1066, The Year of the Conquest  •  David Howarth HISTORY •  1981 •  PAPER  • 207 PAGES A concise, lucid history of the Battle of Hastings, rich in anecdotal detail. Howarth relies on the few medieval sources available to reconstruct the events leading up to and the consequences of the famous battle. As much a master storyteller as an adept historian, he provides insight into the court intrigue, personalities and daily life in the Norman period. (GBR115, $14.00)
Adventures on the Wine Route, A Wine Buyer's Tour of France  •  Kermit Lynch BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1990 •  PAPER  • 271 PAGES A delightful, warmly anecdotal book, highly recommended for anyone touring the wine regions of France. Its author, a wine importer, is head over heels in love with French wine -- and those who produce it. Divided geographically, the book brings the domains and appellations of French wine into full-blown life. His portraits of the grand personalities who make wine are priceless. With black and white photographs of his friends and colleagues, including the venerable Madame de Lacaussade of Chateau de l'Hospital in the Graves district near Bordeaux. (FRN72, $18.00)
The Age of the Cathedrals, Art and Society 980-1420  •  Georges Duby HISTORY •  1983 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES The definitive historical study of the building of the great cathedrals. French scholar Duby, writing very accessibly, describes the cathedrals themselves, and the philosophical, religious, and political climate that enabled them to be built. (EUR01, $28.00)
Alias Olympia, A Woman's Search for Manet's Notorious Model and Her Own Desire  •  Eunice Lipton BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1999 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES Not just another naked woman in a painting (to quote the author), Victorine Meurent figured in nine of Manet's paintings during the years 1862-1874, bewildering contemporary audiances with her frank gaze. Lipton, an art historian with feminist flair, combines biography, art history and memoir in this intriguing detective story. (FRN220, $17.95)
Alsace et Lorraine Map 516  •  Michelin Travel Publications MAP An up-to-date regional map at the very good scale of 1:200,000 published by Michelin. All of France is covered in 21 regional maps. (FRN158, $11.95)
Aquitaine Map  •  Michelin MAP A regional map of the Aquitaine region, including Bordeau and Biarritz, at a scale of 1:200,000. All of France is covered in 21 regional maps. (FRN205, $11.95)
Around the World in Eighty Days, The Extraordinary Journeys  •  Jules Verne LITERATURE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 247 PAGES A complete, critical edition of Verne's classic novel, in which Phileas Fogg and company romp around the world, rescuing princesses and evading Detective Fix. (FRN288, $9.95)
Art and Architecture in France, 1500-1700  •  Richard Beresford  •  Anthony Blunt ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES A depiction of artistic endeavors that were born in 16th- and 17th-century France. This book portrays architecture of the chateaux of the Loire Valley, Versailles, paintings by Poussin and Claude, as well as the sculpture of Coysevox. Organized chronologically, it provides an overview of the principle works of the period, as well as their creators. (FRN242, $37.00)
Art and Illusion  •  E. H. Gombrich ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 512 PAGES A classic study on the ever-evolving relationship between perception and art. (ART15, $37.95)
Art and Society in the Middle Ages  •  Georges Duby ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES A study of the relationship between the production of art and the nature of Medieval society. Noted French historian Georges Duby draws on religion, culture, government, geography, and, of course, artistic pursuits in this portrait of the Middle ages. (EUR85, $30.55)
Artists and their Museums on the Riviera  •  Alan Halpern  •  Barbara F. Freed GUIDEBOOK •  1998 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES For a good part of the 20th century, the French Riviera was home to some of Europe's most celebrated artists. This book covers 28 museums on the Riviera, discussing the works of such masters as Picasso, Renoir, Matisse and Cocteau. Museum hours, telephone numbers and historical information are combined with black-and-white and color photographs of many of the works you will see. (FRN133, $19.95)
Artists in Residence  •  Dana Micucci ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 143 PAGES This attractively illustrated guide features an overview of each French artist's home or studio in or around Paris, travel information, and a good selection of color photographs and reproductions of paintings. The author, a journalist and photographer specializing in the arts, includes among others Monet's famous cottage at Giverny, Van Gogh at home in Auvers, Courbet's 18th-century townhouse in Ornans, and Delacroix's Parisian studio. An excellent guide for day-long excursions outside Paris with a focus on nature and art. (FRN353, $19.95)
At Home in France  •  Ann Barry TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 247 PAGES Subtitled "Tales of an American and Her House Abroad," this account of life in a small village in southwestern France is shot through with Barry's irony and New York outlook on life. A part-time visitor -- and no homebody despite the title -- she includes her excursions to Rocamadour, Brittany, Provence and other regions in search of fun and food. Barry was a travel editor at the "New Yorker" and "New York Times." (FRN215, $19.00)
The Autumn of the Middle Ages  •  Johan Huizinga HISTORY •  1997 •  PAPER  • 467 PAGES A pioneering work of social and cultural history, this classic volume is a richly detailed portrait of life, thought and art in 14th- and 15th-century France and the Netherlands. You may have read this book in your college history class, but this graceful new translation is well worth a re-visit before journeying to these regions. With 45 illustrations complementing Huizinga's focus on the art and architecture. (EUR17, $25.00)
Auvergne-Limousin Map 522  •  Michelin MAP A regional map of Auvergne-Limousin, including Limoges and St.-Etienne, a scale of 1:200,000. All of France is covered in 21 regional maps. (FRN62, $11.95)
Avignon Map  •  IGN MAP A French-produced city map of Avignon. (FRN293, $9.95)
Battle of Normandy 1944 Map  •  Michelin Travel Publications MAP A detailed map of Normandy at a scale of 1:200,000 showing the main sites of the summer 1944 battle. This nifty map is an antique-feeling reproduction of a map originally published by Michelin in 1947. The main map is thick with place names, and features special icons denoting battle dates and parachute drops, as well as an inset showing the broader movements of the forces. (FRN264, $12.95)
