I purchased this before taking a spur-of-the-moment trip to Paris with my boyfriend, based on its excellent reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed!

This guide provided an incredible wealth of information about everything Paris -- from sights to see, places to eat, and things to do. Almost every site is accompanied with a nicely written description, map, and full-color photograph.

Here are a few notes: 1.) The information (allbeit interesting and informative) is about the touristy stuff. If you're interested in going to visit lesser-known sites, you may want to get a supplemental guide. 2.) Make sure to look up every place you go/have gone. I was surprised to found out that many of the seemingly understated little cafes we visited have long, rich histories, which the book very colorfully described. 3.) The restaurant guide, while good, is not entirely complete. If your visit will center on the French culinary experience,you may want to do a little additional research beyond the confines of this book. 4.) This leather bound special addition also contains 4 laminated, easy-reference information cards (menu reference sheet, address finder, Metro map) and a full-size city map, all of which were incredibly helpful and can not be purchased separately. 5.) The section about customs is good, as it contained valuable information on topics such as tipping and using the bathroom. (Interesting Fact: In many restaurants you have to *pay* to use the ladies room -- even if you have already purchased a meal or snack. Make sure to carry a handful of 2 Franc pieces with you at all times.) 6.) The book, though helpful, weighs a ton. Be prepared -- or beg one of your travel mates to carry it for you!

Bon voyage!

This guide is wonderful - I have never flown anywhere before and was very nervous about going to Paris, but after having this book for a week now I feel MUCH more confident! I am always opening it to look up more info - Theres so much in it I can't imagine how all that stuff can be in Paris!! I researched quite a few travel guides to Paris before buying this one and I am SO glad I chose this guide... it has detailed descriptions of each region, each monument, each street! Even comes with a menu card to help you figure out what you're about to order! haha... It gives detailed walking tours, bus routes, best times and price differences for visiting museums,... The very best part of this book though is the PICTURES!! There are pictures of everything and THAT makes it the best for me... What else can I say - if you're going to Paris - BUY THIS BOOK!

Dorling Kindersley makes the best travel guides hands down. They are extremely well illustrated, have extensive and detailed maps (thank god, because I tend to get lost very easily), up to date information on hotels (rates, rooms etc), restaurants (costs and reservation policies), and sites to see.

The travel guides have wonderful pictures, well researched histories and facts about France and more specifically Paris, what wines to look for and taste (not just by region and vineyard but also by year), sample dishes that one should try, detailed walking tours, information on famous art (there is a great section on the Louvre and all how to speed thru if you only have a limited amount of time).

The guide covers customs, money changing, travel information - you name it! Most importantly, it shares with you the best places to shop (and there are SO many in Paris), where to get good deals and SOOO much more. The book give you wonderful ideas on how to see the city in a limited time or really enjoy it if you are there for more than a few days. The book also covers things to do that many tourists might over look as well as telling you what is worth your while and what to skip. The guide also has great ideas for day trips beyond the city itself.

This is one of the best guides available on the market. It is perfect if you are planning to go to a few cities in a limited time or for more in depth information when planning a longer trip. We always lend this out to people before they plan a trip and everyone else has agreed it is top of the line.

Lori Paris reveals the complexities and challenges of the ability to search for a new identity through FOLLOW YOUR HEART. Lori understands and conveys courage and daring in this unfolding journey where nothing is guaranteed. Her work demands insight and balance of emotions with integrity and clarity of processing. She gains both and enables the reader to share a new perspective as the journey is traveled together. The reader can only gain from this work.

Follow Your Heart has told the story that every adoptee and birthparent wishes to have happen to them. I started reading this story, knowing full well that it was a novel about a very serious subject and found myself wishing and hoping that all the stories of adopted people the world over ended this way, with love and sunshine all around.

Finding out that you are adopted is one of the most intense bits of information that a person could possibly stumble upon, and to have to do it in the darkest of times as Sara did, well, that is one of the worst ways to have it happen. It ruins everything that you ever thought you were or would become. Unless you are strong willed and adaptable. Many of your pre-set ideas and conditions you placed on yourself have to become less rigid and a whole lot more flexible. I applaud Ms Paris in her well defined drawing of the life of Sara and the situations she faces. I also highly congratulate her on her understanding of her birthmother and birthfather characterizations. She has taken the walk and understands all the emotions and feelings that happen when a person suddenly is confronted with this. Even if they have known about being adopted all of their lives, the feelings and emotions are relevant. And the wishes for the ending that everyone wants to be so promising and full. Sara finds herself and unwittingly helps her birthparents to finally find themselves also.

