France Books - Page 5

The Roads to Santiago: The Medieval Pilgrim Routes Through France and Spain to Santiago de Compostela

Amazon Price: $37.80 List Price: $60.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Frances Lincoln Amazon Marketplace: 19 new & used starting at $35.71

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Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> Spain -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great impressions 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Although you can find books of any kind about the now so popular roads to Santiago, this one adds value by its beautiful pictures and well written impressions that go along them.
Especially, if you didn't take a camera along your own camino, this book is an addition.
It brought quite some memories back to my mind.
And it makes me long for other roads.

A Tour de Force 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is a Tour de Force. I've known about it for a few months now, but didn't expect to ever see it, because of the price. Fortunately someone, knowing my desire to read all things on the Camino, arranged to have it appear as a Christmas gift.

This is a gorgeous book, sized for coffee table display, and full of color photos. Most coffee table books are full of pictures with a few lines of descriptive text. The text in The Roads to Santiago could stand on its own as a work on pilgrimage architecture and history. It clearly was an immense amount of work to write. I wish the authors or publishers had seen fit to mention how long it to complete.

The definitive work still in print on the Camino de Santiago is Gitlitz and Davidson The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook. That work covers the architecture and history within the borders of Spain. Imagine Gitlitz and Davidson, in color, with bigger and better photos, including the four pilgrim routes through France, and you have some idea of The Roads to Santiago.

This four pound book is something I recommend to someone who has walked the Camino de Santiago, and is thirsty for more information. A few hours with this book and you will be thinking about booking a trip to France and starting down one of the French chemins.

Editorial Review:

According to legend, St. James the Apostle preached throughout the Iberian peninsula. His bones found their way to the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela and today many pilgrims make trips to the shrine. This fully illustrated book covers all the routes to this holy place from Paris and Spain. Providing readers with historical context for the routes, it showcases all the stunning monuments and magnificent landscapes along the way.

French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew

Peter Mayle

Amazon Price: $11.16 List Price: $13.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Vintage Amazon Marketplace: 94 new & used starting at $0.01

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Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Regional & International -> European -> French

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 46 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Cozy Read about France 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

"It was a pleasure just to be alive." ~ Peter Mayle, on his experience in France

Peter Mayle's "French Lessons" is an engaging book about French cuisine. He takes the reader off the beaten path to vicariously experience new discoveries. Along the way we find cooking advice (what type of pan to use when making an omelette), health spas, festivals, beaches, marathons and cheese eating competitions.

In one adventure Peter Mayle takes the reader to a Catholic mass which celebrates the expensive black truffle (they are auctioned off before lunch). His vivid prose enlivens the imagination. Through his writing we experience all the nuances he is enjoying.

As someone who makes her own croissants I am always eager to read about French cuisine. This is a warm cozy read, the type of book you curl up with in the winter or read in the summer in the shade.

If you love Peter's books I know you will adore: The "A Year in Provence" Movie.

~The Rebecca Review
Once I spent a weekend in Paris

Editorial Review:

Peter Mayle, francophile phenomenon and author of A Year in Provence, brings another delightful (and delicious) account of the good life, this time exploring the gustatory pleasures to be found throughout France.

The French celebrate food and drink more than any other people, and Mayle shows us just how contagious their enthusiasm can be. We visit the Foire aux Escargots. We attend a truly French marathon, where the beverage of choice is Chteau Lafite-Rothschild rather than Gatorade. We search out the most pungent cheese in France, and eavesdrop on a heated debate on the perfect way to prepare an omelet. We even attend a Catholic mass in the village of Richerenches, a sacred event at which thanks are given for the aromatic, mysterious, and breathtakingly expensive black truffle. With Mayle as our inimitably charming guide, we come away with a satisfied smile (if a little hungry) and the compelling desire to book a flight to France at once.

Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris

Sarah Turnbull

Amazon Price: $10.40 List Price: $13.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gotham Amazon Marketplace: 201 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 77 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

very real 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Our family lived in France from 1992-1995. Though it has been a few years now, all the memories of trying to adjust, fit in, make sense of France and the French, came flowing back through my mind as I read Sarah's book. Very well written, easy and enjoyable to read, she nails the frustrations, the puzzlements, and the occasional delights of living in this special European country.

