Reviews (4)

terrific look at Marie Antoinette through her fashion
This is a terrific look at Marie Antoinette through the fashion she wore that defied French society over the objections of the aristocracy yet set trends with these same nay-sayers imitating or parodying the monarch while the hookers and madams copied her.The premise of Caroline Weber's fashionable biography is that the doomed queen was her own person from the time at fourteen she first sat on the throne to her last dance with Madam Guillotine.This book is well written and fascinating and fans of the French Revolution era will be enthralled by the detailed accounts especially the haunting all in white final ride to the execution as the author uses the clothing to symbolize the extravagance and ruin of a regime.With a salute to Arnold's Clothing Theory, Caroline Weber provides a fresh look at this violent period through the wardrobe of its most representative figure.
a tour-de-force!
I am glad that Carrie Weber's fascinating book "Queen of Fashion" is making a headway into American and Canadian popular culture to counteract some of the false information that will undoubtedly be generated by the Coppola film. No, Marie-Antoinette was not an empty-headedteenage spendthrift just trying to have fun. There was a method to her "madness." In spite of her joie-de-vivre, she was a Habsburg, and the Habsburgs always knew how to wield power. Weber, through anecdotes and vivid descriptions shows how the ill-fated queen used costume throughout her life to make a statement, which ultimately shaped her destiny. She dressed stylishly as only former courtesans had dressed to show that she and no other was her husband's mistress.An excellent book!

Sartorial savoir-faire
"Queen of Fashion" is a stylish and engaging tour de force that offers a truly original perspective on the life of France's ill-fated queen. In her absorbing and rigorously researched account of Marie Antoinette's life, Weber convincingly shows that the history of the queen's wardrobe and the court politics at Versailles are inextricably interwoven threads of French history. The stylish essence of this book is its ability to communicate the complexity of the period's politics with an accessibility and elegance that will appeal to a broad range of readers. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of fashion or France. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1755-1793    2. 18th century    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Clothing    5. Courts and courtiers    6. Europe - France    7. Fashion    8. France    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. History: World    12. Marie Antoinette,    13. Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France,    14. Royalty    15. History / France   

Subjects:  1. 1638-1715    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Favorites, Royal    7. France    8. France - History    9. General    10. Historical - General    11. King of France,    12. Kings and rulers    13. Louis    14. Monarchy And Aristocracy    15. Relations with women    16. Royalty    17. XIV,    18. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (68)

A must read for anyone who aspires to live better
While I find most food writing, particularly autobiographies, tiring to the core this book warmed my jaded little heart.
From Awkward Tourist to French Cooking Fame!
My Life in France is the most entertaining memoir I've read in 2006!It's a winner.
"Splendid"
What an incredible read!If you tire of the endless array of predictable fiction plots based on dysfunctional psychological drama, read this as a tribute to the life of a cultural icon.If you have any bias against French established cultures, please read this - it'll give you a more objective frame of reference from Julia Child's perspective. She not only embraced France but took that passion she found and made it her success.Positive and humorous.I loved it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cookery, French    6. Cooking    7. Cooking / Wine    8. Cooks    9. France    10. French Cookery    11. History    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Regional & Ethnic - French    14. United States    15. Women    16. Cooking / History   

Reviews (5)

This book would even make the Sun King proud
What an amazing book, it is nothing short of spectacular.The pictures are vivid and the book quality is of the highest caliber.The other reviewer was correct in noting that the reader has to been careful with this book, the pages are so heavy that it will pull from the binding if you are not careful when positioning the book.I have always had a facination with Versailles and this book really captures the chateaux, it makes you feel like you are stolling the gardens and taking in the sumptuous wonders of the palace. Unlike other books on Versailles this one is complete, it covers everything and in striking detail.I urge anyone with any interest in Versailles to buy this book, even used at 200 U.S., it is a bargain.I assure you you will not be disappointed in this book.

NEWEST EDITION BETTER BOUND!!!!
Five stars PLUS! I have a new edition and it is very well bound - no need to worry about it falling apart! If you've ever been to Versailles this book will mist you up! If you're planning a return trip this book will be your bible... It is amazing how inexpensive this book is when you consider the spectacular colour photos.

