The Once Upon a Time World

by Jonathan Miles

A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, Travel, Historical, Biography, World History

456 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Florence Buchholz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The French Riviera has always been a place of natural beauty. Its serenity has been disturbed by years of development, tourism, war, organized crime, economic downturn and corrupt local government. The book takes you through the decades of history with precise detail beginning with European history and devolving into salacious gossip of the area's rich and powerful inhabitants. It is painstakingly researched. Unless you are searching for a exhaustive volume of geographic, political, and sociologic history of the region, it will take enormous patience to wade through these detailed pages.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book as I am currently living in the French Riviera and thought it would be an interesting summer read. I found it to be a bit of a slog, but one that still provided some interesting history and nuggets on the Riviera of today. Starting in the 1800s, the author takes us from the rough and ragged coast of the yet-to-be discovered Riviera to the modern, urban, crime-ridden, touristy Riviera we know in more recent times. Decade by decade he introduces us to the painters, writers, actors, fashion icons, and others who chose to spend time in the Riviera -- whether during the era when the Riviera was for the convalescing or to more recent times for the luxury, fun or sex. We also see the Riviera in its historical context, including how the World Wars played out across the Riviera. He shows us the various nationalities that have played a large role in shaping the Riviera - from the British to the Russians to the Americans. I do feel that I have a better understanding of the history of the area, although it felt like I would never make it to the end. And the Riviera he leaves us with at the end seems played out and ugly. Yet, there is still so much beauty in the Riviera of today - the ended seemed a disservice to the region.

[Bren · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the book, I've learned the history of the French Riviera is interesting enough to write a book about but probably not interesting enough for 400+ pages. The author does a good job of accentuating the good stuff (sex, crime, scandal) but, perhaps for lack of more interesting content, inundates the book with names and events in what comes across as a cut-and-paste job to fill the pages. He often does not tell you who a person is, just provides the name (this is so common it must be intentional), leaving the reader to guess, look it up, or, as I usually did, just keep reading and try and piece it together. Therefore, the book lacks a genuine flow. I liked his honesty on the topic and the people; he doesn't hesitate to harshly criticize people, governments, etc., when necessary. I appreciated his honest observations. Although, some of them may have been too harsh, or just untrue. Was Oscar Wilde really a pedophile?

If you're a Riviera enthusiast, this is probably a solid read. For other people, it's probably a stretch to become enthusiastic about it through this book.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extra interesting for me because my family lived on the Riviera for 6 months when I was 8 years old. Our time there made a huge impression on me. Among other things, we were invited to have tea with Princess Grace and her family (Caroline was a classmate of mine in school), and Grace was the most beautiful person I've ever seen in my life, and also very kind to me -- a fellow lonely American. I still also remember the flower festival in Nice, the Matisse Chapel in Vence, the Grand Prix, etc. etc. So it was a wonderful trip down memory lane, and also full of juicy anecdotes and interesting historical information that I hadn't heard before.

Even for people who have never been to the Riviera, this book should be fascinating, as virtually everyone who was anyone in 20th century arts and letters spent significant time there and was influenced by the environment and the people they crossed paths with there.

[Gary Brun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having spent six months in the Riviera, in a town called La Croix Valmer, which gets just a passing mention in this book, I'd heard plenty of stories from British and German ex pats who lived in the area about the rich and famous who made this place what it is today. I was curious to learn more and this book taught me plenty. It's well researched with loads of anecdotes, if a little rushed at times.

The book moves quickly, and sometimes you'd like to linger with a certain story or character a little longer, but the sheer amount of famous faces which have passed through the region means the book would have to be two or three times longer. It finishes with a glimmer of hope, but you just know the world written about here no longer exists, and it makes it all a bit sad.

It's a fascinating story which never runs out of steam. A good read if the Riviera interests you, and a sad lesson about the excesses of human nature.

[Stuart Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a chronicle than an in-depth history, the author considers the French Riviera from prehistoric times to today's over-developed vacation land. Along the way, he dishes the dirt on the rich and famous (and some not so famous) who began flocking south in droves beginning in the mid-19th century. An entertaining romp.

[Julian Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating history of how the French Riviera became what it is today - from humble beginnings, to outrageous chic.

Meticulously researched and beautifully told, this is a gem of a read and well worth a read.

An intriguing and entertaining slice of history.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the history of the French Riviera through the 1990"s. It highlighted the various celebrities and wealthy people who came there for various reasons. A lot of famous names are in this book. It also follows the development of the area into the resorts we now know.

[Dirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although fascinating in its collection of juicy and interesting anecdotes, it is to much a summing up of a zillion names and after a while one losses the thread of the story because you are inundated with tidbits

[Geoffrey BOLTON · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to start with when the broader picture is well portrayed. It, however, gets bogged down in details after WW2 and, unless you are interested in art or cinema of the period, it gets tedious and repetitive. It also descends into gossip. Think some editing would have helped.

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles' book looks at the history of the Riviera and the people who helped make it a resort destination. He traces how the coast developed as the goto place for those with access to wealth from the 18th to the 21st-century. A fascinating look at the south coast of France.

[Patty Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started slowly for me and sometimes was too bogged down with facts but it was interesting as well.

[Becky J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but would have enjoyed the read much more if it hadn’t had so many dangling participles. Author and his copy editor seem to have no idea that those are poor English.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and thorough history - occasionally a more detail than needed but many fascinating stories.

[Nicole Farison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book. An amazing history lesson.

[Kyle Magin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little on the chatty/gossipy side. Fun at times, drags at others.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content is fascinating, but the writing was really cumbersome. It almost read like a book that had been translated into English by Google translate. I read enough that I know if I’m struggling to understand your sentence, that’s on you.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A definite read as a preparation for a visit to the Riviera. Can be a slow read at times.