The Bayeux Tapestry  •  David Wilson ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 234 PAGES The extraordinary Bayeux Tapestry is on display in the town of Bayeux in Normandy. Its colorful embroidery and Latin text tell the story of the Norman victory over England, led by William the Conqueror, at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This full-color reproduction of the Tapestry highlights its lively illustrations, and Wilson gives an outline of this exciting point in Medieval history. (FRN445, $50.00)
Between Meals, An Appetite for Paris  •  A.J. Liebling BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2004 •  PAPER  • 182 PAGES • FAVORITE Liebling unleashes his stylish prose on his own coming-of-age in Paris in this elegant memoir. A large man with an even larger appetite, he recalls many great meals, fine wines and unforgettable companions. Beware, it will send you straight to the nearest restaurant. (FRN32, $14.00)
Birds of Europe  •  Killian Mullarney  •  Lars Svensson  •  Dan Zetterstrom  •  Peter J. Grant FIELD GUIDE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 400 PAGES • FAVORITE This Princeton Field Guide features 3,500 illustrations by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom. Color plates depict every species -- and sometimes several different variants -- for 722 birds found from the Urals to the Atlantic, Scandinavia to the Middle East. (FG47, $29.95)
Blue Guide Burgundy  •  Ian Ousby GUIDEBOOK •  1992 •  PAPER  • 191 PAGES Invaluable for its many site plans and town maps, this compact guide focuses on the art and architecture of the region. With a good general overview and suggested routes. (FRN76, $19.95)
Bordeaux Map  •  IGN MAP A detailed map of the city of Bordeaux and surrounding areas at a scale of 1:13,000 with index. Published by IGN, the French National Geographic Institute. (FRN295, $9.95)
Bordeaux Wine Region Map  •  IGN MAP A regional map of Bordeaux, shown at a scale of 1:250,000. (FRN203, $12.95)
Boundaries, The Making of France and Spain in the Pyrenees  •  Peter Sahlins HISTORY •  1991 •  PAPER  • 351 PAGES A learned, provocative study of the frontier of France and Spain -- and the struggles between national and cultural identities in the Pyrennes. It's a scholarly work focused on Cerdanya, but also an authoritative and informative overview of what happened when Catalon was arbitrarily split between France and Spain in 1659. (SPN154, $26.95)
Bourgogne Map  •  IGN 2007 •  MAP A map of Burgundy at a scale of 1:250,000. (FRN262, $11.95)
The Bretons  •  Patrick Galliou  •  Michael Jones HISTORY •  1996 •  PAPER  • 334 PAGES An engaging, scholarly history of the Bretons, from prehistoric to modern times. Galliou and Jones present a wealth of literary and archaeological evidence in exploring the traditions, culture and identity of the Breton people, tracing their Armorican roots. A volume in the Peoples of Europe series. (FRN239, $29.95)
Brittany Map  •  Michelin Travel Publications MAP A regional map of Brittany by Michelin at the very good scale of 1:200,000. These highly recommended maps include major and minor roadways, GR trails, good topographic details, towns, villages and tourist attractions. All of France is covered in 21 maps. (FRN79, $11.95)
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept  •  Paulo Coelho LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 179 PAGES From the wildly popular Brazilian author Paulo Coelho comes this magical tale of a woman who follows a former childhood friend through the French Pyrenees. The friend, a man she has not seen in years, has become a spiritual guide (and some say, a miracle worker), who leads her on a unforgettable romantic journey of discovery and enlightenment. (FRN221, $13.95)
Cadogan Guide Brittany  •  Philippe Barbour GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 507 PAGES A comprehensive, practical guide in the British series with 23 maps and city places, extensive, annotated listings of restaurants and accommodations and a section of color photographs. (FRN383, $19.95)
Cadogan Guide Gascony & the Pyrenees  •  Dana Facaros  •  Michael Pauls GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 364 PAGES This illustrated guidebook to Southwest France includes 6 color maps, historical and cultural background and practical town-by-town travel information. (FRN446, $18.95)
Carmen and Other Stories  •  Prosper Merimee  •  Nicholas Jotcham LITERATURE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 361 PAGES A sophisticated Parisian, Merimee preferred tales of high drama, banditry, outlaws and outcasts set in exotic locales, preferably in the past. This collection of nine stories includes: Carmen, the source for the opera; Columba, set in Corsica; the Etruscan Vase, one of his Parisian tales; The Storming of the Redoubt, involving Napoleon's 1812 Russian campaign; and Lokis, set in the forests of Medieval Lithuania. (FRN201, $13.95)
The Catalans  •  Patrick O'Brian LITERATURE •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 224 PAGES Patrick O'Brian's tale of a family in crisis is set against the sun-drenched backdrop of the Pyrenees town of Saint-Feliu in French Catalonia, where O'Brian made his home. This his long out-of-print second novel. (FRN511, $23.95)
Cathedrals and Castles, Building in the Middle Ages  •  Alain Erlande-Brandenburg ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 175 PAGES • HARD TO FIND ELSEWHERE A slim encyclopedia of the art, architecture and culture of the Middle Ages. This volume in the acclaimed "Discoveries" series features hundreds of drawings and color illustrations, a brief chronology and more information than you would imagine between its slim covers. Take it along to gain a better appreciation of the Middle Ages and its legacy in Europe. (MED07, $12.95)
Centre Map 518  •  Michelin Travel Publications MAP A colorful map of central France, including the Loire valley, Tours, Orelans and Bourges, at a scale of 1:200,000. (FRN241, $11.95)
Chagall, The Art of Dreams  •  Daniel Marchesseau ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 176 PAGES As a Russian Jew in Paris, Marc Chagall developed a hybrid painting style, part French modernism, part Cubism, part Surrealism, and infused with the traditions of his religious upbringing. A volume in the "Discoveries" series, this is a slim introduction to the man and his work, richly illustrated throughout with color reproductions. (FRN268, $12.95)
Chamonix to Zermatt, The Walker's Haute Route  •  Kev Reynolds GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 187 PAGES A comprehensive, practical guide to the classic Haute Route (with suggested alternatives). Apart from covering each segment of the long-distance walk, the book features a 30-page introduction to the region and good information on preparation. With photographs and sketch maps. The author, Kev Reynolds, has written a series of walking guides in Switzerland and the Alps published by Cicerone Press in Great Britain. (ALP21, $19.95)
Chamonix, Mont Blanc Massif (East)  •  IGN MAP • COMING IN SEPTEMBER This fabulously detailed topographic map (scale 1:25,000) shows the eastern portion of the Mont Blanc group. In combination with the same publisher's map of the western part of the range (Item FRN315), it's the best map for hikers doing the Mont Blanc circuit. (FRN314, $16.95)