Really deserves 10 stars! However, I must warn you...
This is THE BEST book there is on Versailles (which is probably why its normally a hundred bucks!) There is only one problem I have ever had with the book and that is the poor physical quality. I had to order it twice because my first copy fell completely apart within a few weeks. Needless to say I was not happy at all when that happened. Every copy that I have seen (in libraries, other bookstores) has the same problem. Normally, I would not have tried again after that, but I HAD to have this book. My second one has also begun to separate from the binding, so I rarely read it... but when I do, I use **EXTREME** care. I think the main reason for this is the size and weight of the book, so if you decide to purchase it, keep that in mind. I recommend turning the pages *slowly* and not leaving it completely flat and/or open for any long period of time. Also, store it horizontally, NOT vertically... the pages are so heavy, they will end up tearing themselves out! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 17th century    2. Architecture    3. Chateau de Versailles (Versai    4. Classicism in art    5. France    6. Gardens    7. History    8. Interior decoration    9. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    10. Reference    11. Versailles    12. Art patronage    13. Louis    14. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Subjects:  1. 1755-1793    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. France    7. France - History    8. France - History - Revolution And Napoleonic Empire (1789-1815)    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. Louis XVI, 1774-1793    12. Marie Antoinette,    13. Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France,    14. Queens    15. Royalty    16. Women    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (1)

BOOK REVIEW:`Bad Faith' Reminds Us How Anti-Semitic Many French Were in 1930s, WW II; Catholic Hierarchy Force Behind Jew Hatr
By David M. Kinchen
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Subjects:  1. Antisemitism    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Europe - France    8. France    9. France - History    10. Historical - General    11. Historical - Holocaust    12. Holocaust    13. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    14. Public officers    15. Vichy    16. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

Reviews (9)

Should you buy French By Design?
I just did. The homes & rooms featured in this book indicate that money is no object and these homeowners want you to know it. Subtlety is non-existant. Rooms are very "we had a decorator & we spent a LOT". Most items looks too new, too ruffled, smocked, tucked and otherwise adorned. HOWEVER, if you can get past the pictures & READ THE TEXT- Phillips has a lot to say that is excellent. She lists sources & frequently shares fascinating comments on everyday details of French style (who knew about brass hardware vs brushed nickel?). If you read; buy it. If you look only at photos, don't! Charles Faudree is much better in the genre in my opinion.

Beautifully presented.
Another of Philips' beautiful French decorating books.Homes presented in this book, as with her other books are high end showing us the sumptuous fabrics, and lovely French furniture she specializes in.Homes shown are mostly mansions, not the average house. Good coffee table book.

Brilliant, Great Sense of Design, a Visual Delight
Not unlike all of Phillips' books, this book is a masterpiece of European syle and design.No detail is left unnoticed.The furniture, fabrics, antiques, architecture, artwork, and carved stone are each carefully considered and beautifully photographed.Every page is a visual delight.I cannot recommend it highly enough! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Decoration and ornament, Rusti    6. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    7. Design & Construction    8. France    9. History    10. House & Home    11. Influence    12. Interior Design - Style Books    13. Interior decoration    14. United States    15. Architecture / Interior Design    16. Home furnishing & decoration    17. Interior design    18. c 1600 to c 1700   

Editorial Review

Who hasn't dreamed, on a mundane Monday or frowzy Friday, of chucking it all in and packing off to the south of France? Provençal cookbooks and guidebooks entice with provocatively fresh salads and azure skies, but is it really all Côtes-du-Rhône and fleur-de-lis?Author Peter Mayle answers that question with wit, warmth, and wicked candor in Read more

Reviews (117)

A Vacation for the Mind: A Year in Provence
This book has something for everyone.The anecdotes are charming, funny, and full of deliciously descriptive sentences.I read some passages aloud to whoever will listen.This is the 2nd book I've read by Peter Mayle. I also read "A Good Year" and am currently reading, "Toujours Provence!"Mayle's books are refreshing and delightful to read.

Delicious reading, creme brulee for your head!
I read this book as a follow up to "Almost French" which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wanted more but that author hadn't written anything else (yet?) so I looked to the back cover where there were some recommendations. I am so glad I did!
A Hilarious Vicarious Journey to France
Englishman Peter Mayle and his wife realize what most of us could only dream about--life in the French countryside of Provence.Food and the hearty French life are the themes that run through this book as the Mayles undertake renovating their 200 year old farmhouse.
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Europe - France    3. France    4. Homes and haunts    5. Mayle, Peter    6. Provence    7. Provence (France)    8. Social life and customs    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. Modern fiction    12. Travel / Europe / France    13. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (1)

At Last, a Tribute to an Art Dealer!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has produced yet another fine curatorial statement with their exhibition 'Cezanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde' and fortunately the accompanying catalogue is as bold and beautiful as the exhibition itself.The concept of discussing artists of international stature from the stance of the man who gave their careers the jumpstart needed is unique and valuable and is a tribute to the work that art dealers around the world perform in assisting artists in their career paths.
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Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Art, French    6. Artists and patrons    7. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    8. Essays    9. European    10. Exhibitions    11. France    12. History    13. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)    14. Art / General    15. Art funding, patronage & sponsorship    16. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (28)

