The Personality of Paris

Reviews / Votes

Using his skill and experience as a historical geographer, Alan Baker provides an illuminating exposition of how the varied townscape of Paris came into being during the long nineteenth century. Enriched with an array of maps and illustrations, his depiction of the complex and always split personality of Paris is a most welcome contribution to our understanding of the appearance of the city. * Hugh Clout, Emeritus Professor, Department of Geography, University College London, UK * Alan Baker offers us an unprecedented look at the "personality of Paris" in the 19th century. Its historical geography takes on a new meaning thanks to a sensitive analysis of the Parisian space and Parisians. A remarkable work to discover to learn another Parisian geography. * Philippe Boulanger, Geographer and Professor, Sorbonne University, France * A work of great scholarship, erudition, and imagination, with an innovative structure and enormous range of data. [A] big success. * Robin Butlin, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of Leeds, UK * Its restraint ultimately makes this book a useful compendium for teaching and a valuable resource for undergraduates. The epilogue compellingly summarizes the complexities and tensions of Parisian history by describing the series of dualities at its heart-natives versus newcomers, clericalism versus secularism, workers versus the bourgeoisie, male versus female, day versus night, past versus future. * Nineteenth Century French Studies * Readers looking for discussion of nostalgia specific to the place of Paris will find satisfying sections about the transformative effects of Baron Haussmann's urban improvements and the preservationist movement ... This book offers an excellent, very readable synthesis of secondary literature that will serve to introduce the topic of Paris in the long nineteenth century to undergraduate and postgraduate students of social and cultural history. The book is also likely to appeal to students in different disciplines with interests in urban spaces and architectural design, food, entertainment, and fashion, and the ecological transition towards 'greening cities'. -- Elizabeth C. Macknight * Cultural and Social History *