Champagne-Ardennes Map 515  •  Michelin Travel Publications MAP A regional map at 1:200,000 scale, with topographic details, city plans and attractions. (FRN159, $11.95)
The Chronicle of Impressionism  •  Bernard Denvir ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES The personal lives of artists such as Monet and Manet are captured within the historical context of the Impressionism movement in this illustrated history. (FRN230, $29.95)
Citizen Soldiers  •  Stephen Ambrose HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 528 PAGES Told through the perspectives of Allied soldiers on the front lines, this is Ambrose's account of the battles fought in the year between D-Day and the German surrender. Visceral and well researched, it's subtitled "The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany, June 7, 1944 to May 7, 1945." (WAR19, $18.00)
Citizens, A Chronicle of the French Revolution  •  Simon Schama HISTORY •  1990 •  PAPER  • 948 PAGES A detailed account of the French Revolution from the eminent historian Simon Schama. With penetrating insight, this impressive work chronicles the events, the rhetoric and the personalities of this turbulent period in French history. Recognized as one of the best books of the decade by Time magazine. (FRN115, $29.95)
Clara's Grand Tour, Travels With a Rhinoceros in Eighteenth-century Europe  •  Glynis Ridley HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES The entertaining history of a most unusual eighteenth-century European celebrity. Clara the Indian rhinoceros was brought to Europe in 1741 by the Dutch sea captain Douwemout Van der Meer, and toured for seventeen years, to the delight of heads of state such as Louis XV and Frederick the Great. A marvelous and unique look at the introduction of Eastern wildlife into the Western world. (FRN536, $12.00)
Claude Monet  •  William Seitz ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1983 •  HARD COVER  • 128 PAGES A short survey of Monet's greatest works, with analysis of individual paintings and 48 color plates. (FRN249, $24.95)
Claude Monet, The Color of Time  •  Virginia Spate ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES A critically lauded analysis of Monet and his art. Professor Virginia Spate provides in-depth interpretations of individual works, taking into account technique, the evolution of themes and styles, historical and biographical information, exhibition, reception, and letters written by Monet, himself. What results is an impeccably researched, convincing and beautifully illustrated overview of a much more complex artist than previously thought. (FRN311, $39.95)
Claudine's House  •  Colette  •  Doris Lessing LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 166 PAGES A marvelous new translation of Colette's warm, sensual account of growing up under her mother's watchful care in the south of France. Written 20 years after her wildly popular Claudine novels. (FRN570, $15.95)
Coming Down the Seine  •  Robert Gibbings TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES A classic account, in words and engravings, of Gibbing's 400-mile journey down the Seine from its source near Dijon across France to Le Havre. He includes towns and cities along the river and the art and arists who have been inspired by the Seine. Originally published in 1953. With 50 engravings by the author, who had a fondness for rivers. (FRN443, $15.00)
Companion Guide Burgundy  •  Robert Speaight  •  Francis Pagan GUIDEBOOK •  2000 •  PAPER  • 385 PAGES A personable district-by-district guide to Burgundy, this intelligent (and very British) book interweaves maps, some illustrations and plenty of opinionated detail regarding local geography, history and culture. Revised and updated by Francis Pagan. (FRN73, $34.95)
Companion Guide Gascony and Dordogne  •  Richard Barber GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 348 PAGES A comprehensive, serious-minded guide to the architecture, art and culture of Gascony and Dordogne, combining descriptions of each attraction with personal anecdote. With black-and-white photos and maps throughout. (FRN06, $34.95)
The Complete Claudine  •  Colette LITERATURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 560 PAGES A collection of four short novels about coming of age as a woman in turn-of-the-century France. Colette beautifully evokes period and place in this vivid portrait of Victorian Paris. The first novel, Claudine at School, launched the series -- and Colette's writing career. The story continues with Claudine in Paris, Claudine Married, and Claudine and Annie. (FRN125, $20.00)
The Complete Jewish Guide to France  •  Toni Kamins GUIDEBOOK •  2001 •  PAPER  • 238 PAGES A well research compact travel guide with a short overview of Jewish history and plenty of practical travel information on where to go and what to do. Organized geographically, the book includes synagogues, cemeteries, museums and other sites of Jewish interest (FRN349, $17.95)
The Complete Letters of Vincent Van Gogh  •  Vincent Van Gogh BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 1864 PAGES A handsome three volume set containing all the available letters written by Vincent Van Gogh. Mostly addressed to his brother Theo, these are an illuminating glimpse into the life of an artist and a heart-breaking account of mental illness. A replica of the set published in the 1950s by the New York Graphic Society, this is the most comprehensive collection available, illustrated with reproductions of all the original drawings that appeared in the letters. It is a "must-have" for all Van Gogh enthusiasts. (NTH35, $100.00)
A Concise History of France  •  Roger Price HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 380 PAGES A compact survey of French history, events and personalities from medieval times to the early 1990s in the series by Cambridge University Press. (FRN269, $25.99)
The Cook and the Gardener, A Year of Recipes and Writings from the French Countryside  •  Amanda Hesser FOOD •  1999 •  HARD COVER  • 632 PAGES An American cook -- of all things -- at Chateau de Fey in Burgundy, the author records her recipes and growing fondness for Monsieur Milbert, the very French gardener, in this narrative cookbook. It includes 250 month-by-month recipes, which draw heavily on M. Milbert's garden, and some fine observations on local people and places. The chateau is owned by teacher and author Anne Willan. (FRN85, $32.50)
The Count of Monte Cristo  •  Alexandre Dumas  •  David Coward LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 1168 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS The classic adventures of the wrongly imprisoned French sailor Edmond Dantes. Accused of abetting the exiled Napoleon, Dantes must vindicate himself -- but first he must escape an impenetrable island fortress. What ensues is an absorbing tale of hidden treasure, guile and revenge. (FRN122, $13.95)
