William Drozdiak’s new book “The Last President of Europe” revisits Emmanuel Macron— France’s youngest leader since Napoleon— as he attempts to reshape his country and define France’s place in Europe and the world. The book is a revelatory examination of the global impact of a BC Macron (before coronavirus) and his tumultuous presidency. Continue reading “The Last President of Europe”
Taxi Tales From Paris
“You talking to me?” From Robert de Niro in “Taxi Driver” to Jim Jarmusch’s film “Night on Earth” telling tales of five taxi drivers on one night in five separate cities (including Paris), taxi drivers are the stuff of urban legends. Continue reading “Taxi Tales From Paris”
Sense in the City, Paris
Imagine waking to the peals of morning church bells in a small French village or devouring fresh flakes of a buttery croissant you’ve just dunked in coffee at a street-side café in Paris… When we’re travelling, a picture-postcard location, and a good view of it is always appealing. We want a hotel room, restaurant table or lookout that allows us to gaze in awe across an exotic landscape. Continue reading “Sense in the City, Paris”
City of Dark
How safe is a city built on a void? Hundreds of kilometers of abandoned quarry tunnels snake under huge parts of Paris. It is illegal to penetrate the city’s’ underground world, yet every year thousands of subterranean explorers do just that. Drawing on Paris’ underground urban legends, Canadian author and long-time Paris resident, Claire Dickinson dares us to imagine —with her new book “City of Dark”— what would happen if that world were taken over by terrorists. Continue reading “City of Dark”
John Baxter Loves Paris
“I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles. I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles….” Like with the iconic Cole Porter song, Australian Paris-based writer John Baxter loves Paris. Proof is that since moving here in 1989 he has written several books about the city including “We’ll Always Have Paris: Sex and Love in the City of Light,” “Immoveable feast : a Paris Christmas,” “The Most Beautiful Walk in the World : a Pedestrian in Paris” and “Five Nights in Paris: After Dark in the City of Light.” Continue reading “John Baxter Loves Paris”
The Actor Who Was France
A new book by Joseph Harriss on the life and times of Jean Gabin is the first biography in English of the iconic French film actor whose career and life mirrored both 20th century France and the early evolution of modern film. Gabin’s most memorable films include “La Grande Illusion” (1937), “La Bete Humane” (1938), “Le Jour se Leve” (1939) and “Le Plaisir” (1950). Continue reading “The Actor Who Was France”
Bon Appetit!
With “Best Parisian Bistro Recipes for Food Lovers,” a book published by Parigramme—and clicking your ruby slippers three times— you can magically travel to Paris while learning to cook some French cuisine classics such as “Onion Soup,” “Endives with Ham” and “Crème Burlee.’ Continue reading “Bon Appetit!”
So Parisian!
“Paris has more to offer than climbing the Eiffel Tower” says “So Parisian!” author Jean-Christophe Napias. With lesser-known museums, authentic restaurants and unexpected discoveries, this charming book (published by Parigramme) offers an eclectic selection of unusual shops, timeless brasseries, cool bistros and romantic gardens that make this city so special…and so Parisian! Continue reading “So Parisian!”
Paris’ Left Bank Generation
Agnes Poirier’s new book “Left Bank” revisits the rebirth of Paris after WWII. The book is a group portrait of the generation born between 1905 and 1930, that animated Paris between 1940 and 1950. After the horrors of war the world’s artists, writers and intellectuals flocked to Paris turning the lights back on in “la ville lumiere. ” They ushered in a renaissance of new novels, new thinking, new filmmaking and new ways of painting. Continue reading “Paris’ Left Bank Generation”
Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home
“After a decade of living in Paris, it was time to make my dream come true: To own my own home in Paris, complete with my dream kitchen…” says author David Lebovitz discussing his new book “L’appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home.” Little did he know before embarking on this adventure that he would soon come face to face with France’s famed mind boggling red tape and quirky cultural idiosyncrasies that are challenging to even the most ardent anglo francophile. Continue reading “Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home”
The Gourmand’s Way
“The Gourmands’ Way: Six Americans in Paris and the Birth of a New Gastronomy,” is a group portrait of six legendary expat food writers who helped bring some of the French touch to American cuisine. The book revisits the fabled world of haute cuisine and the vibrant bohemian and artistic haunts of the Left Bank during the 50’s and 60’s. Continue reading “The Gourmand’s Way”