This book is unfortunately incredibly dull. I've been a francophile for decades but the writing was obscure and took so long to get to the point that I lost interest repeatedly.

This is an interesting collection of stories and anecdotes about places in Paris. Creative and unique, it acts as a different type of tour guide for the city.

I have read other books by John Baxter about Paris and this was a wonderful addition to his other books. This book has beautiful illustrations accompanying short essays on a myriad of topics -- arts and culture (including great essays on architecture), food and drink, history, dark history, the French way of life. His writing is clear and descriptive and there is also a sense of humor within. Even though the essays are brief, they are packed with lots of great information -- and even though I pride myself as a Francophile, I definitely learned lots of new information here. A wonderful book that I will read again and gift to friends headed to Paris.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for access to this arc.

The book is divided into sections (Art and Culture, Food and Drink, History, etc) with subsections in each. The topics and information varies wildly: Famous people, laws about brothels, toilets, cemeteries, the site of the last remaining originally placed official meter measurement, where swimming pools (that the French apparently never actually swim in) are located. Bizarrely the book just ends after the author discusses the problems of dog droppings on the sidewalks. Most of the brief sections are interesting, some are fascinating, a few lost my interest before the two pages were finished. This is another book to either read straight through or dip in and out of as you please. There are also some lovely drawings scattered throughout. B-

I enjoyed reading the stories and the anecdotes about Paris. So much more interesting than a travel guide. This captures the romance and spirit of Paris. A lovely book to either read straight through or snack on as the mood takes you. A definite must for all those who love Paris. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to John Baxter, Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A travel book unlike any other you'll find. John Baxter does not give you an itinerary to discover the city. Instead, he provides valuable information on Parisian history, monuments and even gastronomy. I really liked the style of the illustrations that can be found throughout the pages. You can tell that the author is a Paris guide, as the sections are rich and different from what you can read in other books on the subject.

Although interesting because it is full of anecdotes, it is sometimes difficult to follow the author's thoughts, as the paragraphs seem disjointed.

I’m afraid I decided to preview this title simply because it was about Paris. True, it had some “secret history’” included that might appeal to certified Paris-lovers. However, for me most of the topics were too esoteric and I found myself skimming the sections for those that might keep my attention.

My husband worked for a French company, and we spent lots of time in Paris and throughout France. While I feel like I know the city fairly well, Mr. Baxter had very interesting anecdotes and tidbits to enrich my love of Paris. A nice read for first-time and seasoned visitors.

I have never thought of Paris, expect when fashion week comes and my favorite celebrities visit.
Never thought of visiting, seeing or wandering its streets.

Paris Untold made me want to see the places the author sees, makes me wonder about the life of a busker or a mime artist, makes me wonder about Cafe de Flore and about the vines and stone of an apartment on 29 Avenue Rapp. It makes me imagine a more recent history of France, of its art, its cinematography and of the lives of the people living there.

It is piece of French History from the eyes of an artist that celebrates the unknown little histories of unknown little nooks of Paris in times which might seem much less interesting at first glance but will stay with you when you have heard it from the author.

For some reason, I am very interested in a audiobook version. It will be teleporting experience to listen to.

This book is not quite a travel guide in that it won't tell you what's best to see or where to find a nice boutique hotel, but it gives you a deeper understanding of Paris as a whole with some modern historical background.
In the introduction the author mentions that he fell into being a tour guide in Paris and that's certainly how this book feels - that I'm being led through the city with little anecdotes and interesting facts about the places we pass. If you're a fan of walking tours, this book will appeal.
The sections are a good length that you can dip in and out of this book, reading one or two sections at a time. Some sections were of less interest to me, or went too deep into a topic I didn't have the background knowledge to truly appreciate, but as it's a collection of snippets that wasn't an issue - I'd just move onto the next one as if we'd walked around the corner and spotted another famous building.
My favourite sections were the arts and culture and "In the Shadows", the latter of which gave you some darker history that you might not get on a family friendly tour.
I'd recommend this for ex-pats living in Paris or anyone who wants to know a bit more about this beautiful city, particularly if they've recently been or are planning to go.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.

An entertaining read filled with anecdotes and stories about Paris. Food, art, culture, sport, cemeteries, toilets, brothels, revolutions, murders and more, are all covered with plenty of literary references. Illustrated with drawings.

The author gives tours of Paris for Fun! Who better would know the ins and outs of a place with such an important place in global identity? (Of extraterrestials interviewed, their top five Earth cities, 89% name Paris in that number. . . .jk) The author's text, combined with the illustrations of Jennifer Court have provided curious readers this treat for indulging their day dreams of Paris.

