I am a nut about French Literature and History and this volume is one of my prized posessions. Most of the important manuscripts and relics of French Culture, from the 8th century on, are on display in this one volume. They are all accompanied by insightful and erudite descriptions on the part of the American and French contributors. It is like being led on a grand tour through one of the most important cultural repositories of the world (La Biblioteque nationale). I have been re-reading Froissart's Chronicles recently and they are magnificently represented as item #39. The volume also includes splendid maps of French territories from the Carolingian era to the Napoleonic Empire. These have been particularly helpful to me in my recent re-reading of Froissart and Joinville & Villehardouin's Chronicles of the Crusades. This volume is not inexpensive, but it is well worth the $ for any bibliophile or literature lover. It is the sort of book one can spend many enjoyable hours with and can study at leisure, giving one countless returns on his/her original investment. The illustrations are uniformily magnificent and the print quality is excellent. It is the type of book that should remain as a vivid reminder of what culture truly means for past, present and future generations. My highest recommendation and my highest commendation for all involved in this magnificent enterprise.

A must-read if you love French culture and history.For the first time the Bibliotheque Nationale de France displays cleverly her own treasures, with wonderfully written articles- especially regarding the illuminated manuscripts. This is the kind of a book you want on your shelves!