Editorial Review:

A delightful, fresh twist on the travel memoir, Almost French takes us on a tour that is fraught with culture clashes but rife with deadpan humor.

Sarah Turnbull’s stint in Paris was only supposed to last a week. Chance had brought Sarah and Frédéric together in Bucharest, and on impulse she decides to take him up on his offer to visit him in the world’s most romantic city. Sacrificing Vegemite for vichyssoise, the feisty journalist does her best to fit in, although her conversation, her laugh, and even her wardrobe advertise her foreign status.

But as she navigates the highs and lows of this strange new world, from life in a bustling quartier and surviving Parisian dinner parties to covering haute couture fashion shows and discovering the paradoxes of French culture, little by little Sarah falls under its spell: maddening, mysterious, and charged with that French specialty—seduction.

French: Lonely Planet Phrasebook

Michael Janes, Lonely Planet Phrasebooks

List Price: $7.99 By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 11 new & used starting at $4.48

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

extremely useful 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I went to France not knowing any French except what I learned from songs, and somehow I didn't think knowing how to say "fish" and "will you go to bed with me?" would be good enough. This book was really great for a lot of different situations and was way more useful than my friend who claimed to know French from 3 years of high school. The pronunciations were particularly useful, although be careful if you get a "telecarte" as they might sell you minutes on a cell phone you don't have, not a telephone card.

Editorial Review:

Phrasebook in hand, bus ticket secured, you discover the bus driver shares your passion for Monet and fromage. He invited you to meet his family over a long lunch – another language-inspired success.

• extensive two-way dictionary & user-friendly sentence builder
• pronunciation for every word
• how to have fun with the French: food, wine and romance
• travelling basics: transport, health and shopping
• useful culinary dictionary for exploring gourmet options

Markets of Paris

Dixon Long, Ruthanne Long

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Little Bookroom Amazon Marketplace: 54 new & used starting at $6.97

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The only complete guide to every street market and market district in Paris, with beautiful full color photographs throughout


Perhaps the most pleasurable way for any visitor to feel at home in Paris–and one of the easiest ways to get to know the city–is to meander through any of its dozens of street markets. It's also the best way to find a wide variety of uniquely French gifts–from antique books and botanical prints to flea market finds and household goods–not to mention legendary cheeses, produce, and bounty of the French countryside.

The authors have explored and described every market in every neighborhood. They also have included streets that are devoted to selling one type of thing–from the centuries-old booksellers along the Seine to those lined with stores selling items as varied as fabric and discounted designer clothing.

And, for everyone who feels their time in the city is all too short, they have suggested itineraries based on the opening days of the markets with local restaurant recommendations.

Also included are tips, translations of important phrases, and pointers on what to look for so that the visitor will be able to make the most of this exhilarating and fun French experience.

All the market information is supplemented by sidebars that round out the experience, including a listing of favorite wine bars, a visit to the wood oven in the cellar of the famous bakery Poilane, and strolls down the best shopping streets in Paris.

The Little Black Book of Paris (Travel Guide) (Little Black Books)

Vesna Neskow

Amazon Price: $8.76 List Price: $10.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Peter Pauper Press, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 12 new & used starting at $5.88

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Paris info in a small package 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful little book that gives you the basics. The recommendations are mid to high end so don't expect lonely planet suggestions. The book also has a complete set of maps of the city as well as the Metro map. It is also very small, like a moleskine notebook, so it can easily fit anywhere. It's an elegant gift for anyone going to Paris, whether it's the first time or return visit.

Great information in easy-to-carry, concise book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I found this book on a shelf in a Parisian rental apartment. What a great discovery!! Of all the general tourist guides to Paris that I've read over the yrs, this is the at the top--clear, great info and suggestions not found in other guides, very lightweight which makes carrying it easy, a convenient elastic to bookmark. I love its size and information.
While I don't care if I look like wahat i ma--a tourist-fFor those who are somewhat afraid of looking too obviously like a tourist, this book is so small and discreet, youcould be perusing anything !
Hopefully it will eventually be released in a 2008 or 2009 edition, although its suggestions are quite current (i.e. restaurants, tour sites, etc) and extrememly useful in the 2006 edition.