D-Day June 6, 1944, The Climactic Battle of World War II  •  Stephen Ambrose HISTORY •  1995 •  PAPER  • 655 PAGES Written by the best-selling historian Stephen Ambrose, this well researched book draws together interviews and government documents to tell the gripping tale of June 6, 1944. This comprehensive account of D-Day contains 32 pages of photos and eight maps. (FRN40, $18.00)
A Day in the Country and Other Stories  •  Guy de Maupassant LITERATURE •  1990 •  PAPER  • 336 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A collection of 28 short stories, set mostly in de Maupassant's native Normandy. (FRN307, $10.95)
The Debacle  •  Emile Zola LITERATURE •  1973 •  PAPER  • 509 PAGES Part of the "Penguin Classics" series, this is Zola's novel of the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune, as seen through the stories of common soldiers. Strong on historical detail, it remains one of the most famous and powerful pieces on these devastating conflicts. (FRN251, $15.00)
Degas  •  Keith Roberts ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1993 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES A quick illustrated survey of Degas' work in "The Colour Library" series published by Phaidon. (ART26, $9.95)
Degas and the Dance  •  Jill Devonyar  •  Richard Kendall ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 304 PAGES A gorgeous exhibition catalog and the most comprehensive collection of Degas' portraits of dancers. Obviously, the paintings are all here, but so too are the pastels, drawings and sculptures. (ART27, $49.95)
Degas, Impressions of a Great Master  •  Gerhard Gruitrooy ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 144 PAGES An attractive portfolio of Degas' best works. (ART25, $16.98)
Dora Bruder  •  Patrick Modiano  •  Joanna Kilmartin BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1999 •  HARD COVER  • 119 PAGES • COMING IN Modiano traces the fate of a 15-year-old Jewish girl, who was deported from France to Auschwitz in 1942. The result of a ten-year investigation, his extended essay is a moving personal meditation on loss, interweaving the bare facts of Dora Bruder's story with his own family history. It evokes the atmosphere of Paris during the Nazi Occupation. A celebrated contemporary novelist, many of Modiano's many novels are also set in and around Paris. (FRN200, $19.95)
Dordogne Map  •  IGN MAP Centered on Perigueux, this French-made map covers the Dordogne at a scale of 1:140,000. (FRN60, $9.95)
The Dreyfus Affair, 'J'accuse' and Other Writings  •  Eleanor Levieux  •  Alain Pages  •  Emile Zola LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 248 PAGES A scholarly edition of "J'accuse" -- Zola's humanist denunciation of the arrest of Alfred Dreyfus -- as well as letters, articles and documents pertaining to the controversy and to Zola's own subsequent arrest for sedition. In 1894 a Jewish captain in the French army, falsely accused of espionage, was deported to Devil's Island. His trial ignited an enormous popular debate, forever after known as "The Dreyfus Affair", as some French aired their anti-Semitic grievances while others (Emile Zola among them) excoriated their xenophobic countrymen. (FRN289, $22.00)
Edouard Manet  •  Pierre Courthion ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1984 •  HARD COVER  • 128 PAGES Featuring 40 color plates and 115 illustrations, this book is a good survey of the life and work of Manet. (FRN378, $24.95)
Edouard Manet, Rebel in a Frock Coat  •  Beth Archer Brombert BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1997 •  PAPER  • 506 PAGES Brombert delves into a study of Manet's personal life and social mileu in order to examine the ambiguities surrounding his art and the scandal it provoked in the 19th century art world. This work weighs in on the debate concerning whether Manet's intended to revolutionize art, conceding the artist more credit for his intellectualism and imagination than many earlier studies of his life. She also examines his relationship with women and provides readings of his important works. Illustrated with 70 halftones. (FRN377, $19.95)
Eleanor of Aquitaine, A Life  •  Alison Weir BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2001 •  PAPER  • 464 PAGES An extremely well-researched, enjoyable biography of the woman who was both queen of France (married to Louis VII) and queen of England (married to Henry II). Eleanor became a political and artistic powerbroker in an age when most women were seen but not heard. (FRN287, $17.00)
Encore Provence  •  Peter Mayle TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 226 PAGES Peter Mayle returns to Provence to detail the life of the village that the tourist never sees. Encore Provence combines personal reflections with a knowledgeable travel advise, providing yet another alluring portrait of southern France. (FRN128, $12.95)
An Englishman A La Campagne, Life in Deepest France  •  Michael Sadler TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 182 PAGES A humourous, quirky narrative of Englishman Michael Sadler making do in rural France, filled with anecdotes that convey the charm of the French countryside and the unavoidable mishaps that accompany Sandler's immersion in local life. (FRN569, $12.95)
The Enormous Room  •  George James Firmage  •  E. E. Cummings LITERATURE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 278 PAGES A fictional account of the poet's four-month confinement in France during World War I. A volunteer with a Red Cross ambulance unit on the western front, Cummings and a friend were (falsely) imprisoned in a French camp at La Ferte-Mace in Normandy for bad behavior. His witty and absorbing account of the experience is also the first of his many published challenges to authority. First published in 1922, this Liveright edition of the original manuscript edited George James Firmage, includes Cumming's drawings and material excised from the first edition. (WAR33, $14.95)
The Essential Touring Cyclist, A Complete Course for the Bicycle Traveler  •  Richard A. Lovett REFERENCE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES A great introduction for the beginner biker and a useful refresher for experienced cyclists. Includes hints for planning your tour, safe riding techniques and practical advice about traveling with your bike, be it overseas or across America. (BCY01, $16.95)
Eyewitness Guide Loire Valley  •  Eyewitness Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 264 PAGES Visually rich, comprehensive, and practical, this guidebook is an excellent introduction to the history, culture and attractions of the Loire Valley. Highly recommended. (FRN43, $23.00)
Eyewitness Guide Provence & the Cote D'Azur  •  Roger Williams GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES This superb guide, another entry in the excellent Eyewitness series, features color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and a district-by-district synopsis of attractions in both Provence and the Riviera. Handsome, comprehensive and convenient, this is the guide to carry. (FRN18, $23.00)
