Around and About Paris, Vol. 2: From the Guillotine to the Bastille Opera: The 8th-12th Arrondissements (Paperback)

by Thirza Vallois (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Vallois, a 30-year resident of Paris, has written three wonderful volumes about her favorite city. She has spent seven of those years walking down every one of its streets, reading every available book written about it, interviewing old-timers, and then compiling all her research into these three extraordinary books. As each chapter unfolds, the reader walks with Vallois district by district along the streets of Paris, sharing in the art, literature, music, history, politics, science, religion, economics, entertainment, crime, passion, and local color of each unique arrondissement. The scenery changes from the past to the present, bringing Paris alive with tales from lifelong residents. Vallois's in-depth knowledge of the city and her acute attention to detail, delivered with fast-moving style, will be intriguing for both travelers and scholars. Recommended for larger libraries.AStephanie Papa, Baltimore Cty. Circuit Court Law Lib., Towson, MD
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Illiad Press; Revised edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0952537834
• ISBN-13: 978-0952537830
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #744,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs Vallois is a queen - Feel as her invitee in Paris, September 15, 2000

By	www.delalonde.com (Chateau-Bois-Briand, Nantes,Loire-Valley,France) - See all my reviews

Because Mrs Vallois has a love affair with Paris; because she devoted part of her life to this "cause", she is totally convincing. When you read her descriptions of hidden details on houses nobody noticed before, you understand that Mrs Vallois deserves the right to consider herself as co-owner of "the spirit of Paris". Because this "spirit" is something that was invented by the French to be shared with others, feel free to become a "courtisan". Mrs Vallois books are well documented (no need to say). It's like reading an architectural manual plus an history encyclopedia. All this while walking in charming places. I hope the next books will keep this knowledge embedded in a living style and that Thirza will add more illustrations. Buy this book. It will never look old-fashioned!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite simply the best, October 30, 2007

By	Part-time Parisienne - See all my reviews

As someone who has haunted Paris for decades, I can say that there is no more wonderful companion than Thirza Vallois. Her three volumes of Around and About Paris, covering every arrondissement with both erudition and joy, are almost as deep and rich and rewarding as the city itself. They are to be carried about for consulting on foot, and read in your armchair for pleasure and information you will not find in the run-of-the-mill "guide." These books are for explorers and dreamers, scholars and lovers. If you want to know Paris, you can not do better.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About the Bastille ..., June 4, 2007

By	TundraVision (o/~ from the Land of Sky Blue Waters o/~) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Great book!
and now,
Gentle Readers:

You may have noticed that Amazon made some changes to its website. For more information, view that tube place at /watch?v=PvLilHUaDic.

From June 11 - June 17, I, like many other reviewers on Amazon, did not post any reviews and did not make any purchases. This was the only means we have of showing Amazon how much we detest the new reviews format and the overloaded and confusing product pages.
Amazon revised the product pages (if one looked very, very closely) to allow public input re the redesign. Now I am told, although I do not yet see it, that the "improvements" are being scaled back to a more palatable, user/shopper friendly format.

Thanks and Stay Tuned!

/TundraVision