“… beautifully written and refreshingly original…Curious and attentive to detail, Downie is appreciative yet unflinching in describing his adopted home… makes us see [Paris] in a different light…. There's a deft portrait of the driven, self-created designer Coco Chanel, an acid portrait of the Brutalist modernizer Georges Pompidou, an evocation of the hard-working boat people of the Seine and historical passages that effortlessly recall lost worlds in vieux Paris.”

—David Armstrong, San Francisco Chronicle

“Downie’s Paris, Paris has earned a remarkable accolade from vet travel-writing legend Jan Morris, who describes the book as "the most evocative American book about Paris since (Hemingway's) 'A Movable Feast.'" The delightful and insightful essays in "Paris, Paris" meld history, atmosphere and observations on Paris places, Paris people and Paris phenomena.”

—John Marshall, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Chicago Tribune

Steven Barclay's wonderful anthology of quotes about Paris, taken from a wide variety of literary sources.

Caine's fascinating book compares Paris past and present, with photos to illustrate the many changes the city has undergone. Caine runs the highly successful Paris Walks tour company (paris@paris-walks.com).

Diane's latest book about Paris, an intimate view of her neighborhood...

French style, style, style... an American obsession?

Harriet's hilarious explorations of life in Paris...

Another rib-tickler by the hilarious HWR.

Polly Platt's pioneering book on navigating the shoals of life in France... still going strong...

Investigates--and debunks--much of the nonsense in Dan Brown's mega-bestseller... This collection of essays has sold over 1 million copies. I contributed 2 pieces on Paris and the Da Vinci Code...

Did Leonardo da Vinci do penitence for hiding the secret story of Jesus and Mary Magdalene? How many times did Da Vinci walk the Rue Saint Jacques in Paris, tormented by guilt, invoking the name of the saint whose shrine in Compostella, Spain, is reached from Paris via… the basilica of Mary Magdalene in Vézelay? Did Da Vinci secretly walk sections of the Saint Jacques pilgrimage route from Paris (passing through the Louvre compound) to Tours en route to the royal château where King François 1er awaited him, and from there continue in secret to Vézelay? Did Leonardo, disguised as a woman, visit the crypt of the Mary Magdalene basilica in Vézelay to venerate her relics—and check on the real hiding place of the apocryphal documents relating to her life with Jesus?

Read A Skeptical Pilgrimage (publication date: September 2007) and you just might find out… In the meantime you can always re-read The Da Vinci Code and the many books that decrypt, decipher, demystify and debunk it…

Bravo, Peter Caine! The best thing about The Da Vinci Code is the way it has helped other worthy authors improve their livelihood...

Red Star Review

From Publishers Weekly
Food writer Downie explores the streets and alleys of Rome, gathering recipes from trattoria chefs, home cooks, and even his Roman-born mother in this wonderfully complete culinary tour of the Eternal City. The food of Rome has both inspired and been inspired by the food from other regions throughout Italy, and Downie highlights each recipe with history and anecdotes. For starters, Downie explores Rome's Jewish Ghetto and appears with Carciofi alla Giuda (Fried Artichokes, Jewish Style) and Fiori di Zucca Fritti (Fried Zucchini Flowers). Ubiquitous throughout Italy are two dishes-both of which are made with guanciale, cured pork jowl, and generous helpings of Pecorino Romano cheese: the Bucatini all'Amatriciana (named for the mountain town southeast of Rome) and the Spaghetti alla Carbonara (which many believe got its name from the dish's carbon-looking pepper flakes). Main meals include Martino al Forno (Monkfish Baked on a Bed of Lemony Potatoes) and the comfort dish, Frittata con le Zucchine (Zucchini Frittata with Fresh Mint and Pecorino Romano). For dessert there's the Christmastime special, Fichi Ripieni (Dried Figs Stuffed with Ricotto and Almonds and a summer cooler, La Granita di Caffe della Tazza d'Oro, a coffee granita. In his first cookbook, Downie has beautifully and evocatively captured the cuisine of one of the world's best-known cities.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

“It's the next best thing to being in Italy.” —William Murray, The New Yorker contributor and author of Italy, the Fatal Gift

“For good reason, the region has been called "Enchanted Liguria" by authors David Downie and Alison Harris. In their lavishly illustrated book (Rizzoli, 1997), this husband-and-wife team have vividly captured the culture, history, and daily life of this delightful place in pictures and words.” —Lorna Sass, Los Angeles Times syndicate

“… investigates the unique and often misunderstood character of Liguria and how that is reflected in its architecture, lifestyle and cuisine. It's a fascinating but unromanticized view of an insular people...” —Daniel Young, New York Daily News

“Beautifully presented... closes the way all fine things Italian must -- with a good meal, and Downie's flourish of fine wine and recipes leaves readers with a sense of Liguria that is as satisfyingly complete as it is mouthwateringly inviting.” —San Francisco Sunday Examiner

“Complete with authentic recipes, stunning photography by Alison Harris, and a detailed guide to cultural and epicurean hot spots, the 208-page book captures the spirit and customs of the hidden hilltop villages and enticing Riviera beaches of northwest Italy's Liguria region.” —Appellation Magazine

“Splendid illustrations and equally well written... This book is an act of love, but first and foremost a work of meticulous, heartfelt research... a tale of traditions, landscapes and beauties that, often, even Ligurians themselves do not know... Many will be surprised to discover a fantastic reality that they see every day and, precisely because of that, fail to capture.” —Il Secolo XIX

“The fruit of their labor is a very interesting book, destined to arouse the curiosity even of those who know -- or pretend to know -- Liguria inside and out.” —Il Giornale

Book Description

The only guidebook currently available to the section of St-Jacques trail from Cluny to Le Puy en Velay. In French, but comprehensible to anyone. Useful addresses, tips, tidbits of history.