Eyewitness Handbooks, Mushrooms  •  Gary Lincoff  •  Thomas Laessoe NATURAL HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES A comprehensive guide to mushrooms around the world featuring 2300 color photographs. The book depicts 500 species of mushroom, plus information about fruiting season, edibility, and natural habitat. (FG54, $18.95)
Eyewitness Phrase Book, French  •  Eyewitness Guides LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2003 •  PAPER  • 144 PAGES A pocket phrasebook and mini-dictionary to getting around in French, mai oui. Organized thematically (FRN263, $7.00)
Floating Through France, Life Between Locks on the Canal Du Midi  •  Barb Euser TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 200 PAGES A lovely collection, evoking the dreamy French countryside along the banks of the Canal du Midi, Europe's oldest functioning canal. The essays and poems are the reflections of a group of writers who slipped along the canal together in two old boats in the summer of 2005. (FRN572, $14.95)
Fodor's France  •  Fodor's GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 864 PAGES An excellent all-around guidebook to sightseeing, dining and accommodations throughout France. With dozens of local maps, suggested itineraries -- and a pull-out, full-color Rand McNalley map. Updated annually, Fodor's guides are getting better all the time. (FRN180, $22.95)
Fodor's Paris' 25 Best  •  Fodor's GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES This slim guide to Paris includes an excellent map of the center of the city and essential information on its highlights, including restaurant recommendations and sightseeing. (FRN41, $11.95)
France and the French, A Modern History  •  Rod Kedward CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2007 •  PAPER  • 736 PAGES A sweeping, in-depth history of France from 1900 to the present day, from the disasterous world wars to the crumbling of the empire to France's modern place in the European Union. (FRN573, $24.95)
France in Mind  •  Alice Powers ANTHOLOGY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES This wonderful selection of essays, excerpts and stories filters the experience of being in France through the lens of 33 British and American writers. (FRN384, $14.00)
France on the Brink, A Great Civilization Faces the New Century  •  Jonathan Fenby CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1999 •  PAPER  • 449 PAGES A timely cultural portrait by a British journalist, Francophile and, since 1995, editor of Hong Kong's South China Morning Post. It's a lively account, interweaving current events, travel, commentary history and culture. A practiced journalist with a 40-year history in France, Fenby is a terrific guide to the Gallic character. Apart from his obvious wit and love of life, Fenby's addiitonal credentials include a French wife -- and a French Order of Merit. (FRN175, $16.95)
France, Long Distance Footpaths Map Grande Randonnee  •  IGN MAP A map of all of France, highlighting the Grande Randonnee, shown at a 1:1,000,000 scale. Each of the long distance walking paths are numbered and indicated in red. It's an excellent planning guide to the network of almost 60,000 kilometers of paths throughout France. (FRN347, $11.95)
French Cheeses  •  Joel Robuchon FOOD •  2000 •  PAPER  • 235 PAGES Cheese gets the distinctively visual "Eyewitness" treatment in this guide to 350 French varieties, which features 700 color photographs and concise text by a variety of contributors on topics including production, aroma and menu-building. With a foreword by Joel Robuchon. (FRN321, $20.00)
French English Bilingual Visual Dictionary  •  DK Publishing LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2005 •  PAPER  • 360 PAGES With thousands of neatly arranged color photographs, this compact book is impressively comprehensive, covering everything from the basics of le corps (body) to the vocabulary of la buanderie (utility room). With a handy reference section in the back. (FRN520, $12.95)
French Gastronomy  •  Jean-Robert Pitte  •  Jody Gladding FOOD •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 176 PAGES In this illuminating short book, Jean-Robert Pitte, ardent gastronome and proud French citizen, attributes his country's culinary prowess to its diverse and fertile geography -- and its fussy absolutist monarchs. (FRN346, $32.50)
French in 10 Minutes a Day  •  Kristine Kershul LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2002 •  PAPER  • 138 PAGES A workbook for the beginner. It's reminiscent of early language primers for elementary school children and an excellent way to master basic conversational French. With 150 sticky labels for common objects, flashcards, and a take-along laminated pocket pal with essential vocabulary. A good supplement to classes or a language program on tape. (FRN260, $19.95)
French Provincial Cooking  •  Elizabeth David  •  Juliet Renny  •  Julia Childs FOOD •  1999 •  PAPER  • 524 PAGES A much-loved book, first published in 1962 -- and now back in print after much anticipation. More than just a cookbook, David includes a long introduction on the origins of food traditions in France, and much historical information, commentary and regional geography throughout. (FRN174, $16.00)
The Frenchman  •  Philippe Halsman  •  Art Buchwald CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 108 PAGES This much-loved book, out of print for 50 years, captures something inimitable about the French. It's a highly visual Q&A, featuring the great portrait photographer Philippe Halsman (famous for the Life magazine portrait of Marilyn Monroe among other iconic images) and the vaudeville actor Fernandel. Halsman asked irreverent questions about America and recorded Fernandel's facial expression in response. With 24 black-and-white portraits and humorous accompanying captions on the difference between the French and Americans. (FRN574, $19.99)
Gardner's Art Through the Ages, Renaissance and Modern Art  •  Fred S. Kleiner  •  Helen Gardner  •  Horst De la Croix  •  Richard G. Tansey ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 624 PAGES A classic college text, now in its 10th edition. (GEN214, $68.00)
Gauguin  •  Robert Goldwater ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2004 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES A nice series of 116 reproductions of Gauguin's major works, nearly half of which are in color. Paintings, woodcuts and letters by the artist are all represented. (FRN281, $19.95)
Gauguin and the Nabis, Prophets of Modernism  •  Arthur Ellridge ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 223 PAGES (ART22, $27.50)
The Gothic Cathedral  •  Christopher Wilson ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES An illustrated overview of gothic cathedrals, their history, design and construction, covering the masterpieces built from the 12th to the 16th century. With photographs and diagrams. (EUR80, $34.95)
