A fascinating and refreshing look at a city that has been, at various times, the capital of nearly every aspect of life, from pleasure to science to human alienation. Higonnet plunges into some of the lesser-explored elements of the cities history, like the world of prostitution and the influence of the surrealists, always keeping in mind the mythology of Paris, which she sees as a major theme in the city's history. With a wide variety of well-chosen quotes, lyrics, literary excerpts and illustrations.  (FRN541, $22.50)