Paris Insights - An Anthology is at once witty, original, absorbing, and a swift read. It offers precisely the kind of insider's view of the French capital - and the people who live there - that first or even second time visitors pine for. It offers the tips and historical details that can help them transform a Paris stay from a mundane tourist excursion into an extraordinary experience. The essays give fresh perspectives on Notre-Dame, les Champs-Elysées, and other Paris classics. At the same time, they offer up-to-date information about the hipper, newer cafes and other venues and trends taking hold in this ever-changing European urban stronghold. And for those who just want to know where to get the best hot chocolate, coffee, and croissant in the city, it's got lots of answers, too. Forget the standard guidebooks. This is a Paris traveler's must-read. - Gary Lee, travel writer, author, and longtime Paris homeowner