Customer Reviews

Walks Through Marie Antoinette's Paris

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although I am an enthusiastic fan of Diana Reid Haig's Walks Through Napoleon and Josephine's Paris, her new book is an even more engrossing blend of education and entertainment.
The book follows Marie Antoinette from her time as a naive, spoiled fourteen year old arriving at the court of Louis XV to her dazzling rise as the beloved Dauphine and, finally, to her tragic and lonely end.

The book contains fascinating pictures that give a glimpse of life in the Queen's rarified world; however, Haig also uses the text to create her portrait of the Queen. She presents a balanced account of Marie Antoinette's life, pointing out her vast expenditures and questionable decisions, but also helping the reader to understand the possible reasoning and motives behind such behavior.

This book is wonderful not just because of its mesmerizing subject, but also because Haig is quite simply, a brilliant writer. Her depth of knowledge and attention to detail bring history alive for the reader. I did not want to put the book down, even though I knew how it would end.

Walks Through Marie Antoinette's Paris, like her book on Napoleon and Josephine, includes walking tours and specific information on places to visit. In addition to being a great read on its own, travelers can use Haig's book as a guide when exploring Paris and its environs. Her tips and suggestions are invaluable to anyone wanting to learn more and to see with their own eyes some of the marvels Haig writes about so well.

Arriving on the eve of Sofia Coppola's film about Marie Antoinette is Ms. Haig's gorgeous book, packed with facts, sidebars, and many of the author's own collection of illustrations. Beginning with her introduction to the French court outside Versailles, Marie Antoinette's ascent to fame and fast fall is documented by Ms. Haig in a style that is both objective and yet with a clear affection for her subject matter.

With this pocket-size gem in hand, trace the young queen's first visit to Paris. As with her previous book on Napoleon and Josephine, Ms. Haig is a welcomed companion as you trace Marie Antoinette's footsteps, pointing out details and ancedotes overlooked by more traditional tour books. Her eye for detail makes incidents come vividly to life, such as the invasion of Versailles and the Queen's brave curtesy on the balcony before an incensed mob.

A warning though: don't even open this book with travel plans in mind. A trip to Paris and its environs will be irrestible after reading this wonderful book.

When i had first seen the book walks through Napolean and Josephine's Paris i immediately looked to see if there was one about Marie Antoinette. Alas there hadn't been one printed yet but i was informed that one was in fact in the making. I was very excited and preordered mine immediately. When it arrived i immediately read it cover to cover and was very inpressed by the wealth of knowledge contained n the little book. It even includes the addresses of several shops and bakeries that catered to the French Court including M. Bertin's studio where she constructed much of MA's lavish couture. This book is a little gem and i cannot wait to use it when i visit Paris.

What a treasure this book is. Not only does it have pictures that I haven't seen anywhere else, the information is a history enthusiasts treat!
The size of the book, which adds to it's charm, is suitable to take with you as it guides you along in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette.

I simply loved it

and to everyone who wants a different historic tour through Paris...

This book is over one hundred pages long, but only about ten pages are actually devoted to the book's title!
There are only two uneventful walks through Paris, the first one being only just slightly more interesting.

The maps provided are extremely poor, and the extra information provided by the author is nothing you could not obtain from a good guide book, or from the internet.
It is certainly not worth paying the price for the information in this book!

The majority of the book talks about various residences associated with Marie Antoinette in her lifetime, coupled with a terribly written account about the ill-fated Queen. The author seems to have really forgotten about her title!

DO NOT be fooled by the other five star reviews! This book is definetly misguided, and what it does contain has been said before.

Just a great book. If you're considering buying this you already know the story, so I will simply say that we took this book along on our family's trip to Paris and had a great time walking through the city as Marie Antoinette's story came alive.