Sets the record straight
Everyone knows this event was controversial.It is the tasting that allowed premium U.S. wineries to begin the meteoric rise in quality (and price) that we see today.Arguably, it is what launched the globe's infatuation with the "New World Style".
Great story of an event that changed the world of wine
This is the story of the wine tasting event that put California and Napa Valley on the elite winemaking map.For those who don't know, in 1976 a British wine merchant stage a blind tasting of elite French wines against California wines.The judges were all French and expected to judge in favor of the French wines.But, the California wines scored much better and suddenly French dominance of winemaking was being questioned everywhere.George Taber was the only journalist at the event and wrote a small article for Time magazine.This is his story of what happened that day and the impact it had on the world wine industry.
Excellent read for winos
Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    3. Business/Economics    4. California    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. France    8. History    9. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    10. Paris    11. Wine And Wine-Making    12. Wine industry    13. Wine tasting    14. Cooking / General   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Architecture    4. Catalogs    5. Decoration & Ornament    6. France    7. Furniture    8. History    9. Interior Design - General    10. Interior decoration    11. Interior design   

Reviews (6)

Strong Five Star Book
Charles Faudree's style is "Comfortable French"Anyone could live in his rooms.They have a touch of elegance without being stiff or too formal.They are like that favorite outfit that you have had for years and years and still love to wear.This book is full of great pictures so you can see exactly what he means when he talks about French Country Style.

Fantastic!
If you love Country French that is not pretentious, but still elegant, this is the book for you.This is the second of Charles Faudree's design books that I have purchased.The pictures are incredible, and his attention to detail is amazing.He certainly has a gift and I wish that I could afford for him to help me with my house.Especially if that involved traveling with him to the French Market or to the Portobello Market in Notting Hill.Instead, I will use his pictures as a guide.I hope that this book is not his last!

French Country Elegance Defined
Mr. Faudree has knocked another one out of the park with his follow-up book to Country French Design.His high style seems to have calmed down somewhat and isn't quite as "over the top" as it was in his first book.I could literally step through the pages and take residence in any of the rooms featured.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    6. France    7. History    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Influence    11. Interior decoration    12. United States    13. Home furnishing & decoration    14. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. American - General    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Art, American    6. Artists as teachers    7. European    8. Exhibitions    9. France    10. History - General    11. Paris    12. Study & Teaching    13. Art / General    14. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (17)

Sun-drenched colors of Southern France
"French country decorating at its finest is the harmonious mingling of fabrics, textures, and patterns - an artistic blending of the familiar with warmth and sophistication." For Americans creating French style, who can't go toFrance
Ok, so this isn't "authentic French Provence design." Suppose you won't be visiting Aix-en-Provence and running around looking for all the pieces you need, and then figuring out how to fill up a shipping container and send it through customs, etc etc, (can you imagine doing this in a foreign country in a foreign language?!) You just aren't going to find a lot of genuine French furnishing and fabrics in the US. What if you want to use French elements in your decorating (as we did) and only have access to American furniture lines and the fabrics sold here? French Provencal style influences American interiors
I found this book a wonderful view of French Provencal style, blended with American verve and elegance. Many of us have traveled in France, and know the French are also very influenced by the freshness and ease of American design. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Decorating    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Decoration and ornament, Rusti    5. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    6. Do-It-Yourself - General    7. France    8. History    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. House & Home    11. Influence    12. Interior Design - Style Books    13. Interior decoration    14. Residential Interior Design    15. United States    16. Home furnishing & decoration    17. House & Home / Decorating    18. Interior design   

Reviews (2)

I would give this glorious book 10 stars if I could....
This book is simply magnificent.But first, a word about the price. The British publisher, Thames and Hudson, prices this book at 45 pounds.At this time, 1 pound = $1.8 US.I encourage you to compute the currency exchange and then shop . . . .
Intelligent extraordinary and revealing.
Extremely well written account of the ongoing excavation of Chauvet Cave. The detail in the authors descriptions of the many artifacts found and the maticulous fragility used in processing, dating, and cataloging. This book goes way beyond cave art. From the animals and humans that had contact with the cave to the environment, geology, and paleo-botony. These are some of the oldest art ever dated and while reading their accounts the reader is transported back into time witnessing specific events that occured more than 32,000 years ago during the IceAge.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. France    3. History of art: pre-history    4. Painting & paintings   

Editorial Review

Frances Mayes continues her love letter to Italy in this sequel to Read more

Reviews (19)

Beautiful photographs
This book is quite different from Mayes' first two books about Tuscany, which were more like travel memoirs. This book's focus is photographs, accompanied by some commentary, thoughts, and insights from Mayes, as well as some recipes. Frankly, I didn't read the text at all. I just enjoyed the photographs. I wish I'd had this book when I was reading Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany because all the places she talks about in those books are scattered throughout the pages of this book in beautiful photographs. We finally get to see what Mayes' charming Bramasole house looks like, as well as the town of Cortona and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. If you haven't read Mayes' first two books, read them and have this one handy so you can see for yourself just how beautiful these houses, towns, and people are.

