Almost everything a fan of the Paris Metro could want is here. Although a lot of background on the genesis of the subway is presented, along with some of the hurtles of digging the tunnels, the main focus is on the maps, most of which are small illustrations that only give one an overall idea of its presentation and utility. Many of the photos of stations and their entrances are postage-stamp in size, which is a shame, because the art deco/art nouveau detail is often very attractive and interesting. Early on in the book there are design and construction details that only whet one's appetite for more (such as the decision to use beveled-edge tile to help reflect light).

The book is most useful for Paris residents with a curiosity about when certain "lignes" were added, or how a particular station design came about. The system is organic, a monster of engineering design that keeps expanding over the decades. A cutaway diagram of one "correspondence", where several lignes come together, shows just how complex the problem is of getting passengers from one to another.

But my eyes started to glaze over at a certain point; one can only stare at hundreds of subway maps rendered in a 3"x4" size for so long.

I had wanted more detail on station design and innovation. I remember taking the Paris subway in the 80's and the use of the magnetic-strip tickets. This is one case of automation with unattended consequences. These little yellow tickets littered the ground of stations, the steps, and the entrance/exits.

By the way, one reviewer listed what they thought were the greatest subway systems in the world. Having used the London tube, the New York subway, and the Paris system over multiple visits, I have to add Berlin to their list. I have made many extended visits to Berlin and lived there for a while (my spouse is a native), and their system is first-rate: the U-Bahn connects to the regional S-Bahn system, and bus stops are present at every station. I don't know about other cities, but I could also take my bike on the train. Many stations have elevators that help folks in wheel chairs as well as those with bikes, cumbersome parcels, or luggage. And the stations and trains are clean. I'd like to see a book like this on the Berlin U-Bahn! ( )

In contrast to a previous book on mass transit maps in general, this one focuses on the Paris system, in glorious and informative depth. There is a great deal to enjoy here, including the origins of the system, the design of the famous entrances, and how the system has grown and evolved over the century or more in service. Lovingly and lavishly illustrated. Of great interest to mass transit buffs, but also to lovers of Paris. ( )

This is a beautiful romp into Parisian transport history through maps. The Paris Métro is one of the great rapid transit systems in the world, along with those in London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Moscow. Perhaps every style of map of the the underground in Paris is represented in this book and layed out beautifully. It is not only a treasure for transit fans, but also for anyone who loves Paris. Although commuter rail lines had been opened up in the latter part of the 19th century, and there had been many proposals for rapid transit, the first line did not open up until the year 1900 (the first underground in Europe was in Budapest; the first in the United States was in Boston). Paris' lines twist through various neighborhoods in order to serve the whole city, but the lines were all developed with two tracks, unilke New York, which has some lines with four tracks to allow express service. But in 1969, the RER (Reseau Express Régional) opened its first line to enable an express service for Paris and its close-in suburbs (not serviced by commuter railroads). The RER lines complement the regular Métro lines, rather than parallel them. It should be nored that the use of rubber-tired trains was pioneered in Paris, and influence greatly the Montreal and Mexico City metros. ( )