If you are a regular visitor to this site then you probably share my bibliophilia. The majority of my selections are about France, Paris in particular but as sophisticated, omniverous readers, our interests are unlimited and so I have added many other personal favorites including classic American Fiction, Biography, History and detective fiction from the early masters like Hammet & Chandler to their contemporaries, Connelly, Child and Connolly.
Categories : Architecture Art Fashion Food & Wine French Culture & Customs French History Mystery Paris Cinema French Films Paris in the 20's Paris Memoir Paris Photography World War I World War II
Interviews - Authors
Pete Hamill
Who knew that the legendary New York newspaperman and novelist was passionate about Paris? I certainly didn’t until he emailed me to comment on one of my interviews and identified himself as a regular visitor to Paris Through Expatriate Eyes.
Andrew Hussey -Paris: The Secret History
After a leisurely lunch with a friend that consisted of the most exquisite, crunchy, cherry tomatoes, avocado and greens dressed with an olive oil so tasty that it required a mere few grinds of sel de mer, baguette des près and a salty Roquefort to become an ideal light meal. I washed down with a glass of Bordeaux and made my way towards the University of London in Paris for a conversation with Andrew Hussey, author of PARIS: THE SECRET HISTORY.
Mark Kurlansky
In March 1969 Charles de Gaulle officially closed Les Halles and by 1971 in an act of modern architectural homicide rivaled only by the razing of New York City’s Penn Station, the Belly of Paris was no more.
Carolyn Burke & Edith Piaf
Carolyn Burke the prize-winning biographer of Lee Miller turns her attention to the diminutive 20th century French icon and her enduring impact on French society.
Alicia Drake
August weather in Paris can be schizophrenic. After a glorious sunlit day my evening apéro was delayed by a torrential downpour but twenty minutes later as I gazed out my window Notre Dame was back lit by a blue sky and framed inside a rainbow-schmuck, no camera!
Charles Glass
When war broke out in Europe on 1 September 1939 nearly 5,000 US citizens in Paris ignored the American Ambassador William C. Bullitt’s warning to leave and were there when the Germans marched into France on 14 June 1940. Journalist Charles Glass recounts their story in a richly researched narrative.
John Baxter
When I first spoke to John Baxter he was known for his film biographies of Kubrick, Von Sternberg, and Woody Allen. He has since become the preeminent chronicler of expat life in Paris.
Alan Furst
In a perfect world the trench coat-clad, fedora-topped author of the best-selling historical spy novels set in the run up to and including the Second World War, would have penetrated a thick Bay Area fog to join me for a cocktail and conversation–But it was an uncharacteristically hot pre-summer day in Marin County (suburban San Francisco.)
Events
Regularly scheduled literary salons with guest writers, private dinners, restaurant openings, wine tastings,market visits and cooking classes attract a discerning, sophisticated crowd who love to have a good time while they learn. Our cadre of Paris–based colleagues happily share their passion for this magical city.
The Paris Insider Newsletter
THE PARIS INSIDER family of weekly newsletters,Including THE PARIS INSIDER (Tuesday,) THE PARIS READERS CIRCLE (Wednesday,) THE PARIS WEEKENDER (Thursday,) and THE PARIS INTERVIEW (Friday) offer freshly written reviews about restaurants, museums, books, events, showings and what's on in Paris. Arriving at 9:15 AM Pacific Time you'll receive all of this plus tips on excursions to the surrounding regions from Champagne to the Loire Valley and much more. Thank you for subscribing.
Bistros
No one should have a bad meal in Paris! Whether a 2-star restaurant or a local bistro there should always be an excellent rapport qualité prix– relationship between price and quality. At my favorites you will be treated as a regular and have a satisfying experience. Just tell them “Terrance sent you.”