Customer Reviews

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Learn to do good;" -- Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV)

This is the most engaging history book I've read so far in 2011.

While I was in college, I focused my studies on 19th century France because almost every possible variation of human history occurred there at some point between 1789 and 1914. In the course of those studies, I became very familiar with how French people and Europeans saw Paris. But it never occurred to me to apply the special lens of how visiting and expatriate Americans experienced the City of Light. I feel extremely grateful to David McCullough for conceiving of and brilliantly executing this book.

I should mention that I have read in great detail how 18th and 20th century Americans saw Paris. How I missed reading about the 19th century is beyond me.

One of the fascinating themes is how Americans went from being humble learners, seeking to gain from greater French knowledge of the arts and medicine, to being influential innovators bringing new influences (such as Morse's telegraph, Edison's electric lights, and John Singer Sargent's portraiture). Paris itself stretched to become a bigger stage on which technical progress was shared through the various exhibitions.

To me one of the best aspects of this book was becoming a little bit familiar with fascinating Americans who I didn't know much about before such as painter George P. A. Healy, American minister to France Elihu B. Washburne, and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Naturally, Paris itself is the biggest character and David McCullough treats her with proper reverence.

I was particularly charmed by the descriptions of difficult Atlantic crossings in sailing ships, riding in French stagecoaches (diligences) to Paris, and how the newly arrived reacted to seeing their first French cathedrals, especially the one at Rouen.

for anyone who has had a life-long love affair with France, this is the perfect present. I am taking it to Paris with me,next week!!

While there were several interesting sections, for instance the sea voyage in sailing ships, the Parisian medical school, the account of the American ambasssador's stay in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, the seige of Paris and the Commune, too lengthy attention was given to people who possibly would interest Americans, but not other readers. Who cares that Emma Willard "approved entirely of the French regard for fashion" and feasted her eyes on the jewels worn by the Parisian women? Oh for a good editor who should have trimmed this lengthy book.
Avril Warren, Victoria Britiish Columbia

My husband finished the book and liked it , however, I lost interest in it at the moment at the height of the war. I might resume reading it at a later time.

A marvellous book. Historical facts are revealed about the life of Americans in music,art and medicine in the 1800's in Paris. It shows the importance of these cultural and medical experiences for Americans in the development of life in America.There are details of American artists in Paris their successes and failures.If you enjoy history and culture this book is for you.

As many other reviewers have noted, this book is disjointed in style and written without any underlying theme or analysis. For much of its length it reads very much like a poorly crafted catalogue or cookbook. Could this be the great David McCullough who has written this? The author seems to have no real mastery of his subject matter, and the words commercial and superficial rang in my ears as I read it.

And yet with a more knowledgeable writer the story could have been a fascinating read. The interplay of French and Americans surely should have offered a revealing contrast between the character and culture of each group. Instead, in "The Greater Journey," the French and Paris are simply used as a backdrop for the heroic actions of Americans artists, who work hard to satisfy their insatiable ambitions, while finding themselves to be true blue, back home patriots. The book could almost have been set in Indianapolis.

As for accuracy, on page 219 McCullough claims that a Cunard line ship, the Pacific, sank in 1856 with all passengers and crew lost. However, as it is widely known, Cunard never lost a passenger's life in its long and famous history. In fact the Pacific belonged to the ill fated American Collins Line. It is this type of very basic mistake which makes one wonder about McCullough and his work on this book.

Too bad about this! It was my first David McCullough book and I was expecting something great.

there are some interesting sections ( Franco-Prussian War and the Commune period) - if I had known this was about art and artists I never would have bought it. I find art and artists both boring and boorish. I bought this on the strength of DM's past books which are some of the best ever written. I feel ripped off after buying this book. My advice to readers is don't waste your money or wait til you can get it for $2.00 used which will be very soon believe me. I should have read the New York Times review before buying this "book".