As a firm believer in letting a book speak for itself I give you a sampling of -

TABLE OF CONTENTS (each of these sections are drilled down further to interesting and odd specificities about the land, history, aspects, communities and smidges and dabs known only to insiders of Paris)
-Art and Culture
-Food and Drink
-History
-In The Shadows
-Ways of Life

INDEX (there is so much more, I share only a smidge)
absinthe 77-8; Alexander I, 71
Basquiat, Jean-Michel 189; boules 193, brocante 179-82
Chevalier, Maurice 122; choux pastry, 71, 74
dames pipis 137-9; Dumas, Alexandre, 97-8
Eiffel, Gustave 54, 56, 57; exploring after dark 158-61
French v English 195-8; Fuller, Loie, 24
Godard, Jeau-Luc 19-21, et al; gypsum 51
Heloise, 170-1; hot chocolate 83-4, 85
Ingres, Jean-Auguste-Dominique 7; Iris, Agence 150-1
Jardins d'Acclimatation 68; John, Elton 129
Khruschchev, Nikita 79-80
Lavatory de la Madeleine 139; Liszt, Franz 7
metrication 174-6; Montparnasse 51, 59, 143, 146
Notre-Dame 47-50,56; Nuit Blanche 158-9
Opera de Paris 25-8; opium 8, 134-6
Parker, Charlie 'Bird' 39; pastries 71-4
Queneau, Raymond 43
Ray, Man 45, 46; rum 76-7
snails 64-6; Le Sphinx 153, 157
tennis 182-6; tips 176-8; tunnels 59, 61
Unik, Pierre 43
VanGogh, Vincent 105,143; Verne Jules 174-5, 188
waiters and waiting 89-91; Wren, Christopher 21
Yves San Laurent 181
Zola, Emile 26, 105

An informative and amusing read, one I would take with me on a trip to that legendary city. Truthfully, though, my days are numbered for sure and I doubt I'll be able to make such a trip - and having this book helps me feel ok about that, as it at least suggests to me many aspects to research, read and google about related to this Great Lady of France - Herself, PARIS!

*A sincere thank you to John Baxter, Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* Pub date: 06.25.2024

Interesting but not what I expected! I think I thought there would be more recommendations on unexpected parts of Paris.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this overall. I am going to Paris for the second time in a little over a month and so I was eager to read about the city. Some sections really didn’t hit for me, I just didn’t care, while others were really interesting. My favorite section was definitely the food and drink section, which had info on escargots, little songbirds that are now illegal to eat, cocktails, and bread. I also really appreciated the explanation of tipping culture!

What a very interesting book by John Baxter....not my usual type of reading but I love Paris and it's history....and I wasn't disappointed.
John shared tales from all walks of Paris which are very different from normal books on Paris.

I found it very informative and thoroughly interesting.

I'm would recommend it.

Everything you really want to know about Paris can be found in this compelling resource by travel writer and resident John Baxter. The illustrations perfectly capture the city, as does the lively witty prose.

In his intro, Baxter explains: "Many people who visit Paris will return home with nothing but sore feet and an Eiffel Tower paperweight. The lucky ones will have experienced at least a glimpse and a taste of this most fascinating and intricate of cities. Enough, at least, to be able to say, in that most evocatively nostalgic of phrases 'I remember ... once ... in Paris.' I hope this book helps!"

For this reader and many others who long to visit or return, it truly does. Highly recommended!

When I visited Paris for the first time I cried when I left. That is how hard it was to leave a place that I had so long wanted to visit. The streets, the museums, the cafes, the Seince-I truly could not believe that I was there.

We may be hearing a lot about Paris this year because of the Olympics. Much will be highlighted. However, to learn intimately about the City of Light, readers would do well to pick up a copy of Untold Paris. It is written by someone with a deep insider’s knowledge of the city.

The title is divided into sections on Art and Culture, Food and Drink, History, In the Shadows and Ways of Life. Just some of the subheadings include Cafes and Literature, Eiffel and His Monument, The Art of French Pastry, The German Occupation, The Girl in the Champagne Bath, French vs English and so much more.

This eclectic guide is illustrated with some lovely drawings. They enhance the pleasure of the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

A colorful assortment of topics about Paris, each a few pages long. You won't read about the museums here, but you will learn about cocktails, jazz, Paris waiters, the Paris Commune of 1871, Hemingway, Roland Garros, Josephine Baker, cobblestones, and snails. Subjects range from British Royalty in Paris to pissoirs and dog poop. You can read this a few minutes at a time or all in one go, or dip into it randomly. Perfect airplane book. (Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.)

This is a lovely book for those who wish to delve into the story of Paris a bit more - great for newcomers, tourists who wish to go off the beaten track, foodies, artists, those interested in history and literature. It is engaging and the stylish illustrations are a bonus.

I really love Paris. I think most people don't realize how affordable it can be -- I used to spend less money taking a trip to Paris than my friends did taking trips in the country. There is so much to see and so much energy.
What makes this book fun is that I learned a lot of things I didn't know about the history of some of the places in Paris. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this