Paris: Wish You Were Here

by Timothy Shaner (Editor), Christopher Measom (Editor)

Paris: Wish You Were Here! is the ultimate postcard from the most romantic and glamorous city in the world. Filled with writings, facts, and trivia about this most sought-after destination for lovers, writers, artists, fashionistas, and travelers, Paris captures the best of the City of Lights.

Exquisitely illustrated with vintage and fine art, Paris offers up the following treasures and pleasures:

- Excerpts from FICTION and TRAVEL WRITING from the likes of David Sedaris, Victor Hugo, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Colette, and many others
- FOOD customs--how, what, and when to eat--regarding cheeses, breads, meats, wine, coffee, chocolate, street food, and markets, including where to find the best of everything
- MONUMENTS and famous DESTINATIONS including Cafe Flore, Shakespeare & co., La Coupole, and more
- Parisian MUSEUMS--everything from the must-see to the hidden treasures
- POETRY from famous Parisian bards including Baudelaire, Apollinaire, and Mallarme
- GOSSIP and interesting TIDBITS about Paris's most famous inhabitants and visitors throughout history, including Briggitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, Coco Chanel, Macel Marceau, Marie Antoinette, Pable Picasso, and Napoleon
- ARCHITECTURE--the styles that dominate and why
- City HISTORY from Gaul to Gaultier
- AMERICANS in Paris, including Josephine Baker, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, James Baldwin, and Nina Simone
- Parisian POPULAR CULTURE including fashion, jazz, and cinema
- The best of Paris SHOPPING, from flea markets to Avenue Montaigne

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 2008

Reviews

[Jeanette Michalets · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable mix of facts and essays, all centered around Paris. The book is divided into 20 chapters, each one centered on a different" arrondisement" or neighborhood in Paris.

While I did not learn a whole lot that I didn't already know, it offered a good refresher course and for those readers with less knowledge of the famed city, the book offers an entertaining overview.
As well as facts about the various neighborhoods, the reader will glean information on French food, as well as shopping, dining and recreation suggestions.

The book also contains a smattering of essays by the likes of Julia Child, Langston Hughes, Jack Kerouac and other luminaries that visited the city of light.

[Anna Richland · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 272 page book arranged by Paris arrondissements - but WITHOUT A MAP showing where each arrondissement is in relation to Paris and each other. Not even inside the cover or listed in the table of contents.

The book itself incorporates brief sketches of each arrondissement, many images, snippets of writing ranging from Julia Child and David Sedaris to Victor Hugo and Getrude Stein, poetry, song lyrics, etc. It all becomes a bit overstuffed and random.

Also, for a book that relies heavily on visuals -- reproduction of old French posters, postcards, nineteenth and early twentieth century paintings are on nearly every page -- the grayish base color of the pages was visually icky. The type just doesn't show up well against the gray pages, and it also doesn't flatter the art reproductions.

It was okay. It sent me to a few other things -- reminded me to read some David Sedaris before my upcoming trip, for instance. But it was just a very, very, pre-digested and packaged product.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift from my mother. So far it's given excellent practical advice on what cafes to go to and how to order (because, in my six years of French, no one told me that what I want is a cafe creme). (Actually, I'll see how excellent it is when I get there: maybe everyone actually orders cafe au lait.)

[Laura Bang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptions of each arrondissement and some of their attractions, brief bits of tourist info, a few profiles of some famous Americans in Paris, quotes and lyrics, and excerpts from books, beautifully adorned with illustrations, art, and vintage photographs. A lovely glimpse of Paris for dreaming and/or reminiscing.