In this luminous portrait of Paris, celebrated historian Alistair Horne gives us the history, culture, disasters, and triumphs of one of the world&...
read full description
reviews
Feb 04, 2012
John
rated it: 
This book is a real mediocrity. I'm living in Paris for a few months, so it seemed only reasonable to read a book that is a "history of Paris." Well, this isn't it. What this is, is a history of political events in France, and the impact of those events on the rulers of Paris, and, to some extent, the ordinary middle-class and poor. You learn very little of the changes in the governmental structure, the organization of the food supply, the periods of architectural change -- isn't that
More...
Apr 12, 2010
Frank
rated it: 
Somehow Horne manages to write an entire history of France by telling the entire history of Paris without being pedantic or stodgy. It's an amazing accomplishment from a journalist with no formal historical training.
As Horne himself says it was probably necessary to combine the history of the country with the city, because in France, government, business, and culture have been centralized in its capital city as in no other Western country. Ever since Philippe Auguste in the early 1 More...
As Horne himself says it was probably necessary to combine the history of the country with the city, because in France, government, business, and culture have been centralized in its capital city as in no other Western country. Ever since Philippe Auguste in the early 1 More...
Dec 28, 2008
Mark
rated it: 
"I enjoyed this book. However, there were portions of it that were much easier to get through than others. I was somewhat familiar with the periods of Louis X through Louis XVI and I found I was much more involved in the book during these ""ages."" However, when they got to the World War I and World War II and post World War II I found it more difficult to keep up. The Vichy/Petain characters were a bit of a muddle for me reading. This is not to say that I didn't en
More...
Jan 21, 2012
Kate
rated it:
Meh.
If you're looking for a history of Paris, I wonder if perhaps one would just do better getting one of the excellent books on the history of France. This book is an aging British scholar's love letter to Paris - and it read that way.
My pre-modern knowledge of Paris is weak, so I enjoyed that part of the book more.
However, my recent history is fairly good, and there the book really failed. There were a few too many throw-away descriptive adjectives - the Pompido More...
If you're looking for a history of Paris, I wonder if perhaps one would just do better getting one of the excellent books on the history of France. This book is an aging British scholar's love letter to Paris - and it read that way.
My pre-modern knowledge of Paris is weak, so I enjoyed that part of the book more.
However, my recent history is fairly good, and there the book really failed. There were a few too many throw-away descriptive adjectives - the Pompido More...
Jul 17, 2009
Barbie
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's very dense with information on how the omnipresent relationships between Paris, her rulers, her people and her country at large has formed her over her long history, but is written in a very easy flowing, conversational way. Allistair Horne is a master of descriptive language and transitions, but the book is not burdened with fancy language for its own sake.
Horne is a Francophile, and writes lovingly of the storied, often tempestuous history of Pa More...
Horne is a Francophile, and writes lovingly of the storied, often tempestuous history of Pa More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 16, 2010
Nathan
rated it: 
A slog, all the way through. Horne's organization of Paris's history into seven ages is neat, if rather arbitrary, and it highlights the tumult that characterizes the city. If his orgnization is clear, however, that's about all that's clear in this rambling tome. Fact, fact, fact, character, character, date, uprising, some more facts and dates; there is no narrative guidance to speak of. One gropes and stumbles through this book more than reads it.
Adding to the obfuscation is Horne's a More...
Adding to the obfuscation is Horne's a More...
Apr 29, 2010
Margaret
rated it: 
I paired this book with dozens of walks around Paris, a few visits to Musée Carnavalet, and I took it with me to a number of the monuments whose histories its author, Alistair Horne, describes in such rich and plentiful detail. Reading this book actually in Paris is, I think (not surprisingly) absolutely the best way to read it.
For me, some parts of this book moved more easily and more vivaciously than others, and I'm not sure whether this was due to the writing or to the history it More...
For me, some parts of this book moved more easily and more vivaciously than others, and I'm not sure whether this was due to the writing or to the history it More...
Aug 31, 2011
Christoph
rated it:
Lets make this a 1.5 stars or 3 out of 10. I am so close to giving this book 1 star; it is extremely disappointing. I have had this book sitting on my shelf for years now and I see why I have never read it. You would expect a book entitled the Seven Ages of Paris to be a history of the interminable city; alas, all we get in this tired narrative is a history of the "Seven Ages" which are a completely contrived device to make the story somewhat more readable. Further, according to Mr.