Follow Your Heart is a most excellent read for anyone, but especially for those who have walked the walk. Read it, give it to someone you love, give it to someone you know who may need it. It is a wonderful book.

With her flair for detail, Lori Paris takes you right where she wants you to be--right into the thoughts and life of Sara Martin. You will feel Sara's grief in losing those she loves and with the loss of identity when she discovers that she is adopted. You will feel her joy when she realizes her strengths and 'will not quit' character which helps her move forward into romance, meaningful relationships and determination to find her birth parents. This story will touch your heart and inspire you to move forward.

As the Louvre is just so darn big, you need this book if for no other reason than to whittle down the museum to what interests you. New York City's Met. is big, but frankly, the whole Met. would be one half of one floor, of one wing, in the Louvre. Most Knopf guides are very detailed and thoughtfully written and this is no exception. Indispensible for your visit(s) to the Louvre.

I received this book as a gift when I left to study abroad in Paris a few years ago. I went to Paris to study art and I found this book to be an excellent guide to this fantastic museum. It is so interesting and informative. And when you are done visiting the Louvre, you have an excellent souvenir!

A treasure trove of images and information making it almost redundant to go to the Louvre itself. Too bad there are not guides like this for the Musee D'Orsay and other museums of Paris. It seems that the guide should have been expanded to include the other museums since the Knopf city guide book gives the others so little space.

I am one of those who became entranced by Louise Brooks after seeing her in "Pandora's Box". She appeared to be highly sexual, intelligent, and to be marching to the sound of a drummer that she alone heard within herself. It turns out that she was all of this. This is an excellent biography and a lesson about what happens to those who despise the opportunities that life presents to us and to those whose lives are driven by sex rather than common sense. Louise Brooks was a very modern woman despite having been a star of the silent screen. She made only a few films but her performances in those films stand up with the great performances of today and their naturalism makes the acting of most silent screen starlets seem idiotic. While other actresses were concerned with nothing but their looks, Brooks was reading Shaw and Proust. While others did all they could to ingratiate themselves with the movie studios, Brooks had nothing but indifference for them. She turned her back on fame, fortune, and power. She could have had a brilliant career but always sabotaged her chances. She had beauty and incredible sex appeal. She had Chaplin as a lover. She wrote. She lives on today as an image of a woman ahead of her time and also as a tragic waste. Her own difficult personality drove everyone away. Her lack of discipline was childish. She fascinates. This is the best biography we will ever get of her. Recommended.

This Bio does not look upon Louise Brooks as sympathetically as other's Bio's do. Here we feel that we are being told the truth - as not everything in her life was perfect, or admirable, or even sympathetic. Louise Brooks was still a person who did things her way. And this books tells us what her was. A wonderful look at a wonderful Actress, Dancer and Writer.

An all-emcompassing book for fans of Louise Brooks. It has interesting stories and beautiful photos.

For years, I was fascinated by the image of Louise Brooks as a cultural icon, so what an experience it finally was to absorb both Pandora's Box and this biography at the same time. I have to admit that my early impressions of Brooks were shattered upon reading this, as I did not end up feeling sympathetic towards her. For an actress of such few movies, she was quite the snob in assessing the "worth" of everyone around her -- all because her deep knowledge of literature made her feel a great sense of superiority (talk about frivolous and delusional), and she carried that attitude to the grave. She even had the audacity to tell George Gershwin that most of his compositions were tripe. My, if only dear Louise had possessed a fraction of the talent that George had in his pinkie. And that's a major point that needs to be made about Brooks -- she was more about an amazing look and on-screen aura then she was about measured talent. Which is not to say that she couldn't have developed her skills, with a longer career, but we'll obviously never know for sure. On the one hand, you admire Brooks for her fire, independence and take-no-crap attitude; on the other hand, you're left feeling that her fate was largely self-induced, due to her unwavering impulsiveness. And I guess I'm in the minority who's not impressed with her comeback as an "expert" Hollywood historian. No doubt, she could write, but her opinions lack the immediacy of someone who was *there* when events happened. At least Bette Davis had many years of acting and firsthand work experiences behind her to make her viewpoints more intimate and colorful.

Overall, though, I'm glad I read this book. It's very well-written, entertaining to read, and full of enlightening anecdotes about the flapper age and Hollywood's internal politics. Brooks' complexity was well worth exploring -- even to those like myself who feel that Paris pays her more honor than she truly deserved.

