Seven ages of Paris

Description

In this luminous portrait of Paris, celebrated historian Alistair Horne gives us the history, culture, disasters, and triumphs of one of the world's truly great cities. Horne makes plain that while Paris may be many things, it is never boring. From the rise of Philippe Auguste through the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV (who abandoned Paris for Versailles); Napoleon's rise and fall; Baron Haussmann's rebuilding of Paris (at the cost of much of the medieval city); the Belle Epoque and the Great War that brought it to an end; the Nazi Occupation, the Liberation, and the postwar period dominated by de Gaulle--Horne brings the city's highs and lows, savagery and sophistication, and heroes and villains splendidly to life. With a keen eye for the telling anecdote and pivotal moment, he portrays an array of vivid incidents to show us how Paris endures through each age, is altered but always emerges more brilliant and beautiful than ever. The Seven Ages of Paris is a great historian's tribute to a city he loves and has spent a lifetime learning to know. - Publisher.

First Sentence

The then King of England, Henry II, was an imposing, authoritarian ruler who, at least in the early stages of his reign, seemed to have everything going for him.

Description

"With an Introduction by the eminent French Academician Maurice Druon, Seven Ages of Paris tells the dramatic story of one of the world's most beautiful best-loved cities."--BOOK JACKET.

Subjects

Other Editions

• Seven ages of ParisHardcoverDistributed by Random House2002-01-01
• Seven ages of ParisDistributed by Random House2002-01-01
• The Seven Ages of ParisHardcoverMacmillan2002-10-11
• Seven Ages of ParisHardcoverKnopf2002-11-12
• Seven Ages of ParisPaperbackPan Books2003-10-03
• Seven Ages of ParisPaperbackVintage2004-04-13