Paris: A Short History

by Jeremy Black

Once described as that metropolis of dress and debauchery by the Scottish poet David Mallet, then as now Paris had a reputation for a peculiar joie de vivre, from style to sex, cookery to couture, captivating minds and imaginations across the Continent and beyond. In A Short History, Jeremy Black explores the unique cultural circumstances that made Paris the vibrant capital it is today.

Black explores how Paris has been shaped through the centuries from the first century BCE, when the city was founded by the Parisii. From a small Gallic capital conquered by the Romans, Paris transformed into a flourishing medieval city full of spectacular palaces and cathedrals, including Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame de Paris. During the illustrious reigns of Louis XIV and XV Paris became one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan capitals in the world, before the Revolution tore French society apart, changing the city forever. The Belle Époque brought new ideas and architecture to the city, including the iconic Eiffel Tower, before the destruction of the First and Second World Wars launched a massive regeneration project. Black completes his history by exploring present-day Paris and its role as the seat of a leading power on the world stage.

Black deftly demonstrates that the history of Paris is about more than a it is the history of a culture, a society and a state that has impacted the rest of the world through centuries of changing fortunes.

Genres: History, France, Nonfiction, Travel

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

About the author

Jeremy Black is an English historian, who was formerly a professor of history at the University of Exeter. He is a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of America and the West at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
Black is the author of over 180 books, principally but not exclusively on 18th-century British politics and international relations, and has been described by one commentator as "the most prolific historical scholar of our age". He has published on military and political history, including Warfare in the Western World, 1882–1975 (2001) and The World in the Twentieth Century (2002).

Reviews

[Helen Mears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm visiting Paris in July and this was exactly what I wanted, a brief historical overview that would help me plan my visit.

[Rachel Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read on the history of Paris. Great as a starting point if you’re visiting and want to know about the streets and monuments you’ll see.

[Roland Glotzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book covering the history of Paris not only in terms of events but including topics like tourism, fashion, food, etc…throughout the ages. A good introduction to Paris before planning a visit to the city.

[Robyn Bauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an odd book.
Firstly the quote on the front cover, - "An invitation to explore, to walk the city and discover hidden secrets" by Alan Forest couldn't be more inaccurate and inappropriate. Did you read this book Alan Forest? Even a little bit of it?
Ok the book is a combination of facts, subjectively chosen and unsubstantiated opinions that come from left field with no explanation. eg p.159 - "The cubist movement owed much to Montmartre." What? A vague and unhelpful claim.
Fitting thousands of years of history into 200 pages should not even be attempted unless there is a much clearer raison d'être.
I love Paris and have a large bookshelf devoted to books with the word Paris in the title so I snapped this one up with glee from the State Gallery bookstore, excited because it is so recent. The cynic in my is now thinking that it was a rush job in time for the Paris Olympics....

[Mme Forte · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5 stars.

This book doesn't know what it wants to be. It's full of facts, but they're often presented without follow-through. I know it's supposed to be a "short history" of Paris, but that shouldn't mean you drop stuff into the narrative that seems to have larger meaning or connotation and then just bounce off to the next thing.

There's also a lot of opinion for a book that's supposed to be history.

And some of the facts that are presented are really obscure. Like, why am I reading about troop movements in a short history? And yes, I understand that Paris is inextricably linked to French politics but WHY tell these stories without doing the work of showing why they're necessary?

Anyway, it wasn't awful, but it wasn't great. I'm glad I got this from the library and didn't purchase it for my professional library, because I'd be donating it rather than keeping it.

[Scott Paley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could give this 3.5 stars I would.. But it doesnt quite warrant a 4 star so unfortunately have to round it down go 3…

Jeremy Black had a challenge fitting so much history into 217 pages which for the first half of the book doesn’t work very well… It feels rushed, almost like the author is rushing to tell you about the French Revolution. Saying that, the book from the French Revolution onwards is fantastic; a cliche but a real page turner. I struggled with this book for a while but from the French Revolution and Napoleon to restoring the Monarchy, the First World War and the Second World War, it’s a real treat to read. A great example of a book of two halves. Worth the read if Paris intrigues you.

[Gill Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pacey journey through the history of Paris written in compelling style. I thought I knew the city pretty well but have made some great discoveries in this book.
There were several points where I did have to reread pages or sections because the date ranges seemed to jump about a bit within what are chronologically organised chapters. The concept of including maps of the city over time is a good one however the delivery of this - so small they are impossible to look at on the pages of a paperback - could do with a rethink by the publisher. It was also not always clear how text boxes set into some of the pages connected to the main text of the chapter. As with the map, perhaps a layout/publisher related matter that didn’t deliver coherently.

[Andrew Balog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many other reviews here, I echo the idea that I'm not sure what this book is supposed to be. I certainly wouldn't describe it as thorough (although, trying to write a condensed book about a city like Paris is always going to require leaving some things out).

I just can't make sense out of the author's choices on information to include. It felt like he was almost cherry-picking his favorite niche things within Paris and referencing them, instead of providing some kind of central narrative or theme. It's easy to read, but that comes at the expense of providing any lasting impact or information about the city that I can take away with me.

[Ann Otto · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be helpful to those interested in the current Olympic Paris (which is mentioned often) who know little of European history but for those of us readers of factual history the book is frustrating. It's a quick read and appears to be hastily written to take advantage of the world's attention on Paris in July and August 2024.

[Liz Lefroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to read while on the way to, and in, Paris. Jeremy Black is concise and clear in his writing, and I felt I got to know Paris in a different and illuminating way as a result.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice overview, i suppose better if youre a tourist

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s like someone asked AI to write a 200 page book on the history of Paris. It’s superficial and devoid of any emotion.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very brief history of Paris, Cliff Notes perhaps for those seeking a quick overview.