Extremely detailed and slow biography of one of the most sexually attractive actresses of the silent movie, based on her diaries.
Her life can be summarized by 'sex and gin'.
Abused child; having an orgy of two months with Charles Chaplin; kicked out of Hollywood because of her unrestrained life style; her successes in Europe as Lulu; her life as an escort girl. Even this career was not to last, because she was unable to feign sexual pleasure. Her later days on the brink of suicide.
The author relates it with compassion and love.
He also gives an incisive picture of Hollywood in the twenties and thirties: amoral and corrupt.
A bright actress, but what a sad life behind the curtain.
A model biography.

Louise Brooks was a remarkable woman in many ways and this excellent biography depicts her entire story in a way that lets us truly get to know this fascinating and original individual. Louise was far more than just a pretty face. She had talent oozing from literally every pore of her body. I have caught the bug and am now a devoted Brooks fan for life, and finding this book by fellow Pittsburgher Barry Paris has enriched my knowledge of Louise for which I will be forever grateful. Thank you Barry, this is wonderful research you've done for us here, and all fans of Louise Brooks owe you a standing ovation!

There aren't many biographies on Louise that I could find outside of this book and Louise's own autobiography of sorts, titled "Lulu in Hollywood", but there isn't room for many more as this thorough study covers everything one would wish to know about Louise Brooks and her fascinating life onscreen and off.

Tired of the typical spoiled starlet of yesteryear? Think all old-time actors were all the same? Boy are you wrong, and this book will prove it to you! This is one woman who breaks down all conventions and shatters all illusions. Louise Brooks was a true original in every sense of the word!

Have a look and you too will fall in love with Louise Brooks.

This is an outstanding atlas. The book's size is very convenient, it is easy to carry, and fits nicely into a purse or a coat pocket. The map scale is excellent. All details that a visitor would need such as car parks, metro and RER stops, post offices, churches and every possible building and landmark are clearly marked on each page of the atlas. The detailed maps show all side streets so we never had any fear of getting lost on our walks. There are also separate pages for the bus, metro, and train lines serving the Paris area. The atlas is limited to the central Paris area so a visitor would need additional, larger scale maps of the Paris region if travel plans include driving to the city or around its various extended suburbs. This is the only set of maps you would need if your travel plans include the usual tourist attractions (the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, etc). However, this is not a guide book, so you will need a separate tour book of the city.

Excellent for walking, driving, and even taking metro. I purchased the 2000 edition and it's very easy to read and also has a metro map and regional train map. Valuable indexes for all streets, museums, schools, landmarks, etc. as well as for emergency phone numbers. If you're going to Paris and are buying only one book to prepare for the trip (highly unlikely...!), then get this one!

This is the best one that can fit in your pocket. Michelin always puts out maps of fine detail and great color, yet easy to use. I've tried a number of street atlases in Paris but I found this to be the best and most useful.

As I opened this book, I wondered whether I would be disappointed by yet another author who pushes aside the possibility of pre-birth communication. I have read books on the dreams of pregnancy that speak of symbols, wish fulfillment, and the mind's tendency to sift through possible outcomes. It takes courage to assert that some dreams may be genuine communications from the soul of the unborn child. Raina M. Paris has that courage. This is a wonderfully satisfying book, written with the touch of a poet and full of common sense. There are rich chapters devoted to both the mother's and father's experiences, exercises to increase dream awareness, and an insightful glossary of common dream symbols as they pertain to pregnancy. One of the most delightful aspects of Paris's style is the way she accepts premonitory dreams as entirely natural events, "mysteriously ordinary, like life." This is the approach I prefer in dealing with all channels of pre-birth communication.

As pregnant women and mothers, we are force fed consumerism as we give birth to the newest generation of the American consumer--we must stop and tune into our souls, our children's future and our own hearts. Ms. Paris' book provides this much needed stop sign in a busy world. Motherhood needs to be acknowledged for the spiritual transformation that it is, and not as the ultimate ride down the birth canal into a material world. Ms. Paris' book offers insights and fresh perspective into the dream world that we cross into when we become mothers. It is soul food in a material world. Forego the "What booties to buy" book and buy this book instead. It will change your dreams, your future and your child's entry into its conscious dream--LIFE. Also a wonderful chapter on men and fathers to be--who are equally as important at every stage of a child's life.

