Paris: Capital of the World

By Patrice L.R. Higonnet

Book Overview

In an original and evocative journey through modern Paris from the mid-18th century to World War II, Patrice Higonnet offers a delightful cultural portrait of a multifaceted, continually changing city. In examining the myths and countermyths of Paris that have been created and recreated over time, Higonnet reveals a magical urban alchemy in which each era absorbs the myths and perceptions of Paris past, adapts them to the cultural imperatives of its own time, and feeds them back into the city, creating a new environment.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0674008871
• ISBN13: 9780674008878
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Belknap Press
• Length: 536 Pages
• Weight: 3.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.5" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Higonnet at his best

Higonnet doesn't put out many books, rather he reads a many more than any of his contemporaries, and puts out a few selective gems of academic work. The above reviewer is right, it's not a good book for the traveler looking to get a grasp on Paris, but what on earth would make you think that a book published by a university press (in this case Harvard) by a Harvard professor would be writen for tourists? If you want to know Paris in a depth that was, until now, untold, then read Higonnets masterpiece. If, like the above reviewer, you want to know where French Fries were invented in Paris, please mail your passport to the nearest State Dept. agent and ask them to revoke it. Parisians already hate us enough.

Intriguing new perspective

If you're looking for a general history of Paris, this book is not for you. On the other hand, if you already have a fair knowledge of Parisian history and culture, and if you are intrigued by the intersections of reality and imagination, don't miss it. Anyone who has ever lived in a big city, especially one with history, knows that the essence of the city is more than simply the sum of its buildings and inhabitants. This is particularly clear in the case of Paris - as a city, it is almost more myth than reality. Everyone is familiar, to some extent, with the images and ideas associated with Paris. Higonnet's book can show you how and when these myths originated. The amount of casual erudition in the book can be overwhelming at times, but a dedicated reader will find it rewarding. In addition, Higonnet's ever-elegant and quietly ironic style, combined with what is clearly a deep feeling for Paris, will make you want to keep on reading even when the sheer quantity of information is intimidating.