"7 Ages of Paris" for those interested in a history of Paris

I have not read "Seven Ages" but really enjoyed David McCoullough's "The Greater Journey-- Americans in Paris" (story of American artists, writers, statesman and doctors who traveled to Paris, fell in love with the city and its people, and changed America through what they learned) all 17 CD's on tape on a road trip.
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Renee, thanks for the tip on that book, that might be my next Kindle book.

Another vote for " The Greater Journey - Americans in Paris " . I read it in 2011 , when it came out , just before our first trip to France . Of special note is the section pertaining to the sculptor Augustus Saint - Gaudens . I have heard David McCullough speak a number of times , and his talks always emphasize the importance of actually visiting the places one reads about , so they come alive with a personal impact .

I think I read "Seven Ages" some years ago and liked it, but it may have been something else by Horne. (Duh...?)

I started the McCullough but just couldn't get into it, maybe I wasn't interested enough in those artists. I love his other books on Truman, Adams, Panama Canal, et al.

Thanks, Kent, for putting me onto "Postwar." I'm working through the early chapters but realizing that I'll have to buy it for Kindle because the library will never let me keep it long enough to finish! (Duh....again.) But it's fascinating and helps me understand the times I've lived through. (Wrong thread, I know.....duh.) ;-)

Dick,
We both have to keep at it, Postwar is 878 pages (in hard copy).
Seven Ages is only 457 pages. So I am switching between the two. I'll get it done.
You hang in there too.
What's motivating me is I'm going to be spending some time in Paris, in about 6 weeks, and I want to have a better understanding of what I'm looking at.
Except, that is, when I'm having vin, pain and fromage--then I won't need any deep historical understanding.

I am not familiar with "Seven Ages" but definitely know of Alistair Horne, where I say that anything he writes is good, balanced, competent, and enlightening. I've read some of his other works. His works on WW 1 and 2, (both dealing with France) and Napoleon are superb works of research and erudition.

Fred,
Exactly so!
Regards,
Kent

Kent – Have not readed yet, but seen your remark in the other thread must be certainly worth to read. Thank you for bringing to attention. However can only find his "Seven Ages of Paris" or is there likely a "France" version too I overlook?

Kent, I think you're referring to Horne's book Seven Ages of Paris, which I read about 10 years ago before we spent 3 weeks in Paris; I loved it! I can't seem to find my copy right now to give you specifics, but I found it very readable and it made the trip much more interesting. I also really enjoyed McCullough's The Greater Journey, which others have recommended above. And I've used Ina Caro's The Road from the Past to plan a couple of trips - one last fall to the Loire and a second in 2013 to visit Roman sights in Provence/Languedoc. She's also written Paris to the Past for day trips from Paris; haven't read that one yet.

And thanks to all the comments on the other thread I have ordered Postwar, to read before my next trip. I retire in about 10 days [hurray] so I will have lots more time for both reading and travelling, right? At least I hope so.

Wil & Kathleen,
You're correct, it's "Seven Ages of Paris."
Thanks for the correction.
Regards,
Kent

Kent, I have "A Traveller's History of Paris" by Robert Cole, who teaches European history at Utah State Univ. I read it before my last trip there and found it very helpful and readable. There are appendices about various historically important sites/sights, a chronology, and an index. Might be useful to take along, preferably in electronic format, to help provide context as you see different places. He also wrote "A Traveller's History of France" in the same series but I haven't read.

Still working through the Judt, onward and upward! :-)

Hi Kent, It sounds like I will just miss you. I leave Paris on May 2.

In the meantime I've scanned through a couple of chapters in "Seven Ages..." (on Napoleon and WW II). Definitely well worth one's time, typically Alistair Horne...lucid, competent, balanced, a good piece of historical research, readable.

Dick,
"A Traveller's History of Paris" sounds like my kind of book. I'm getting it. Thanks for the tip!

Chani,

"Hi Kent, It sounds like I will just miss you. I leave Paris on May
2."

Yes, just.
:-(

Fred,
Yes, he makes the subject matter readable, doesn't he.

I'm reading Seven Ages now. Great book.