The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France

Life is too short to read about someone else's mundane driving errors, or poorly described meals in order to make it to what is a quick and eclectic discussion of French history, seemingly ordered by a pre-set tourist itinerary. There's no real need to read about Bob and Ina's rushed meal at a fancy restaurant in Carcassonne in order to make the two o'clock castle tour. Once you get through that, however, you get to read about the tour guide, "dressed like a reject from the hippie movement of the sixties" in "a rumpled T-shirt and dungarees, [whose] blond hair was coiffured in oily shoulder-length curls--a style [Ina] is not particularly fond of in men."

This seems to be a "how-I-spent-my-summer-and-deducted-it-all" travelogue more than a serious effort at providing a travelers' history. We get someone else's tour reviews, bad lunches, good lunches, missed exits, oversleeping. If you are looking for Ina's history, with some observations about France tucked in, this may be for you.


A must read for anyone interested in intelligent travel   May 22, 1999
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Mrs. Caro has managed to deliver a plan for a trip to discover the best places in France and yet provides the reader with interesting , formative and delightful insight into French history. The human element is always present , and her trip could be anyone's trip,the author's obvious knowledge of history gives a real feeling for the stones she describes,and yet take on a life to themselves through her decriptions and explanations. Mrs Caro has managed to make the trip interesting, informative and above all respectful of events and the time line is simply fantastic. This book is worth the investment not only for the historical part which is a gem, but as a planning tool for a discovery trip. I speak from experience for I used her book to plan my 7 weeks trip in France last fall.It was a success , and in many ways thanks to the suggestions found in this lovely book.


A Must-Read for Travellers Who Love History   July 27, 2001
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

If you plan any kind of extensive visit of France to see its many historical treasures, you must read this book before setting off. Caro recommends a tour that is chronological, thus allowing you to appreciate how this marvellous country really developed. From the Roman ruins through the Medieval period to the chateaux of the Loire, Versailles and finally into Paris, this will give you spectacular, thoughtful background to help you organize a truly meaningful tour. Unfortunately Caro does not cover the country's pre-historic sites of interest, such as the alignments of Carnac in Brittany (which predate Stonehenge), so you'll have to content yourself with just the 2000 years she does discuss. Simply put: An outstanding contribution to travel literature, one that I wish I could find for other destinations!


For everyone who loves history and travel!   October 18, 1999
A Traveler (Chicago, IL USA)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

This book was a pleasure to read - insightful, interesting and well written. If you enjoy understanding the history of what you are visiting, this book is definitely worth your time. Read it in advance AND take it with you to France to re-read as you visit these wonderful places. My only regret is that her journey (and the history lesson) ends too early. Perhaps Ms Caro's next journey will take us from the French Revolution through World War II.