Bridges of Paris by Michael Saint James is a very highly recommended absolutely gorgeous collection of 355 photographs in a large format coffee table book. Everyone who has walked through my living room has been totally enraptured for weeks by the photographs in this book.

Michael Saint James includes all the information and organization I could possibly wish for along with the photos. You need to visit his website for a taste of the book, photos, and the list of bridges. He opens with an introduction and then a historical panorama of the building of the bridges. The bridges are organized by Island Bridges, Palace Bridges, Downstream Bridges, and Upstream Bridges. Included are maps of Paris, an index, bibliography Then we get to the pages and pages of luscious photographs.

At the beginning of each section you will see a satellite map showing and naming all the bridges. Then the individual bridge is named again on another satellite map at the opening of the section for that specific bridge. Vital statistics are included: when the first bridge in this location was built, when the current bridge was opened, the length, width, how many arches, and what the bridge is used for -pedestrians and/or traffic and a brief history. It is absolutely an ideal way to present and organize the information and the photos of the bridges.

I went through and bookmarked individual photos I loved or found stunning. Look at the author's website for many photos: http://www.bridgesofparis.com/index.html
There is one small photo of the author crossing the first bridge on the Seine near Source de la Seine in Burgundy that found delightful, although it's not officially a bridge in Paris.

Truly Bridges of Paris captures la joie de vivre (the joy of life).

Just a note in passing: Normally review copies are rather plain. The covers may not be final yet, sometimes photos and maps are simple noted with a place holder. I usually file them out of sight on a bookcase near my desk before reading them. I was surprised to receive an exquisite review copy of Bridges of Paris, with an impressive cover photo and then full of pages of gorgeous color photographs. I immediately placed it on my coffee table, with the thought that such a beautiful book with such sumptuous photographs was meant to be shared. It was a magnet for everyone who walked in to the room and I lost count of the number of times I heard the words "gorgeous photos!"


Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and iRead Book Tours for review purposes. ( )