The Gothic Enterprise, A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral  •  Robert A. Scott ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 307 PAGES Scott, whose interest in the history of cathedrals began when he first saw the magnificent Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Salisbury, England, takes his reader on a historical, architectural and sociological tour of the magnificent spires and stained-glass windows that dot the landscape of Europe. It's an accessible, personable overview. (EUR190, $17.95)
The Gothic Enterprise, A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral  •  Robert A. Scott ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 307 PAGES Scott, whose interest in the history of cathedrals began when he first saw the magnificent Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Salisbury, England, takes his reader on a historical, architectural and sociological tour of the magnificent spires and stained-glass windows that dot the landscape of Europe. It's an accessible, personable overview. (EUR190, $17.95)
Graham Watson: 20 Years of Cycling Photography  •  Graham Watson HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 232 PAGES A collection of 250 of Watson's breathtaking, inside-the-track photographs of cycling races. (PHT15, $29.95)
Grands Vins, The Finest Chateaux of Bordeaux and Their Wines  •  Clive Coates FOOD •  1995 •  HARD COVER  • 816 PAGES From Britain's master wine critic comes this focused study of the Bordeaux region of France and its rich tradition of producing fine wine. Coates includes detailed information on Bordeaux's geography, chateaux, and varieties of grapes. (FRN210, $65.00)
Grenoble/Mont Blanc Map  •  IGN MAP A regional, topographic map of eastern France, covering Chamonix, Mont Blanc, Grenoble and Geneva, Switzerland, at a detailed scale of 1:100,000. (FRN256, $11.95)
The Guns of August  •  Barbara Tuchman HISTORY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 510 PAGES A prize-winning history of the fateful days of August, 1914, as Europe headed towards World War 1. (EUR123, $15.95)
Gustave Courbet  •  Sarah Faunce ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1993 •  HARD COVER  • 128 PAGES A wonderfully illustrated study of Gustave Courbet, the 19th century French realist painter. Nearly 100 plates of his paintings (40 in color) are accompanied by commentary from Sarah Faunce. This book is a good introduction to his work and his influence on the great French Impressionists. (FRN155, $24.95)
Gustave Moreau, Magic and Symbols  •  Genevieve Lacambre ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES A pocket-size biography of Moreau, this volume in the acclaimed "Discoveries" series discusses the Symbolist's influence on the development of 20th-century art -- as well as the myths, literature and art that were his own influences. Teacher to Matisse and Rouault, Moreau was a major figure in 19th-century French art. This book features many color illustrations and excerpts from the artist's letters and other writings. (FRN335, $12.95)
The Handbook for Touring Bicyclists  •  Frosty Wooldridge REFERENCE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 98 PAGES A practical and portable reference for traveling cyclists that offers up hints for the road with a sense of humor. (BCY04, $12.95)
Haute Cuisine, How the French Invented the Culinary Profession  •  Amy B. Trubek FOOD •  2001 •  PAPER  • 200 PAGES Written by an anthropologist who teaches at the New England Culinary Institute, this scholarly study probes the origins and evolution of French cuisine and its influence on modern menus throughout the world. (FRN320, $18.95)
Henri Matisse 1869-1954, Master of Color  •  Volkmar Essers ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 96 PAGES This slim book, an entry in Taschen's popular Basic Art series, features 300 color reproductions of Matisse's work along with brief accompanying text. (ART45, $9.99)
Here Is Where We Meet  •  John Berger LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES This novel weaves a portrait of several European countries through encounters with the dead, from the narrator's mother, whom he discovers on a park bench in Lisbon, to a childhood friend wandering a market in Krakow. "The dead don't stay where they are buried," the protagonist's mother tells him, and this becomes the mantra for this most unusual journey through Europe's history and people. (EUR189, $14.00)
Here Is Where We Meet  •  John Berger LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES This novel weaves a portrait of several European countries through encounters with the dead, from the narrator's mother, whom he discovers on a park bench in Lisbon, to a childhood friend wandering a market in Krakow. "The dead don't stay where they are buried," the protagonist's mother tells him, and this becomes the mantra for this most unusual journey through Europe's history and people. (EUR189, $14.00)
Horse of Pride, Life in a Breton Village  •  Pierre-Jakez Helias  •  June Guicharnaud LITERATURE •  1980 •  PAPER  • 368 PAGES A richly detailed book about Breton lives, culture and folklore looking back to 1908 to 1939. Not exactly a memoir nor anthropology, Helias's autobiographical stories of peasant life have qualities of both. Most distinctively, the book evokes ways of life among the peasants of Brittany long since disappeared in rich, earthy detail. With black-and-white photographs. Claude Chabrol made a film of the book (a bestseller in France), his 32nd. (FRN344, $25.00)
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame  •  Victor Hugo LITERATURE •  1976 •  PAPER  • 511 PAGES Evocative of medieval France, this is the compelling story of the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo, the gypsy Esmeralda and their struggles with Dom Frollo, the cruel, lusty archdeacon. (FRN124, $5.95)
The Hundred Years War: The English in France, 1337-1453  •  Desmond Seward HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES An engrossing portrait of the battles, personalities and society of Medieval England and France. A popular historian, this is but one of Seward's many books on Medieval Europe, dramatically told in vivid detail. (FRN329, $16.00)
I'll Always Have Paris, A Memoir  •  Art Buchwald BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1997 •  PAPER  • 236 PAGES A young columnist for the international edition of the "New York Herald Tribune," Art Buchwald traveled to Paris in the late 1940s and stayed in Europe for the next 15 years. This is his memoir of that time, an often humorous account of his adventures and the many people he met, including American expatriate writers Hemingway, Ginsberg and Wilder. The first half of the book deals exclusively with Buchwald's time in Paris, while the second half details his adventures in places such as Rome, London, Moscow, Warsaw and Istanbul. It follows his first memoir, "Leaving Home." (FRN188, $19.00)
Igor Stravinsky, An Autobiography  •  Igor Stravinsky BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1998 •  PAPER  • 176 PAGES A brief account of the life and work of Stravinsky (1882-1971), by the conductor himself, covering the first 50 years of his life in St. Petersburg, France and Switzerland. Originally published in 1956. (MUS18, $14.95)
