Paris: The Secret History | Andrew Hussey | Not "Secret" but "Fun" History of Paris

Paris: The Secret History | Andrew Hussey | Secret History

books:

Paris: The Secret ...

	Paris: The Secret History Andrew Hussey Bloomsbury USA, 2006 - 512 pages average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

If Adam Gopnik?s Paris to the Moon described daily life in contemporary Paris, this book describes daily life in Paris throughout its history: a history of the city from the point of view of the Parisians themselves. Paris captures everyone?s imaginations: It?s a backdrop for Proust?s fictional pederast, Robert Doisneau?s photographic kiss, and Edith Piaf?s serenaded soldier-lovers; a home as much to romance and love poems as to prostitution and opium dens. The many pieces of the city coexist, each one as real as the next. What?s more, the conflicted identity of the city is visible everywhere?between cobblestones, in bars, on the métro.

In this lively and lucid volume, Andrew Hussey brings to life the urchins and artists who?ve left their marks on the city, filling in the gaps of a history that affected the disenfranchised as much as the nobility. Paris: The Secret History ranges across centuries, movements, and cultural and political beliefs, from Napoleon?s overcrowded cemeteries to Balzac?s nocturnal flight from his debts. For Hussey, Paris is a city whose long and conflicted history continues to thrive and change. The book?s is a picaresque journey through royal palaces, brothels, and sidewalk cafés, uncovering the rich, exotic, and often lurid history of the world?s most beloved city.

for more information click here

Not "Secret" but "Fun" History of Paris

I read this book two years ago. Out of the blue, I decided to write a review. It is the first time I read the reviews on this book on Amazon. I must say that I am surprised at how many don't like this book.

Not everyone have time to read a dry 800 page book of the official history of France and another 800 page book of the social history of France and another 200 page Paris tourist guide book, so as a substitute, this 400 page of a fun history of Paris book seems like a great deal. For a introduction to France's history, a history of Paris would certainly be sufficient because many things that you see in Paris can be linked to parts of history. Examples: description of Paris' city plan in Roman times reminds us that France used to be "occupied" by the Romans. Then there is the Revolution, the crowning of Napoleon, the defeat of Napolean by the Germans, the Nazi occupation... The additional benefit of relating a historical event to a specific Parisian street/architecture/artifact in Paris is that it helps reader to remember the event better than just reading a history book.

Now, if you read a pure history book, you probably won't learn about where is the bar that the students and artists used to drink, where the jugglars used to perform, where the rich people used to live, where the prostitues used to linger. There probably would be less detailed description of the lifes of famous French actresses, the circumstances under which the numerous bridges across the Seine were built, when did postal service begin in Paris. There are also references to famous French writers, painters and architects for those are into the arts/literature. (maybe a little less references to musicians than I'd like)

I personally have a sort of interesting relationship with Paris. I must have been there 7 times, but have had only two short stints as a proper tourist instead of being on business. So, I know the streets, historical sites and museums of Paris reasonably well. I know quite well where modren Parisian shops and work. However, for myself at least, this book introduces a different aspect of Paris to me. Instead of just looking at the surface of the city, which is the modern or touristy fascade, I have a deeper sense of the myraid actors, glorious or hideous ones, that has shaped the city.

One complain I have about this book is that its map is too small and too unclear. It is a pity. I would love to trace everything the author mention on a map so that I can visit the place next time. Normally, this issue would cause me to reduce the star from 5 to 4.5, thus 4. But, given how many people don't like the book, I have to give it a 5 to stress my point.

This book is packed with fun details and informative history. It is organized into short chapters. It was a very quick read for me. I am pretty sure that I will read this book again at some point. (unfortunately, my original book is falling apart)

for more information click here

Secret History

I love this book, the detail is fascinating and the back and forth relationship to modern day Paris, is what keeps me reading. I also appreciate the lore of the catholic references to saints and locales, but he doesn't sugar coat the history. He's done a lot of fascinating reading and research and summarizes his findings in an easy and enjoyable format. Although it takes me a while to digest each section, I still think it is worthwhile reading. Having been to Paris and going back in the spring, I wanted a comprehensive look at the city with the not so pleasant facts thrown in. This has met my requiremnts.

for more information click here

Death, Dismemberment, and Decadence in the City of Lights

There's a lot of interesting history dredged up in Andrew Hussey's "Paris, the Secret History", a blood drenched, often gripping account of the glittering world capital that offsets the glamorous and polished image the very name evokes. Having recently visited both London and Paris, I purchased this book, along with "London: the Biography" by Peter Ackroyd. I had attempted, without success, to get through Ackroyd's biography of Shakespeare, but decided to read his London book first, hoping for better results. Ackroyd is a very highly regarded writer, so I can only assume that either I'm missing something or am sorely lacking the intelligence required to enjoy his tomes. There are passages of great wit to be found in "London", to be sure, and also chapters that began interestingly enough, but somehow, for me, seemed to get bogged down in dry, almost academic, prose that caused my eyes to glaze over, making me want to sling the book across the room.

Fortunately, the Paris book by Andrew Hussey doesn't present the same problem. As a matter of fact, the book moves quickly forward from the city's ancient history through various wars and conflicts, ending up in the present day. Along the way, we are variously entertained and repulsed by a colorful and, often outrageous cast of real-life characters who are so vividly described that it's hard to believe that they actually existed. And the trials and trepidations faced by everyday Parisians, particularly during the time of the French Revolution through the second World War, are horrific and heart-rending.

The most negative comment I have about this book is that there seems to be an undercurrent of thinly veiled homophobia present throughout. Maybe homophobia is too strong a word, but there have been notable (sometimes notorious) gay men and women intimately involved in the long, eventful history of Paris, and the author is clearly uncomfortable with this subject, most especially regarding homosexual males. There are passages where his disdain, as well as his distaste, is evident. This added a somewhat sour note to a book that is, otherwise, fascinating, well-researched, and, in most cases, well-written.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

products you might be interested in