Paris

Describes the history, culture, daily life, and points of interest of the capital city of France

Gr 5-7--A beautiful, superficial look at France's capital city. The full-color photographs are appealing and the book is attractively designed. However, Stein uses overwrought, cliched language and provides less information than an encyclopedia article. He discusses schools but says nothing about housing or the city's political divisions and government. He also overlooks sports, drama, and the media. The chapter on history skips from Julius Caesar to the French Revolution, from Napoleon III to World Wars I and II; not only is the Franco-Prussian War omitted (among other important events), but several dates are incorrect. Stein does no better in his coverage of Paris's famous sites. He inexplicably leaves out the controversial Pompidou center, which attracts more visitors than the Eiffel Tower. Other essentials are neglected as well--the Musee d'Orsay, the Tuileries, La Defense, the Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes, the Forum des Halles, and the Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie. Paris is pretty to look at, but the content doesn't match up to the pictures.

Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY

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