Spectacular Paris (Rizzoli Classics)

If it's pictures you want, then this is a delight from cover to cover, ...not only as a coffee table peruser, but also as a spectacular souvenir of a trip to Paris, ...or even inspiration for an armchair dream. The format is large, the pages glossy and the photography good to excellent of all the famous locations you were ever likely to visit. There a many double page spreads, made even more panoramic by fold out flaps at the edges of the page for the super wide view.One curiosity of this book is the way in which the views are all selected with the idea of playing down the human crowd. There are people in the shots if you look, but they are certainly not the photographer's focus, ...this is in sharp contrast to another similar book on offer, "Toujours Paris", where the human element is definitely played up, ...so you can decide which you want.I'm not sure if it was felt that including people in a book destinied to be called "Spectacular Paris" was a distraction, ....would quickly date the photos by the fashion changes or it was just intended that the focus should be on one of the most spectacular cities in the world. In that reference this book certainly lives up to it's name.I'm not sure just how the photographer managed to get some of the wide format shots while the location was so uninhabited, ...and if you've ever experienced the crowds you will too. The text is simple, short but informative, ....this isn't a history lesson here, the photos are the headline act, and it's easy to become engrossed in them, specially if you have been to Paris. I would definitely opt for this version rather than that offered by "Toujours Paris", ...although being an avowed "Paris-aholic", I certainly own and enjoy both.However if it's only one you want or can afford for yourself or a gift, then I think you would be hard-pressed to find a more satisfying and wondrous visual trip around the City of Light than that offered by "Spectacular Paris".

I am truly enjoying all the books I have purchased on Amazon since the pandemic outbreak. Amazon is loaded with excellent books to educate the mind!! Since the outbreak of the Codvic Virus, I have been ordering many books off Amazon and enjoying having time to read while shelter in place. I never since being an Amazon member, order so many books until the pandemic. I pick books, like the one on Paris, read and enjoy the view of all Paris has to offer. I haven't been to Paris, but overjoyed that Amazon has hard bound travel books, loaded with beautiful pictures. As a Prime member, I get my orders the next day.

I bought this used with no dust jacket. It’s a very nice book. The photos are taken from a different perspective than most. I enjoy the book and the information in it.

Images where great, book was done nicely

Wow! The photography is wonderful and the wide pages (12 X 16) give the photographers, six given credit, the space they need to show off their truly impressive work. Those of Arnaud Frich are especially beautiful to me. The book is well organized, with chapters on History, Ile de La Cité and Ile St Louis,The Right Bank, The Left Bank, The Making of Modern Paris and one called simply City Life.The text includes a succinct and in my opinion well done history of Paris. To me the star of the book is still the photos which show off the city, yes, at its most spectacular. The book could have probably been even longer.One annoyance is the spelling of magasin, repeatedly spelled with a "z". I know it's pronounced that way, but a good proofreader should have caught that basic error. A book this beautiful just should not have spelling errors.

Went to Paris last summer and this book brought those lovely scenes back to life again for me! Beautiful, glossy pages and the pictures come with very informative narrative of Paris’ history as well as the history of its grand structures. Worth buying if you’ve been or planning to see the City of Lights!

"Spectacular" is a perfect description of this wonderful book. The photos are truly spectacular, gorgeous, and amazing. I love the organization of the book into chapters: introduction, history, and then the 3 main areas, followed by "Modern Paris" and "City Life." The text is highly informative and interesting. I really appreciate the detailed descriptive captions for the photos. This is a book I will view over and over again.

I have a lot of picture books as I am a keen photographer. This book compares well to most picture books. Overall, the quality of the photos is good and some are very sharp and a few are exceptional. If you like Paris like I do, it's a decent addition to your library. We went just after Christmas and encountered mix weather with some beautiful days, some grey and one really grotty - the snow was quite nice and added its own atmosphere. In this book, it's nice to see some of the sites at their best.

I stumbled across this coffee table book in the foyer of Hotel Duo in Paris, a hotel I thoroughly recommend near the Pompidou Centre. Nice, big panoramics of Paris, including Montmatre (the area around the back of Sacra Coeur) and Place des Vosges. Only possible drawback, the pics seem to be taken at dawn so you don't get much hustle and bustle or people-watching, a particular Parisian pleasure.

nice book

pictures are not very sharp

Belle parution, beau livre. Correspond à ma demande. Malheureusement livré abimé (2 ième livraison car le 1er était aussi abimé). Pour tant j'ai commandé du neuf! Pour faire un cadeau ça ne le fait pas....