Paris

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Explore behind the over-familiar facade of the world's most visited city. In this book, Paris-based writer and Invisible Paris blogger, Adam Roberts, provides a concise and informative portrait of the iconic metropolis. He uncovers the story of how a provincial backwater rose up to become the richest and most powerful city in Europe, and a world leader in fashion, the arts, and gastronomy and why it continues to dazzle today.

In short, illustrated chapters, Roberts casts his eye over 2,000 years of turbulent history, from a time when roaming Celtic tribes first set up camp to the present day: he covers the rise and fall of royalty, uprisings and invasions, destruction and magnificent redevelopments, and he explores the city's contributions to the world, including gothic architecture, city planning, mammoth museums and urban art. A section on the city today perceptive essays and observations on topics ranging from Parisian Sundays to the inside workings of a historic hotel reveal the twenty-first-century city of Paris.

Reviews

The Paris within Adam Roberts Paris combines the intellect with the emotional and does so in a style that is both engaging and alluring. The rich history that belongs to the city stone by stone, bridge by bridge, ruler by ruler, era by era comes alive within these pages, giving vast meaning to each step and to each breath taken by todays visitor. In the end, one is left with an historical and a present moveable feast. * Robert Wheeler, author of Hemingways Paris: A Writers City in Words and Images *

Author Bio

Adam Roberts is a freelance writer and creator of the influential Invisible Paris blog, which has shown readers both local and visiting around an alternative Paris since 2008. His observations have featured in The Guardian, CNN and a variety of French magazines. He lives in Paris.