In Tuscany
If you are the least bit interested in anything Italian then this is the book for you. "In Tuscany" has a great intro into the lifestyles there and more. There are many beautiful pictures and easy to follow recipes. A must have for those who are looking for a ecsape from our busy lives or an inspiration to redecorate your own home.

Complete the Experience
A delicious feast for the eye and heart.If you have read the book, if you have travelled in Tuscany this book brings it all home visually. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Europe - Italy    3. Italy - History    4. Mayes, Edward Kleinschmidt,    5. Mayes, Frances    6. Pictorials    7. Social life and customs    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Travel Guides    11. Tuscany (Italy)    12. Mayes, Edward Kleinschmidt    13. Travel / Pictorials   

Reviews (5)

"Du Marivaudage" or about Seduction in french style fashion and interiors
This is a book you will enjoy. It will appeal to anyone interested in decorative arts in France between 1750 and 1789. The fashion focuses on dress and its aesthetic interplay with art, furniture, and the decorative arts of the period. Presented in a dramatic setting, the beautiful pictures of the Metropolitan Museum exhibition explore the dressed body's spatial negotiation of the 18th-century interior as a choreography of seduction and erotic play.

Stunning collection of costume photos
Beautiful full color photographs of the Met's Louis XIV's clothing collection and furniture.Manequines are dressed in beautiful originals and posed in drawing rooms and boudoirs in real life poses, flirting, playing piano, having their hair done, playing cards.The photographs are very well done, clear and the detail pieces will be a boon to any costumer.I highly recommend this book for costumers and other historical clothing buffs.

Fusion of Fashion and Style, done with amazing grace
When I was young, I read a biography for children about the tragic Marie Antoinette, last queen of France, and found myself enthralled by the exquisite decorative arts of the time. It was a culture that viewed that every surface and substance was an opportunity to embellish and use. Sometimes the end results were overblown, but also managed to stay on the edge of good taste.
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Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Clothing and dress    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    6. Design    7. Design - Decorative    8. European    9. Exhibitions    10. Fashion    11. France    12. Furniture    13. History    14. History - General    15. Metropolitan Museum Of Art - Exhibition Catalogs    16. Art / Design / Decorative    17. Fashion design    18. Furniture & cabinetmaking    19. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (8)

A Stunning Inspirational Expression of the Louvre
I admire deeply the work put together in this book. I believe it was compiled with integrity to the purpose of relaying the center of some of the world's most exquisite art. First of all it is a massive volume in deep, rich color and when you receive it no matter what price you paid it feels well worth it. On several pages you will see a whole painting and then on the next page an enlarged version of the painting's focal point, a section of the art to show the rich detail. Of course you will lose some detail with any representation of this work. But if you can't make it to the Louvre or have been to the Louvre and would like to bring some of the soul stilling art home I highly recommend this book.

Overrated
I'm surprised by the glowing reviews for this book.The reproductions are of poor quality.My advice would be to buy a book published in the last ten years, no more.

Paintings In the Louvre
Unparalleled in its breadth and scope, and unique in the quality of its sumptuous color reproductions, "Paintings In the Louvre" is THE BEST, the most lavish and comprehensive book ever published on the greatest collection of paintings in the world - in the Louvre Museum, in Paris.If you really like beautiful, fine European art, then this oversized, weighty, hard-back book is the book for you!Crisp, clear, beautiful full-color reproductions of more than 800 of the most important paintings that hang in the Louvre, this book is especially wonderful in that a good portion of this book is some of the most striking Christian art in the world....Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Catalogs    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    5. Dictionaries    6. France    7. History    8. History - General    9. Painting    10. Paris    11. Techniques - Painting    12. Art / Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    13. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    14. Painting & paintings   

Reviews (8)

Puts the French on Pedestals
The book is written as if the French have a monopoly on good taste.B. Phillips gushes over the French lifestyle to the point of annoyance.I found myself saying, enough already! I got the book because I've travelled to France since I was a kid and now I'd like to decorate my home with French influences.But after reading her book, with its genuflecting and contradictions, I was turned off.An example of contradiction:At one point the book states that the French are not ostentacious and prefer simple, tasteful items in the home.But from the interior pictures of mansions, that hardly seems to be the case.Also, I couldn't see any children being happy in these homes.They look like hotels and museums.The book had one very redeeming quality.The guides outlining "must haves" are very good.

French Details
"Detail is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary." ~Unknown The Nicest Room is on the Cover