The Personality of Paris
Landscape and Society in the Long-Nineteenth Century
Published on 24. February 2022
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-1-350-25264-6 (ISBN)
Description
What was the personality of 19th-century Paris? To answer that question, this book eschews the conventional narrative and chronological route taken by most histories of Paris. Instead, it thematically analyses the complex personality traits of Paris from the onset of the Revolution of 1789 to the beginning of the Great War.
Starting with the topographical and cultural legacies that late 18th-century Paris inherited from its foundation in pre-Roman and Roman times and from its medieval infancy and early-modern adolescence, The Personality of Paris unpacks the social and material complexity of the 19th-century city. It considers the role of immigration in the making of Parisians and in the city's growth from half a million in 1801 to almost three million in 1911. It examines the making of its distinctive landscape through the construction of monuments and architectural icons, through its massive re-modelling by Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann, through its five world exhibitions, through its emphasis on food, fashion and leisure, and through the ways in which Parisians sought rural release from urban pressure. Finally, the book considers the self-harm done to the person of 19th-century Paris by revolutions and wars and the damage inflicted on it by 20th-century hubristic politicians and architects.
Starting with the topographical and cultural legacies that late 18th-century Paris inherited from its foundation in pre-Roman and Roman times and from its medieval infancy and early-modern adolescence, The Personality of Paris unpacks the social and material complexity of the 19th-century city. It considers the role of immigration in the making of Parisians and in the city's growth from half a million in 1801 to almost three million in 1911. It examines the making of its distinctive landscape through the construction of monuments and architectural icons, through its massive re-modelling by Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann, through its five world exhibitions, through its emphasis on food, fashion and leisure, and through the ways in which Parisians sought rural release from urban pressure. Finally, the book considers the self-harm done to the person of 19th-century Paris by revolutions and wars and the damage inflicted on it by 20th-century hubristic politicians and architects.
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 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
13 Maps
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
560 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-25264-6 (9781350252646)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2021
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€32.99
Available for download
Person
Alan R. H. Baker is Life Fellow of Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, UK. He is the author of three books, including Geography and History: Bridging the Divide (2003) and Amateur Musical Societies and Sports Clubs in Provincial France, 1848-1914 (2017), and the editor or co-editor of a further seven books. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques.
Content
List of Illustrations
Prologue
1. Beginnings: The Founding of Paris and its Growth to 1800
2. Peopling Paris: The Making of 'Parisians'
3. Monumentalising Paris: commemorating its Past
4. Modernising Paris: Rebuilding the City
5. Symbolising Paris: Architectural Iconography
6. Projecting Paris: Five World Exhibitions
7. Enjoying Paris: Food, Fashion and Fun
8. Escaping Paris: (Re)discovering Nature and the Provinces
9. Assassinating Paris: Revolutions, Wars and the Twentieth Century
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index
Prologue
1. Beginnings: The Founding of Paris and its Growth to 1800
2. Peopling Paris: The Making of 'Parisians'
3. Monumentalising Paris: commemorating its Past
4. Modernising Paris: Rebuilding the City
5. Symbolising Paris: Architectural Iconography
6. Projecting Paris: Five World Exhibitions
7. Enjoying Paris: Food, Fashion and Fun
8. Escaping Paris: (Re)discovering Nature and the Provinces
9. Assassinating Paris: Revolutions, Wars and the Twentieth Century
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index