not have any deep feelings for his mistress and their relationship boils down to lust, at least on his side. An elegant style, occasionally perceptive passages about some universal difficulties of "grown-up life" and a handful of smart literary tricks unfortunately do not add up to a great book. The author's talent is not in doubt, but he did not put enough effort into this book to make it a noteworthy addition to the heritage of literature on adultery and related moral conflicts.

Louis Begley's latest novel, SHIPWRECK, is a tour de force that captures the madness of a high-profile author caught in a torrid affair with another woman.

John North, Begley's protagonist in SHIPWRECK, seems to have it all. He has just been awarded one of literature's top prizes and he has an adoring wife. For the most part, North is living the American dream --- that is until one day in Paris when he begins to question the value of his work while waiting for a writer from Vogue magazine.

Lea, the young journalist, is immediately starstruck with North's presence and decides he must become another addition to her long list of conquests. Meanwhile North, who is old enough to be Lea's father, is completely smitten with the leggy French vixen and sparks begin to fly.

While it appears that North narrates SHIPWRECK while downing shot after shot of whiskey inside a mysterious Parisian café with another person, it doesn't take too long for the reader to realize that North is actually alone. Ultimately Begley, author of the highly acclaimed novel ABOUT SCHMIDT, allows the reader to decide whether or not North is talking to himself --- and that's the brilliance of this mesmerizing story.

Begley does a wonderful job portraying North's wife Lydia as the ultimate victim of his extramarital activities. North cheats on his wife throughout the novel with Lea, but he doesn't deny for a second that his adulterous behavior is wrong. Even while North enjoys the numerous trysts with Lea, he never stops thinking about his wife and realizes from the onset of the affair that he's headed for troubled waters.

Not only is North grappling with the realization that he's in over his head with the affair, he is also constantly questioning the value of his literary career. In some respects, SHIPWRECK is about more than just an acclaimed author dealing with an obsessed sexpot.

Begley delves into the issue of adultery --- how the French view it as compared to American social values. North also is dealing with a bout of alcoholism throughout the book, although his overindulgence with the bottle is again presented as an afterthought in an effort not to stray the reader from the true essence of the novel. But here again, Begley's brilliance as a writer is apparent as he illustrates to the reader that North uses alcohol frequently as medication.

In addition to the social ramifications, SHIPWRECK is also steamy and suspenseful. You can picture SHIPWRECK as a film, equipped with a star-studded cast similar to About Schmidt.

--- Reviewed by David Exum

Begley brings you into his world once again but, this time he is lewd....never crude always witty... this tale will hold your attention and leave you wondering how many characters such as the main one in this book truely exist...I know that I know at least 2!!