This is a warm and wise book, lovingly written, on the myriad and wonderful ways that soul moves in the lives of those chosen to give birth. It offers sure and steady counsel for the unfolding of an inner process which might otherwise seem bewildering and overwhelming. Ms.Paris writes straight from the heart, with a sure knowledge of her subject. A must for all prospective mothers-to-be, and for their mates as well.

I really enjoyed being placed in turn of the century France. What except romance and frivolous personalities could come of blending this period with French Artists. Guilbert has the strong-will of a master who wants not to please the museums but himself. A selfish man with his possessions but also generous enough to give his last penny away. He teams up with Verchard, a troubled soul who doubts his own skill as a painter, but remains a steadfast confidant of Guilbert. There is love, betrayal, promiscuity and ignorant loyalty played out in this work. One will be longing to view the actual paintings and photographs of Guilbert, to stroll into the café and drink with he and his cronies. Hill is highly expressive, bringing together the sights, smells, and sounds of Paris. Mais oui, I will look for his future works.

Mr. Hill has penned a tremendous novel. Beautifully written. Heartbreaking at moments. Well worth the time. I'm looking forward to more.

This is a book that is hard to put down. It is a story that pulls you through to the end, making the reader feel as if you yourself are along for the ride. Truly worth the time, a very good read. I suggest you take this book with you while traveling, it's certain to help pass the time on an airplane or long car ride. A great escape. You'll love this author, too!

I've read all my life and am a professional in publishing, but lately, I haven't had the pleasure of coming across such marvelous, well-constructed turns of phrase and great story lines until "Lighter Than Air." Thanks, Mr. Leefeldt, for a can't-put-it-down page turner. I'll be picking up a few more copies for gifts and looking forward to your next piece.

I really liked this book. It had an old-fashion action quality and something that turned me on a lot when I used to look at my dad's hardcover books--illustrations that perk up the story. The story itself grabs you from the first page. It's set in a time when aviation had a kind of sci-fi edge, and people were still romantic about the miracle of flight. There are good guys (and girls) and bad ones. There are surprises. There's some wonderful insights into the technology of early 20th century flying machines. This would make an absolutely dynamite movie. I hope some producer has the good sense to turn it into one.

The sounds, smells, and scenes of late nineteenth-century Paris are painted so clearly in this book that the reader steps back in time. Any yet, realities of everyday life remain all-too-familiar: the uncertainty of love, the power of politics, the finality of death, the forboding of evil. I enjoyed the memorable mix of characters caught in a race for fame and fortune as well as the well-crafted, tighly woven plot. This book goes far beyond the typical coming-of-age story--it's a celebration of the creative spirit kept aloft only through human connection.

I'm not terribly familiar with Gallico. Years ago a girlfriend introduced me to _The Man Who Was Magic_, a delightful allegory I've taken with me everywhere since, but which does not appear anywhere in Amazon's offerings. Only this week I finally picked up _The Snow Goose_, which didn't do much for me I'm afraid, and then this one.

This is a peach! Gallico wants to pay tribute to the elder, working class British woman who cleans other people's homes and is known as a char. Widowed, near or in her 60s, Mrs. Harris one day develops the notion of owning a Dior original, something utterly perfect and beautiful ... but at 450 to 500 pounds (maybe $1200 in the late 1950s when this book was published) far out of her budgetary range.

How she does it, and what happens to her in Paris when she makes a day trip to realize her dream, is the stuff of magic. The characters are all believable; what they say and do in any given situation is completely plausible; and yet the aggregate of events and coincidences that come together to complete this tale are utterly (but forgivably) incredible -- as in any fairy tale.

Being a reader/viewer who has thrilled to Samuel Beckett, Ingmar Bergman, and Harlan Ellison, I tend to avoid the word "heartwarming" like the Black Death. But that's the perfect word for this lovely little book.

The story of a London charwoman who goes to Paris to improbably buy a long-desired Dior dress is a jaunty, light comedy which began a series of pure entertainments. Mrs. 'Arris is an enchanting character in that her fundamental ordinary humanity and decency, rather than any superhuman virtue or penetrating insight, allows her to connect with those about her. This is musical comedy fiction, gently told, well done. All the Mrs. 'Arris books are splendid reads, and deserve at least a reissue, if not a film series.

I picked this up in a library because the title amused me. It's just a little slice-of-life story about an ordinary woman, not stunningly gorgeous, or rich, or romantic -- in fact she's just a Cockney char nobody noticed. Until she did something unexpected just because she wanted to, changing other people's lives in the process. It's a beautiful story.