The Greater Journey: Americans In Paris (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I usually read fiction but loved this book because it made history come alive as though I was reading a novel. The stories of American expatriates in Paris are numerous and I remember hearing bits and pieces. But this book weaves the stories of people together and covers a wide range of "study" that was done in Paris: painting, sculpture, music, medicine. It was interesting to connect the various achievements of these Americans with what was happening in American history.I am glad that I purchased the book rather than the electronic rendition because now I can go back and reread certain sections. The book also has pictures which added to the experience. Another great historical masterpiece by my favorite historian, David McCullough ! He introduces the reader to the rich, changing, passionate history of Paris and the Americans who ventured across the Atlantic to study there ! So many were influenced by the rich learning that was available to Americans coming from our yet young American republic. He introduced me to Oliver Wendell Holmes who along with being an accomplished writer, went to study medicine in Paris ... to Samuel Morse who, after the devestating loss of his wife, left his children with a brother and his family and went to Paris to devote a great deal of time studying art and later came home from Paris with the idea that became his signature invention, the Morse Code ... to Elizabeth Blackwell who went to Paris to study medicine and went on to become the first female American doctor ... to Augustus St Gaudens a remarkable artist who studied sculptoring under leading French sculptures ... and so many more artists who got their start in Paris. The history of Paris itself in the mid 1800's to the turn of the century was so fascinating ! This was a very worthwile read !
What do You think about The Greater Journey: Americans In Paris (2011)?
Thank you Nancy P. for sending me home with this wonderful book. I loved every word. Excellant!
—Aurora
Not entirely what I expected and better for it.
—Nicole