Ile de France 514  •  Michelin MAP A colorful and detailed map of the region surrounding Paris at a scale of 1:200,000. All of France is covered in 21 maps. (FRN169, $11.95)
An Illustrated History of the First World War  •  John Keegan HISTORY •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 448 PAGES • COMING IN An illustrated edition of Keegan's outstanding history of the Great War, considerably enhanced by his selection of almost 500 photographs, maps, drawings and illustrations. The visuals clarify and augment his wide-ranging narrative of the origins, battles and consequences of WWI. (WAR16, $50.00)
Impressionism  •  James Henry Rubin ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 446 PAGES An excellent illustrated survey of Impressionism in the "Art and Ideas" series. (FRN223, $24.95)
Impressionism, Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society  •  Robert L. Herbert ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 324 PAGES A magnificently illustrated social history, this book shows the cafes, opera houses, dance halls and other places of entertainment and leisure that inspired the great Impressionist paintings. He brings mid 19th-century Paris to life with his insightful analysis and in 240 well chosen color illustrations. Scholarly and well written. (FRN117, $32.00)
Impressionism: Origins, Practice, Reception  •  Belinda Thomson ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES A short, readable account of the French Impressionist movement and its most notable artists, illustrated with color reproductions. Part of the "World of Art" series, this book's thoughtful analyses of individual works are illuminated by solid historical and cultural background. (FRN310, $16.95)
In a Dark Wood Wandering, A Novel of the Middle Ages  •  Hella Haasse LITERATURE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 594 PAGES With a cast of thousands including Joan of Arc and the Dukes of Burgundy, this 1949 historical novel renders the political intrigue, people and texture of 15th-century Europe. Haasse captures medieval court life during the Hundred Years War. (FRN86, $21.95)
In the South of France  •  Don Krohn ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1999 •  HARD COVER  • 117 PAGES Invoking artists and authors captivated by Provence and the south of France, photographer Don Krohn captures the magic light, rich colors and long traditions of the region. With an introduction to Provencal history and culture, generous excerpts from writers inspired by the south of France, and stunning color photographs. Krohn balances his portrayal of the landscapes, vineyards, fields and other natural features, with photographs of castles, medieval churches and chateaux. (FRN192, $45.00)
Indre et Loire Map  •  Institut Geographique National MAP Map of Indre et Loire at a scale of 1:125,000. (FRN367, $9.95)
Insight Guide French Riviera  •  Insight Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES With a touring map, this compact, illustrated, guide to the Riviera covers the villages, celebrated beach towns, culture and attractions of the region in detail. (FRN179, $18.95)
Joan of Arc  •  Mary Gordon BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 180 PAGES In this contemplative biography, Mary Gordon analyzes the legend of the 'Maid of Orleans" while examining the history of criticism surrounding her canonization. A volume in the "Penguin Lives" series. (FRN198, $19.95)
Joan of Arc, Her Story  •  Regine Pernoud  •  Marie-Vronique Clin BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1999 •  PAPER  • 330 PAGES This well researched history of Joan of Arc integrates documentary evidence to help readers develop an informed image of the Maid of Orleans and the influences of her time. Scholars Pernoud and Clin provide a meticulous account of the "historical Joan" through trial transcripts, letters, and other sources which present Joan as she appeared to her contemporaries. It's the first English translation of the best-selling French edition. (FRN202, $16.95)
Joan of Arc, Personal Recollections  •  Mark Twain LITERATURE •  1989 •  PAPER  • 452 PAGES Mark Twain's historical novel of Joan of Arc, first published in 1896. Struck by the 15th-century heroine's bravery and passion, it took Twain 12 years to complete "Personal Recollections," which he called his best work. The novel sticks closely to eyewitness and trial reports. (FRN199, $16.95)
Journey Through the Ice Age  •  Paul Bahn  •  Jean Vertut ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES • COMING IN Illustrated with extraordinary color photographs by Jean Vertut, this authoritative book is an excellent summary of Paleolithic art -- and particularly cave paintings -- throughout Europe. (EUR07, $27.50)
Karen Brown's France, Charming Bed & Breakfasts  •  Clare Brown GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 362 PAGES A survey of highly recommended bed and breakfasts throghout France. (FRN277, $19.95)
Karen Brown's France, Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries  •  Karen Brown GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 403 PAGES A survey of inns, castles and other lodging of character, along with suggested itineraries and highlights of each region. (FRN275, $19.95)
Knopf Guide Paris  •  Knopf Guides GUIDEBOOK •  1998 •  PAPER  • 552 PAGES A lavishly produced handbook to Paris, featuring dozens of maps and color photographs as well as good information on culture and history. Originally published in French by Gallimard. (FRN88, $27.50)
The Land of My Fathers, A Son's Return to the Basque Country  •  Robert Laxalt  •  Joyce Laxalt CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1999 •  HARD COVER  • 136 PAGES A portrait of the Basque culture and people, as seen through the eyes of Nevada writer Robert Laxalt, who traveled through the land of his ancestors in the 60s. This book, based on Laxalt's journals and complemented by his wife's photographs, captures the folkways of village life in mid-20th century French Pyrenees. (FRN162, $21.00)
Langenscheidt Pocket Bescherelle Verbs French  •  Langenscheidt LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2000 •  FLEXI-BOUND  • 338 PAGES A compact, highly recommended guide to common verbs in French. In sturdy yellow vinyl covers. (FRN338, $13.95)
Languedoc & Roussillon Map 526  •  Michelin Travel Publications MAP A frequently updated, detailed regional map at a scale of 1:200,000 by Michelin. With good topographic detail of southwest France, covering Perpignon, Beziers and the Canal du Midi. (FRN185, $11.95)
Lascaux: Movement, Space, and Time  •  Norbert Aujoulat ARCHAEOLOGY •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 208 PAGES A striking, oversize tour of the magnificent prehistoric cave of Lascaux, discovered by accident in 1940. With 100 stunning full-page color photographs, maps and explanatory diagrams by Nicolas Aujoulat, a geologist and art historian who directed the research on the cave from 1989-1999. (FRN232, $65.00)
