THE UNRULY CITY by Mike Rapport (non-fic)

In “The Unruly City,” historian Mike Rapport presents three cities, New York City, London and Paris and the events which changed their citizens and the face of each city.  Roughly covering the period of unrest between 1765 and 1795, the author integrates and entwines this dangerous time of revolutionary thought and its rapid spread across the European continent and the Atlantic Ocean.  Rapport covers all aspects of city life, commercial, architectural, academic and governmental. We may be familiar with both the French and American revolutions, but it is important to recognize the profound changes that the events in these two countries had on London and England itself. I recommend this book as a well-written, interesting read of how events take on a life of their own and move men to greatness as well as failure.

THE PARIS SECRET by Karen Swan (fiction)

This is through and through a summer beach read.  It has the potential to be an interesting plot but is spoiled by the poorly drawn characters who seem only to care about bling and high fashion.  The author lovingly describes every designer article of clothing her characters are wearing including the designers of each piece. The actual plot, of some important paintings which were stolen in World War II and have only come to light, is readable.  But, the book is marred by the unreality of the characters and the neatly tied up ending.  The only positive I can say is that if you are looking for a light read, you could do worse.

MUNICH by Robert Harris (fiction)

The excellent Robert Harris has written another well-researched and fascinating novel.  It is September 1938 and Neville Chamberlain is going to Munich to meet with Hitler in a last ditch effort to halt the inevitable war on the horizon. Hitler is about to invade Czechoslovakia, and the PM has to decide whether to turn a blind eye and perhaps save England.  The history is well known, but what would happen if there was an underground plot to assassinate Hitler at the same time by Germans who wish to save their own country from slipping into a moral quagmire.  Hugh Legat, private secretary to Chamberlain, is caught up in the affair when he meets up with an old Oxford classmate who is in the center of the intrigue. Harris handles the plot with deftness, and though we imagine we know the outcome, it is still full of suspense.  I highly recommend this book, and by the way, if you haven’t read Harris before, his books are not to be missed.

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL by Anthony Bourdain (non-fic)

I never read this book when it came out at the turn of the century, though it had been recommended to me by several friends.  Because of the recent sad death of Chef Bourdain, I decided to pick it up.  It doesn’t matter that it was written some time ago; it is still fresh and interesting.  It is an eye-opener into the inner recesses of the kitchens of high end establishments and perhaps even your neighborhood bistro.  I highly recommend you read it if you haven’t.  It is timely, informative and may even make you think twice before you order that well-done piece of tuna or steak.