First Class: Legendary Train Journeys Around the World [Hardcover]

Patrick Poivre d'Arvor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2007

This enchanting book, which comes with a slipcase designed to resemble a steamer trunk, takes readers on memorable journeys on the Orient Express, le Train Bleu, the California Zephyr, and others across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Readers encounter the elegant porters and bellboys as well as the beautifully dressed millionaires, kings, and maharajas who were their clients.

The great old and new trains are all here, and a reader can feel the gentle sway and anticipate the delicious dinner about to be served in a plush and paneled dining car. There are maps showing the routes of the great expresses, quotations from famous literary figures, and images of some of the beautiful destinations they reached. This is a perfect gift for train buffs and world travelers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patrick Poivre d’Arvor is the anchor of the most widely watched television news program in France. He has also written numerous books including France From the Air and has produced and anchored several television programs covering literary and political subjects. Poivre d’Arvor lives in Paris.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Vendome Press (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865651884
• ISBN-13: 978-0865651883
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly elegant book showcasing eleven fabled railroad lines, October 6, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Class: Legendary Train Journeys Around the World (Hardcover)

"First Class: Legendary Train Journeys Around The World" by Patrick Poivre d'Arvor is a truly elegant book showcasing eleven fabled railroad lines during the golden age of train travel around the world. Featured among these iconic railroads are the Toy Train of Darjeeling and its route along the Himalayan mountains; the fabled Orient Express; the mimosa-scented Train Blue, and the now legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. The informed and informative text is liberally enhanced with the inclusion of historic and contemporary photographs (245 in full-color and 30 in black-and-white) and artifacts, maps, and quotations about these railroads taken from the literature of the world. Superbly organized and featuring its own slipcased box in the form of a steamer trunk, "First Class" is especially recommended to the attention of railroad history buffs.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm so glad I found this book!, December 25, 2008

By 

D. Magness ""Go Steelers!"" ((Pittsburgh, PA, USA)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Class: Legendary Train Journeys Around the World (Hardcover)

I, along with a close friend, LOVE train rides...all over the world. I was searching for "the" Christmas gift this year, and after doing some homework, I discovered First Class. What a lovely, impressive book that truly celebrates all the obvious and subtle aspects of train rides. The photos were amazing, and I especially loved the maps that introduced each of the legendary trips. I have only taken one of these trips, so this Christmas, I received extra incentive to eagerly start planning ten more! I'm appreciative of an author whose love and passion in the topic so clearly comes through. A great editorial and photographic discovery! After opening it, my friend spent 15 minutes leafing through, just amazed at how enjoyable this book will be to explore, read and enjoy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars - a very worthy journey, December 19, 2009

By 

hh "hh01" (West Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Class: Legendary Train Journeys Around the World (Hardcover)

This book is fine armchair traveling. There are brief descriptions of each well-known rail journey and then pages of pics to thrill and tweak the imagination. Don't rush through the volume just because you can. Read each section, then let your mind wander and see what surprising and exciting ideas come forth. Reinvent yourself as a modern globetrotter or turn-of-the-century explorer. All good. The only disappointment I had was that the emphasis was on historical pics. Certainly, the project was expensive (given the number of color pics and elegant slipcover), but perhaps the answer would have been to make this a two volume set. More space could have been given to each journey. I can't imagine that anyone who picked up volume one wouldn't quickly grab the second volume as well. Still, it's a great escape and worth every minute that you're "gone."