Walks through Napoleon and Josephine's Paris

by Diana Reid Haig

Overview

Four walks through Paris trace Napoleon and Josephine's courtship, Napoleon's student days at the École Militaire, the coronation and reign, and, finally, the path that Napoleon's funeral cortège took nearly twenty years after his death. Readers visit the prison where Josephine was held during the Terror, the site of the house where Napoleon plotted the coup d'état, restaurants where the couple dined, and the jewelers Napoleon commissioned to make the dazzling royal crowns, timepieces, and swords; itineraries for Malmaison and Fontainebleau are also included. This pocketable guide evokes a panoramic sweep of French history and describes the public grandeur as well as the daily intimacy of Napoleon and Josephine's lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781892145253
Publisher:	New York Review Books
Publication date:	11/30/2003
Edition description:	With Maps
Pages:	146
Product dimensions:	5.27(w) x 7.28(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Diana Reid Haig is an award-winning songwriter, annotator, and audio producer. She has produced, annotated, or engineered almost 100 compilations, DVD-As, or SACDs for Motown, NBC, Universal, SONY, Warner Bros., and others.

Editorial Reviews

"In reality, we may not be able to go back in time and be one with Napoleon and Josephine in the Paris they knew; but in Diana Reid Haig’s book Walks Through Napoleon & Josephine’s Paris we can certainly feel like we are. After being published in 2004, the book quickly hit WHSmith’s Top Ten list in Paris – and it is easy to see why.
For starters, the book is attractive – so attractive that when you finally embark on one of its walks, you may be tempted to leave it on your coffee table at home. But make no mistake, this book is meant to be used. The entire point of the book is to have readers out and about in Paris – visiting the exact sites that were of great importance to Napoleon and Josephine.
There are four different walks around Paris that readers can follow. For the more ambitious there are also two daytrips outside Paris included. Fortunately Haig does everything in her power to make these walks (and daytrips) completely stress-free for those who don’t know Paris. Not only does she lay out maps at the beginning of each walk, she also tells you which direction to walk, which Metro to take, and when to turn.
Furthermore, the book measures only 7.25 inches by 5.25 inches. Thus, it is small enough to put in your backpack or purse without a problem. It even comes with a built-in ribbon bookmark so you never have to worry about losing your place while on a walk.
The best thing about Walks Through Napoleon & Josephine’s Paris is that it allows you to see the Paris of today and yesterday, simultaneously. Not only can you visit some of the same shops and restaurants that the Emperor and Empress used to frequent, but you will also find yourself being sidetracked (time and time again) by other historical sites and famous places of today that you will inevitably pass along the way.
In a word, the book is ‘priceless’ for those who have always wanted to learn about Napoleon and Josephine but have been too busy, too bored by the idea, or too ADHD to actually take the time to do it. Walks Through Napoleon & Josephine’s Paris is a must-have for all who love Paris." —Bonjour Paris

From the Publisher