Learn French the Fast and Fun Way  •  Elisabeth Leete LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2003 •  PAPER  • 250 PAGES A practical guide to learning basic French, aimed squarely at the traveler. This workbook includes commonly used expressions, activities, diagrams, quizzes, flash cards, maps and other features to jazz up the basic phrasebook approach. With a pull-out, 32-page dictionary. (FRN182, $18.95)
Legends and Romances of Brittany  •  Lewis Spence LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES The folklorist Lewis Spence compiled this broad anthology that draws on varying strains of the Breton tradition, including Arthurian legends, the lays of Marie de France and tales of Breton saints as well as more standard fairy stories. With chapters on the Breton people, their costume and customs. (FRN354, $11.95)
Les Miserables  •  Victor Hugo  •  Norman McAfee  •  Lee Fahnestock LITERATURE •  1987 •  PAPER  • 1463 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS The classic tale of redemption set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. (FRN123, $7.95)
Letters of Vincent Van Gogh  •  Vincent Van Gogh  •  Mark Roskill ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1997 •  PAPER A glimpse into the mind of tortured artist Vincent Van Gogh, this collection of his letters is a fascinating, often sad view of his thoughts on life and art. Most of the letters are written to his brother Theo, who supported Vincent up until his tragic suicide. (NTH22, $14.00)
Life and Food in the Basque Country  •  Maria Jose Sevilla FOOD •  1992 •  PAPER  • 170 PAGES A portrait of Basque life as seen through the people who practice its culinary traditions. Chapters profile the ways and history of Basque butchers, fishermen, housewives, kaiku-makers or society cooks, and others associated with food traditions. With a few recipes scattered throughout. (SPN125, $14.95)
Life With Picasso  •  Francoise Gilot BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1989 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES This intimate memoir is as much about Picasso's art as it is about Gilot's experiences with Picasso as a lover and companion. She met Picasso in Paris in 1943, during the German occupation of France, when she was 21 and he was 62. For ten years, she lived with the artist, gave birth to two of his children, and served as his model. She recounts their life together with careful attention to detail, combining memoir, art history and romance. (ART42, $15.00)
Life With Picasso  •  Francoise Gilot BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1989 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES This intimate memoir is as much about Picasso's art as it is about Gilot's experiences with Picasso as a lover and companion. She met Picasso in Paris in 1943, during the German occupation of France, when she was 21 and he was 62. For ten years, she lived with the artist, gave birth to two of his children, and served as his model. She recounts their life together with careful attention to detail, combining memoir, art history and romance. (ART42, $15.00)
Little-known Museums in and Around Paris  •  Rachel Kaplan GUIDEBOOK •  1996 •  PAPER  • 216 PAGES A high quality, illustrated guide to off-the-beaten-path museums in Paris. The author, a Paris-based journalist who runs her own cultural tourism company, presents thirty little-known artistic, cultural and historic museums on subjects ranging from music to crystal dolls to magic. (FRN16, $19.95)
Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring  •  Lonely Planet GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 1324 PAGES A practical guide to traveling Europe on a budget. (EUR137, $26.99)
Lonely Planet France  •  Steve Fallon GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 976 PAGES A practical guide to all of France featuring 147 maps, a good overview of culture, history and nature, and plenty of information on excursions, accomodations and sightseeing. It also includes 44 pages of color photographs. (FRN235, $24.99)
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook  •  Marie-Helene Girard  •  Anny Monet LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2008 •  PAPER A handy phrasebook for French basics. This guide focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler. (FRN120, $8.99)
Lonely Planet Walking in France  •  Sandra Bardwell  •  Miles Roddis  •  Gareth McCormack  •  Jean-ber Carillet GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 400 PAGES A compact guide to exploring France on foot with recommended, mostly two-day walks throughout the country. Each of the 60 featured walks includes highlights, suggested accommodations, access information, and a small black-and-white map adapted from the 1:25,000 IGN series. A full chapter is devoted to the 15-day demanding GR20 hike through the interior of Corsica. Day hikers too will find plenty of suggestions, from a trek across Paris to short walks in the Pyrennes. (FRN229, $24.99)
Long Ago in France, The Years in Dijon  •  M.F.K. Fisher FOOD •  1992 •  PAPER  • 159 PAGES A memoir of Fisher's years in France in the late '20s and early '30s, a time of exuberant discoveries of the glories of French food and French culture. (FRN21, $12.00)
Louise De La Valliere  •  Alexandre Dumas  •  David Coward LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 768 PAGES The middle book in the Musketeer's trilogy of love and adventure, set in the regin of Louis XIV (and based on actual historical events). The story, which begins with The Vicomte de Bragelonne, or, Ten Years After, ends with his well known The Man in the Iron Mask. An Oxford World Classic. (FRN332, $16.95)
Lust for Life  •  Irving Stone LITERATURE •  1989 •  PAPER  • 487 PAGES Emotionally charged, controversial and utterly readable, this well known, fictionalized biography probes the life of Van Gogh from his auspicious beginnings as a London art dealer to his death at 37. A real page-turner, this novel evokes the painter's struggles with madness and poverty. (NTH18, $17.00)
Madame Bovary  •  Gustave Flaubert LITERATURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 360 PAGES The landmark novel, controversial in its day, of a woman who suffers in search of relief from her humdrum life (and boring doctor husband) in a provincial village outside Rouen. Heart wrenching. First published in 1857. (FRN301, $11.00)
Making of the Middle Ages  •  Richard W. Southern HISTORY •  1953 •  PAPER A classic history of 10th to 13th century Europe, covering culture, politics and major personalites. (EUR105, $19.00)
Making Paradise: Art, Modernity, and the Myth of the French Riviera  •  Katherine Silver ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 192 PAGES A scholarly history of the Cote d'Azur from 1890 to the present with a focus on its impact on painters, architects and sculptors from the Neoimpressionists through the Fauves to contemporary artists. With 100 illustrations, 58 in color. Published in conjunction with an April to July 2001 exhibit at the AXA Gallery in New York. (FRN296, $38.00)</