I bought this book because I like to listen to substantial books about history and I have enjoyed others by David McCullough. After I had finished it, my book club decided to read it. I thought I would listen to bits and pieces to refresh my memory, but I wound up going back to the beginning and listening to the whole book again, enjoying it as much the second time as I had the first.

I read the reviews of The Greater Journey and I was disappointed. However, I read McCullough so often and am so rarely disappointed, that I went ahead. I must join those who have written downbeat reviews.

What is the focus? Does the US owe so much of its medical and artistic heritage to France? Was Paris a fabulous place to live in the middle of the 19th Century (more so than in the 1920's)? These characters who made cameo appearances in an off Broadway play...figures of History who did not merit a biography of their own, worthy of such lengthy mention? Oh yes, there were facts and statistics that were surprising to uncover; there were descriptions of the Prussian siege of Paris that were new and well narrated, but every subject concentration jumped out of the shadows.

As always, Edward Herrmann reads so well that review is unnecessary. I simply continue to hope that it is he to whom I shall listen when I begin to listen to a long book.

I got the feeling that McCullough had done, as always, the most diligent research, had reviewed it and found no literary gel, then thrown it all into a pot and joined it 'somehow'. If you would like a snapshot of Paris of 150 years ago, you'll enjoy it. But this is not McCullough at his best. He read his own introduction and sounded halting, blurred...perhaps a little old. More's the pity. I'll look to see what he writes next. We are all allowed a miss here and there.

Lovers of Mcculloughs work were thrown an unexpected curve ball on this one. Firstly the topic of this book isn't as strong and defined as his other work and I think that that hurt his biggest fans expectations. The quality of the writing was also not quite up to par compared to his other work, which was a disappointment and surprising, because all his other books were so consistent in their greatness.

Having said all this, Mccullough's second best is still better than most others best. I to, was somewhat bewildered and disappointed as I made my way through the book but at some point my impression changed and I began to appreciate the underlying message of the stories related and by the the time I got to the end, those stories had a profound effect on me. I was elated by the examples of lives lived with such a beautiful balance. lives with art, music,and intellectual endeavors and friendships ingrained so deeply it was a heartwarming and exciting example of what life could be. Where a simple walk in a park could be a cherished memory for life. Where the values of/ in yourself and those around you were so wonderfully tuned enabling far greater depths in your relationships with friendship and family.

These are the things I got out of the book in the end and I suspect these are the things in the end that Mccullough was hoping to convey. Its this valuable revelation that elevates this book to 4 stars.

After much preparation Fenimore Cooper and his family are finally underway on their journey to Paris! So is the listener. Fenimore Cooper comes home and the listener continues with other artist, educators, medical persons and people just enriching their lives. We listen as the streets of Paris become what they are today, our own beloved Statue of Liberty is built and couragous Americans are enfluenced and changed as never before or since. Some of the people you will already know, some you will be lucky enough to meet for the first time. Even if the time for these wonderful journeys is past David McCullough opens the drapes and helps us step into our own ship of words. McCullough's writing is his own form of painting. Edward Hermann does a great job. This is truly what is called a good book.

I love how the author brings history alive. The interplay between the growth of the United States parallel to the things that were going on in Europe was fascinating. I had no idea about the details of the war between France and Germany and it was so interesting how Mr. Washburn, the ambassador from the States, stayed in Paris and was so much help to so many people of various nationalities.

Edward Hermann is always a pleasure to listen to and makes you truly feel the breadth of the stories. Now I want to listen again and stop and research the artwork of the artists who studied and worked in Paris.

I felt it wrapped up a little quickly but still found it made sense.

This book provides the background of many of the writers and artists we thought we know. McCullough gives women writers and artists a significant amount of time in the book, when so much history does not. McCullough keeps us interested, even though there is no one story to tie the entire book together. He moves back and forth between the characters to keep you interested and to help you keep track of the decades he describes. We watch Paris and the United States take huge leaps in inagination, creativity, and technology.

I love David McCullough & I love Paris!! That said while I enjoyed "The Greater Journey", it's boundaries were too broad to be as tight a story as "1776" or "Truman"... 2 of his classic works!
Another obstacle to overcome is that the subject matter delves into the lives and works of those who made sculptures & paintings. In the format of an audible book (i.e., no photos) and myself not being an art historian, I found it hard to fully appreciate the works McCullough was describing.
David McCullough reads a portion of the book and his voice is so rich I would pay to listen to him reading soup can labels. Edward Hermann is in the same class and he makes audible listening experiences a REAL joy!
If you're a devotee of the works of David McCullough, you'll enjoy this work! But if you're new to his works, I wouldn't place this at the top of the list.

Entertaining and highly informative. The 19th century Americans overseas are well-fleshed out in these narratives. The French are laid bare to expose their worst foibles and endearing eccentricities.

This book is wonderfully difficult to describe. It is a loosely connected collection of stories about Americans who spent time in Paris. However the richness of the stories and the power of their personalities shine. I felt a connection with almost all of the individuals.

Beyond just the biographical vignettes, the book is a wonderful look at life at the time. The chapter on the training of doctors will no doubt make you thankful for our medical advances today. The details that McCullough gives on various topics from transportation to medicine to revolutions are tremendous.

The first section is narrated by McCullough himself. I love his voice and was afraid the narration would drop in quality, but Herrmann does a spectacular job.

Hate to "dis" the audio version but you simply have to have the maps, illustrations, maybe even illustrations beyond what the print version offers. Nevertheless, very good. That said, this author writes to illuminate, not to fit readers' expectations. That is commendable. It also produces books that are admirable to say the least but do not in fact always entertain as much as their quality might merit. Good read but be ready to think not just listen.