More...
Jun 01, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
Themes: civilization, war, government, religion, politics, city development, art, architecture, royalty
Setting: Paris, France from before 1000 AD to 1968
The author starts by saying that every city is like a person, and Paris is definitely a woman. Like any fascinating woman, she is changeable and captivating. I'm not entirely sure this conceit works, but it's not a bad way to start off the book.
Here's what works: I could certainly feel the amount of research t More...
Setting: Paris, France from before 1000 AD to 1968
The author starts by saying that every city is like a person, and Paris is definitely a woman. Like any fascinating woman, she is changeable and captivating. I'm not entirely sure this conceit works, but it's not a bad way to start off the book.
Here's what works: I could certainly feel the amount of research t More...
Mar 23, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
This is a fascinating history of the city of Paris, from its origins as a Roman stronghold to the Cold War 1960s. It's a bit slow to read at first, but easier to sink into eventually as the author turns his historical eye toward more modern events (i.e., after the 1789 Revolution).
As the epigraph for Chapter 18 says, "Paris is a bitch... one should not become infatuated with bitches, particularly when they have wit, imagination, experience and tradition behind their ruthlessnes More...
As the epigraph for Chapter 18 says, "Paris is a bitch... one should not become infatuated with bitches, particularly when they have wit, imagination, experience and tradition behind their ruthlessnes More...
Jul 14, 2011
Elissa
rated it:
An excellent history that covers Paris from the Romans to Mitterand. Not so much detail on the early stuff (the material covered in The Distant Mirror was dispatched in 3 pages). Horne didn't waste much time on the fall of Louis XVI either, which I appreciated, because I've been over that territory before. But it filled in a lot of missing holes for me in the story of Paris. Those Parisians are always up for a revolution! Did you know that the Parisians never got their sewers under control until
More...
Jul 06, 2011
Jolene
rated it:
I didn't get very far into this, it put me to sleep four nights in a row before I set it aside as a lost cause.
If you enjoy dry historical texts where every sentence offers a new name, date or other piece of information so the reader is buried under an avalanche of facts, this is the book for you. It's possible to relate history in an entertaining fashion so the reader doesn't feel he or she is studying for a midterm but in this Alistair Horne sadly fails.
I'm sorely disappoi More...
If you enjoy dry historical texts where every sentence offers a new name, date or other piece of information so the reader is buried under an avalanche of facts, this is the book for you. It's possible to relate history in an entertaining fashion so the reader doesn't feel he or she is studying for a midterm but in this Alistair Horne sadly fails.
I'm sorely disappoi More...
Sep 16, 2010
Nadine
rated it:
After Horne's disastrous "La Belle France", I was bit weary about this book, but the reviews pointed to otherwise. Other than Horne's annoying habit of comparing past events to future ones (this diminishes as he get to the Napoleonic era but he still manages to do this when speaking about world war II), this was much better. It also increased my interest to read up more on France during the occupation. I'd read this again.
Feb 18, 2011
Karen
rated it:
I learned a lot, but I feel like I needed to have more of a background (actually any kind of background) in French history to get more from it. That's not a fair criticism of the book, of course. The rating just reflects my experience with it. Horne packs a lot in -- he obviously knows his stuff. He had to keep his discussions brief or the book would have been way too long. Anyway, it was engaging, and it whetted my appetite, and I'm plunging ahead into more about France.
Jun 23, 2010
Toni
rated it:
Amazing and fascinating book! I just got back from a vacation in Paris and I tried reading this book before I went and could not get into it at all. Well, after visiting Paris and seeing all the sights I became so interested in reading about the history of everything I had seen. This book is not an easy read by any means but if you have traveled to Paris and enjoy history this book is great.
Jun 12, 2010
Alex
rated it:
This book is sick. It amounts to a history of France, but Horne stays focused on the real Paris, as it was and as it is, in a wonderful way, while providing awesome insight into the character of Parisians and of France in general. It's an awesome book.
I was reminded of fellow Goodreader F1Wild, who doesn't like military history. I don't either, so I was psyched that Horne breezes by military affairs, while giving much more shrift to art, literature. architecture, fashion, and the More...
I was reminded of fellow Goodreader F1Wild, who doesn't like military history. I don't either, so I was psyched that Horne breezes by military affairs, while giving much more shrift to art, literature. architecture, fashion, and the More...