Thank you, Vesna Neskow!

Editorial Review:

This ''Essential Guide to the City of Light'' is eminently portable and offers the very best of things to see and do in Paris. Targeted foldout area maps guide your explorations through the sights and neighborhoods of Paris, both on and off the beaten path. Insider tips accompany this compilation of must-not-miss landmarks; arts and entertainment venues; and places to eat, drink, shop, and stay. You can't do without it! 216 pages; 4-1/4 wide x 5-3/4 high; 10 foldout maps; concealed wire-o binding; book lies flat for ease of use; elastic band place holder.

Moleskine City Notebook Paris (Moleskine City Pocket Book)

Moleskine

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Moleskine - Model: Paris Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $9.97

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Features:

• The Key Map summaries the overall layout of the city, showing the sequence and location of the zone maps. Map of the metro system and list of stations.
• Up to 36 pages of zone maps, ranging in scale from 1:5,000 to 1:17,000 with large-scale maps of the city center, and an alphabetical street index. Size: 3.5 x 5.5"; 9 x 14 cm
• Up to 76 blank pages, giving you all the space you need to write, jot down useful information, and record your thoughts, stories, and memories.
• A personal, 96-page archive, with 12 tabs in two series of 6, so that everything that matters most is at your fingertips. The first 6 tabs are printed; the others are blank so you can personalize them with the enclosed adhesive labels.
• 32 removable sheets for loose notes and for exchanging messages. 12 translucent sticky sheets, to overlay and re-position, so that you can trace your route as you go.

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The first guidebook you write yourself.

Paris the City of Light is a beacon for travelers searching for romance culture cuisine shopping and more. Sitting on the steps of the Sacre Couer or in a café on the Seine record your inspirations and impressions in the Moleskine City Notebook Paris. The Key Map summarizes the overall city layout showing the sequence and location of the 12 zone maps and the 4 maps of the city center enlargement. Map of the metro system and list of stations plus the alphabetical street index of the zone maps. Blank pages for jotting down notes and recording your thoughts stories and memories. 32 removable sheets for loose notes and exchanging messages. 12 translucent sticky sheets for tracing your routes and sharing itineraries. A 96-page tabbed archive for collecting everything that matters most and keeping it at your fingertips. The first 6 tabs are printed; the others await your personalization with the enclosed adhesive labels.

Each pocket sized Moleskine City Notebook is thread bound and has a cardboard bound cover with rounded corners acid free paper three bookmarks an elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket that contains the Moleskine history.

France (Country Guide)

Nicola Williams

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Not yet published By: Lonely Planet

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Lonely Planet France 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

What I liked best about this book was the overview of the country. It gave history of the country and then also gave ideas on what to see and do if you want to enjoy learning the history of the country. If you aren't into that sort of thing this book offers the traveler ideas of places to go and things to see that are more modern and not necessarily educational/historic. This book also offers time and money saving tips and off the beaten path places to see and experience while you travel. If one is interested in doing specific tours or seeing certian things the book offers different tour packages in terms of what one might want to see or experience while in France. It is a great way to help narrow down and/or increase the amount of things to do or see when you visit France.

Editorial Review:

This book features new colour food chapter highlighting the regional diversity of cuisine, including in-depth information on cheese, bread and charcuterie.Local voice interviews give reader's a window into the people who define French culture. It provides in-depth coverage of French culture, food & wine, plus thorough explanations about how all these are intertwined and inseparable.We have included increased coverage of how and where to travel sustainably and support businesses that make a concerted effort to minimise their impact on the environment.

Top 10 Paris (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

DK Publishing

Amazon Price: $9.60 List Price: $12.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: DK Travel Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $5.50

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

An excellent planning resource! 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I'm not a seasoned or jaded traveler ... yet! Neophyte European travellers will find that experience and time are the limiting resources when it comes to pre-planning a first trip to a destination as large and complex as the City of Lights. The Eyewitness Travel Top 10 format provides more than enough details to allow for an informed choice between competing destinations but unlike many of the competing alternative guides, it makes no attempt to be encyclopedic drowning an unsuspecting reader in so much knowledge that choices become next to impossible.

