This is an intriguing premise--visits, chronologically arranged, to major sites of French history via the Metro or TVG, with vivid anecdotes and sometimes hilarious commentary on how the tour guide spiel has changed over time (the pre and post feminism Catherine d'Medici, for example). The middle section, in which the fortresses of the 100 Years' War transform into Renaissance fortresses for gunpowder and then chateau protected by a powerful centralized state is the most significant. However, the tone is infuriating--Ina Caro has degrees in history in her own right, and was a significant researcher for all of her husband's career oeuvre on LBJ, but constantly self-depreciates and wander off into what Bob thought of the slow service in the restaurant or how she has no sense of direction and has to take Bob everywhere.