Access Paris [Paperback]

Richard Saul Wurman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Access Guides | Publication Date: June 18, 2002

"If we had to choose one small, sleek, fleet, glitzy guide, we'd give our guest Access...it's smart, fast, fun to use...After the guests go, you'll use it, too" A city that thrives on a love of grace, beauty and fine living, Paris continues to evolve into one of Europe's finest and most modern cities, even as it retains its remarkable history and ancient mystery. ACCESS PARIS brings to life this city's myriad charms, and allows the traveller to truly discover and know this artistic and cultural capital of a unified Europe.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best guidebook series around...a breeze to use" New York Times

About the Author

With the publication of his first book in 1962 at the age of 26, Richard Saul Wurman began the singular passion of his life: that of making information understandable. A holder of both M. Arch. & B. Arch. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, he has been awarded several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Guggenheim Fellowship, two Graham Fellowships & two Chandler Fellowships. In 1991, Richard Saul Wurman received the Kevin Lynch Award from MIT for his creation of the ACCESS travel guides. In 1994, he was named a Fellow of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland & awarded a Doctorate of Fine Arts by the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. In 1995, he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Art Center College of Design & was Chairman of Graphic Design & Product/Industrial Design of the1995 Presidential Design Awards.

Richard Saul Wurman continues to be a regular consultant to major corporations in matters relating to the design & understanding of information. He is married to novelist Gloria Nagy, has 4 children & lives in Newport, Rhode Island.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Access Pr; 8th edition (June 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060938358
• ISBN-13: 978-0060938352
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,453,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Paris guide ever!, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Access Paris, 6th Edition (Access Guides) (Paperback)

I have used the Access guide to Paris since 1994, when it still had the old 3D detail maps with individual buildings. The maps make it easy to find whatever it is you're looking for. The arrangement by area also makes perfect sense, and the color coding a life saver. Drawings of logos are helpful when you're looking for something. All in all, an excellent guide and recommended for anyone traveling to Paris. Also check out other Access guides since they're in the same format.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most useful of guides, June 10, 2000

By 

Karen (Manhattan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Access Paris 7e (Access Paris, 7th ed) (Paperback)

This book is great for planning and dreaming, but it's an absolute must-have when you're THERE. I love this (and all the Access guides I've used) more than any other books I've tried to use in European cities, and not merely because their first-rate graphic design is clean and modern and their reviews are extremely reliable. The true test of their quality is this: they're lightweight, compact, and extremely easy to use when you're walking around the city. The map/number system works beautifully, not just to help you find particular things, but to use for landmarking when you're starting to feel a little lost. Another very helpful feature are the lists of "favorite places" and "things-to-do" lists of local frequent visitors to this most beautiful but complex of cities. The lists lead you to the coolest restaurants, sights, and those out-of-the-way places that make you feel less a tourist and more a traveler.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Paris guidebook, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Access Paris, 6th Edition (Access Guides) (Paperback)

This is the book my wife and I always (and still) carry around with us when strolling in Paris (discreetly tucked into an overcoat pocket, of course). I think the best way to use it is to skim it repeatedly before going, and hi-liting or placing post-its on places that sound worth visiting. Then, once at the given locale, Access tells you what else is interesting in that neighborhood.

I've heard criticisms of this book to the effect that it doesn't categorize restaurants, hotels, and the like. It isn't that type of guide. What it does best is truly point out the best of each neighborhood, and provide historical background as well.

One other note: previous editions have far better maps than the newest edition. I beg Access to return to the beautiful detailed maps and abandon the more generic maps in the current edition.