Eyewitness Travel Guides seem to have the market beat by a long margin! That's not to say that Lonely Planet, Frommer, Michelin or the Blue and Green Guides miss the mark entirely but the Eyewitness series, in general, seems to be more informative. The photographs and illustrations instill a higher degree of keen anticipation and provide a better means of choosing in advance between a world of competing destinations and alternative tourist attractions. And I can't say enough about the Top 10 format ... dozens of lists - events, restaurants, hotels, museums, walks, churches, bars, great spots for children, insider tips and so much more. Whether your taste in vacations runs to exploring the hot night life spots or scoping out the most exciting history that museums and art galleries have to offer, Top 10 Paris will make your trip easier to plan and more enjoyable in the doing.

Portability, durability, sensible layout and organization not to mention the included maps of the city and the metro system make Top 10 Paris the correct choice to tote along with you while you're actually out and about in Paris as well.

Finally, Top 10 Paris is a great way of post-filling information and details into some of the holes or places that you might miss or have to rush through when you're actually on the trip. Along with photographs and trip journals, it's also a wonderful way to resurrect detailed memories of a trip long after you've returned home.

Paul Weiss

Editorial Review:

With a new design and unbeatable price, DK raises the bar on travel guides with its new Top 10 Travel Guide series. Whether on business or vacation, take the work out of planning any trip with DK's Top 10 Travel Guides. Building on the success of the Eyewitness Travel Guides, DK has created a new series that makes finding the best every destination has to offer even easier than before. Whether searching for the finest cuisine or cheapest places to eat, the most luxurious hotels or best deals on places to stay, the coolest family destination or hottest nightspot, the Top 10 format allows travelers to use the insights of experts to make the most of their vacation. Accompanied by a companion website, readers can share their experiences and vote for their own personal Top 10s.

Mediterranean Summer: A Season on France's Cote d'Azur and Italy's Costa Bella

David Shalleck, Erol Munuz

Amazon Price: $10.36 List Price: $12.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Broadway Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $5.13

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

“Saturday was dawning warm, with only a gentle wind under a light blue sky as we got under way. . . . With the motor cut out, I could hear the whispered splash of the sea against the hull as we knifed through the Mediterranean. The calming noise, along with the gentle rocking, lulled me into a Zen calm as I went about preparing the crew’s lunch. . . . By keeping just a couple of miles offshore, we had some beautiful sights to our starboard side: the harbor towns of La Napoule and quaint Théoule-sur-Mer, . . . the sensational coastline of the Corniche de l’Estérel. . . . All of this I could see through the porthole in the galley. . . . Italy was only a week away.”
La Dolce Vita at sea. . .

An alluring, evocative summer voyage on the Mediterranean and into the enchanting seaside towns of France’s Cote d’Azur and Italy’s Costa Bella by a young American chef aboard an Italian billionaire couple’s spectacular yacht.

Having begun his cooking career in some of New York’s and San Francisco’s best restaurants, David Shalleck undertakes a European culinary adventure, a quest to discover what it really means to be a chef through a series of demanding internships in Provence and throughout Italy. After four years, as he debates whether it is finally time to return stateside and pursue something more permanent, he stumbles on a rare opportunity: to become the chef on board Serenity, the classic sailing yacht owned by one of Italy’s most prominent couples. They present Shalleck with the ultimate challenge: to prepare all the meals for them and their guests for the summer, with no repeats, comprised exclusively of local ingredients that reflect the flavors of each port, presented flawlessly to the couple’s uncompromising taste— all from the confines of the yacht’s galley while at sea.

Serenity’s five-month journey starts on the French Riviera, continues along Italy’s western coast to Amalfi, crosses the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sardinia, up to Corsica, and back to St. Tropez for the season-ending regatta. Shalleck captures the glittery Riviera social scene, the distinctive sights and sounds of the unique ports along the way, the work hard/play hard life of being a crew member, and the challenges of producing world-class cuisine for the stylish and demanding owners and their guests. An intimate view of the most exclusive of worlds, Mediterranean Summer offers readers a new perspective on breathtaking places, a memorable portrait of old world elegance and life at sea, as well recipes and tips to recreate the delectable food.