4 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 17, 2008
Sylvia
rated it:
History of Paris from ancient times to present. Its taken me a few years to read this book. I did not think I would be interested to read about 20th century events, but each successive chapter continued to hold my interest, as the time periods progressed. Lots of interesting details to supplement the political and economic events that created Paris. Learned who all the streets are named after, how the city was built, sorted out who's buried at Pere LaChaise, all the kings and republics, and t
More...
Mar 26, 2011
Maureen
rated it:
Wonderful short course in Parisian history from the Romans to De Gaulle. Horne moves fast through the most famous periods -- the Revolution, the Terror, Napoleon -- to spend time on lesser-known times like the occupation. A great introduction into France's place in history, and why they think they're special. They are.
Jan 11, 2010
John
rated it:
A good read if you are a fan of Paris...Allistair Horne gives you a colorful description of the many characters that ruled Paris at one point. This is almost written like an historical novel, giving a bit of life and personality to the characters.
Aug 26, 2009
The writing is so good I notice my toes are curling up while I read. I think this physical manifestation is a the result of pure envy; for Horne's astonishingly interesting lifetime spent in the pursuit of historical knowledge, for his unfailing wit, and for the joy I find in his composition.
Aug 02, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
This book is well written, and provide a great overview of the history of one of my favourite cities. Paris has a rather complex history, and having learned more about it, I feel I understand the city more. I still love it despite that knowledge ;-). I find the book is really meant for someone who already knows quite a bit of the history as this book glosses over some of the more important bits (like the French revolution, for example). I was also a lot more interested in the pre-Roman and medie
More...
Feb 09, 2011
James
rated it:
I read this as background for my class on the literature of Paris. It is an excellent overview of the history and culture of the city. Covering the history from the foundation of the city the author blends the cultural development with history. The impact of art from the Renaissance to the age of Impressionism that ushered in the twentieth century helped offset the intermittent devastation of war and revolution. Over the centuries is was home to Peace conferences and Art exhibits. Nearest to
More...
Feb 14, 2010
Shawna
rated it:
This history of Paris was filled with fascinating information. Once again I learned so much. Parisians seem fickle - unable to decide how they want to be governed and by what rules they want to live.
May 05, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
I read this as research for my novel, My Phantom: The Memoir of Christine Daaé.A survey of the history of the place. Paris has been a fascinating place in every age.
Oct 24, 2008
Dayna
rated it:
I read this after reading Marie Antoinette and John Adams - I wanted to find out more about what was going on in France during the late 1700s.
This is a little dry at times, but when the author gets going on the back stories, it's great.
There is a lot of detail on the architecture and history of buildings in France, which I wasn't really interested in, but got lots of ideas for biographies and detail that I would like to explore in more detail. I already bought a book on More...
This is a little dry at times, but when the author gets going on the back stories, it's great.
There is a lot of detail on the architecture and history of buildings in France, which I wasn't really interested in, but got lots of ideas for biographies and detail that I would like to explore in more detail. I already bought a book on More...
Aug 01, 2009
From Washington Post Book World, 24 Apr 05: "... a commanding historical narrative... distinctive use of the English language..."
Dec 23, 2008
Avis
rated it:
I generally like Horne's books but this is one of the most intellectually lightweight volumes he's ever produced.
Oct 24, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
This was a beautifully written book! My only complaint (if you could call it that) is that one definitely needs a general background of history (especially during the World Wars, I found) in order to understand it completely. Regardless, the author successfully describes Paris throughout the ages, keeping it interesting and flowing well. Definitely recommend to anyone wanting to get an overview of the most important aspects of Parisian history.
Jan 18, 2008
Laurie
rated it:
I traveled through France and Paris this past Summer (2007). I wish I had read this before going, but am glad I did so now! In fact, it just reaffirmed my desire to get back to Paris in the near future. What a fascinating city!
My only complaint -- some quotes are translated in English, some are left in the original French. ALthough French is a BEAUTIFUL language, this is a book written in English (originally, not a translation). For those who have no or very little French-languag More...
My only complaint -- some quotes are translated in English, some are left in the original French. ALthough French is a BEAUTIFUL language, this is a book written in English (originally, not a translation). For those who have no or very little French-languag More...
Oct 25, 2009
Michael
rated it:
Alistair Hornes' best. A lovely and substantive tour of Paris, La Ville par excellence!
