Seven Ages of Paris

By: Alistair Horne

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

In this luminous portrait of Paris, the celebrated historian gives us the history, culture, disasters, and triumphs of one of the world's truly great cities. While Paris may be many things, it is never boring.

From the rise of Philippe Auguste through the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV (who abandoned Paris for Versailles); Napoleon's rise and fall; Baron Haussmann's rebuilding of Paris (at the cost of much of the medieval city); the Belle Epoque and the Great War that brought it to an end; the Nazi Occupation, the Liberation, and the postwar period dominated by de Gaulle - Horne brings the city's highs and lows, savagery and sophistication, and heroes and villains splendidly to life. With a keen eye for the telling anecdote and pivotal moment, he portrays an array of vivid incidents to show us how Paris endures through each age, is altered but always emerges more brilliant and beautiful than ever. The Seven Ages of Paris is a great historian's tribute to a city he loves and has spent a lifetime learning to know.

©2002 Alistair Horne (P)2018 Tantor

Not Alistair Horne’s Best Book

Despite what the French author of the introduction might claim, this is not Alistair Horne’s best book. If anything, it’s his most uneven.

The origins of Paris are passed over lightly – due perhaps to lack of verifiable facts. The Middle Ages are then skimmed over too, a treatment made even more annoying by Horne’s tone of voice. He seems to write as if everyone was just holding their breath, waiting for the Renaissance to happen. Or perhaps he’s just not altogether at home with his material.

Certainly, the book takes off once we reach the French Revolution and Napoleonic era – not surprising, seeing as that’s where Horne’s expertise begins. Then, through the Terror, Austerlitz, Waterloo, 1830, 1848, the debacle of 1870, the Commune, the near debacles of 1914 and 1917, the greater debacles of 1940 and 1969, Horne is at his very best. Nevertheless, it makes for a somewhat lopsided book. Halfway through, you realize you’ve covered more than a millennium – and the second half only covers the next 200-some odd years.

Derek Perkins turns in his usual polished, perfectly paced performance. When reading books of history or opinion, he always manages to sound as thoughtful as the author he’s reading.

Good history of Paris

I enjoyed this book and thought the history very interesting but sometimes things were said in French and not translated and that I didn’t like so I give it four stars

Excellent

Endlessly interesting. Well written. Looking forward to my next trip to Paris even more now.

Enjoyable entry into the history of Paris

Very enjoyable history of Paris and a brief primer on the history of France. Well read. as a non-French speaker there were many short phrases that were not translated which diminished the effect, but overall a good listen that moves quickly

Well researched

Thorough research throughout the different time periods, illuminated aspects of the different periods I hadn’t thought of. Could do without so much detail into the sexual aspects, was more than enough to get the point across and lingered too long, not as appropriate for all audiences.