How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City Author: Joan DeJean | Language: English | ISBN:
B00GC53AEA | Format: PDF
How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City Description
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Paris was known for isolated monuments but had not yet put its brand on urban space. Like other European cities, it was still emerging from its medieval past. But in a mere century Paris would be transformed into the modern and mythic city we know today.
Though most people associate the signature characteristics of Paris with the public works of the nineteenth century, Joan DeJean demonstrates that the Parisian model for urban space was in fact invented two centuries earlier, when the first complete design for the French capital was drawn up and implemented. As a result, Paris saw many changes. It became the first city to tear down its fortifications, inviting people in rather than keeping them out. Parisian urban planning showcased new kinds of streets, including the original boulevard, as well as public parks and the earliest sidewalks and bridges without houses. Venues opened for urban entertainment of all kinds, from opera and ballet to a pastime invented in Paris, recreational shopping. Parisians enjoyed the earliest public transportation and street lighting, and Paris became Europe’s first great walking city.
A century of planned development made Paris both beautiful and exciting. It gave people reasons to be out in public as never before and as nowhere else. And it gave Paris its modern identity as a place that people dreamed of seeing. By 1700, Paris had become the capital that would revolutionize our conception of the city and of urban life.
- File Size: 27416 KB
- Print Length: 320 pages
- Publisher: Bloomsbury USA; 1 edition (March 4, 2014)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00GC53AEA
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:
- Lending: Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,633 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #1
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Urban & Land Use Planning - #3
in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Urban & Land Use Planning - #5
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Europe > France
- #1
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Urban & Land Use Planning - #3
in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Urban & Land Use Planning - #5
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Europe > France
While most historical non-fiction does not attract as many readers as other more popular venues, this book is a pleasant exception. The author has clearly done her research and homework. Occasionally history can be as interesting as fiction and this book is a good example. With its roots in the early European renaissance, the author has called on the historical characters and events which started Paris on its path toward becoming one of the world's most fabled cities. This book is very well written and will hold the attention of a wide selection of readers.
By Robert Steven Thomas
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
great book about Paris and how the city grew and developed into a major influence on the world. Easy read and ideas and concepts all joined together to show how the city created itself.
By jeffery bell
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