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Original Essays | June 17, 2013

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Eiffel's Tower: And the World's Fair Where Buffalo Bill Beguiled Paris, the Artists Quarreled, and Thomas Edison Became a Count

Eiffel's Tower: And the World's Fair Where Buffalo Bill Beguiled Paris, the Artists Quarreled, and Thomas Edison Became a Count Cover

ISBN13: 9780670020607
ISBN10: 0670020605
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The story of the world-famous monument and the extraordinary world's fair that introduced it

Since it opened in May 1889, the Eiffel Tower has been an iconic image of modern times-as much a beacon of technological progress as an enduring symbol of Paris and French culture. But as engineer Gustave Eiffel built the now-famous landmark to be the spectacular centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair, he stirred up a storm of vitriol from Parisian tastemakers, lawsuits, and predictions of certain structural calamity.

In Eiffel's Tower, Jill Jonnes, critically acclaimed author of Conquering Gotham, presents a compelling account of the tower's creation and a superb portrait of Belle Epoque France. As Eiffel held court that summer atop his one-thousand-foot tower, a remarkable host of artists and personalities-Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Gauguin, Whistler, and Edison-traveled to Paris and the Exposition Universelle to mingle and make their mark.

Like The Devil in the White City, Brunelleschi's Dome, and David McCullough's accounts of the building of the Panama Canal and the Brooklyn Bridge, Eiffel's Tower combines technological and social history and biography to create a richly textured portrayal of an age of aspiration, dreams, and progress.

Review:

"A colorful cast of characters descended on Paris for the 1889 World's Fair, and Jonnes (Conquering Gotham) offers an atmospheric overview of the celebrities who made belle poque Paris their stage during the memorable event. Annie Oakley amazed crowds with her precisely executed shots. Thomas Edison, a master at promoting both himself and modern technology, chafed at the leisurely French way of life, delighted the masses with his phonograph and chatted with Louis Pasteur at his institute. Paul Gauguin was enthralled by a troupe of Javanese temple dancers and miffed that the Americans only intended to exhibit 17 of his 27 etchings, while James McNeill Whistler, who delighted in provocations and feuds, decamped to the British, who displayed even fewer of his works. The fair's undisputed main attraction both at the fair and in Jonnes's account, was the controversial wrought-iron tower of unprecedented height that, Jonnes says, appeals for both its technological genius and its 'aerial playfulness and charm.' It perfectly embodies 'the triumph of the modern' that Jonnes so well captures in her sprightly account. Photos." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

Like "The Devil in the White City" and David McCullough's accounts of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, "Eiffel's Tower" combines technological and social history to create a richly textured portrayal of an age of aspiration, dreams, and programs. 44 photos.

Synopsis:

The story of the world-famous monument and the extraordinary world's fair that introduced it

In this first general history of the Eiffel Tower in English, Jill Jonnes-acclaimed author of Conquering Gotham-offers an eye- opening look not only at the construction of one of the modern world's most iconic structures, but also the epochal event that surrounded its arrival as a wonder of the world. In this marvelously entertaining portrait of Belle Époque France, fear and loathing over Eiffel's brash design share the spotlight with the celebrities that made the 1889 Exposition Universelle an event to remember-including Buffalo Bill and his sharpshooter Annie Oakley, Thomas Edison, and artists Whistler, Gauguin, and van Gogh. Eiffel's Tower is a richly textured portrait of an era at the dawn of modernity, reveling in the limitless promise of the future.

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About the Author

Jill Jonnes is the author of Conquering Gotham, Empires of Light, and South Bronx Rising. She was named a National Endowment for the Humanities scholar and has received several grants from the Ford Foundation. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Nomi, December 26, 2009 (view all comments by Nomi)
I read this book before leaving for a trip to Paris last month. It contained an amazing amount of information about engineering, the art world, the exposition. We took it with us to read parts of it while we were there. It gave a lot of insight to the fantastic structure. Enjoyed this book thoroughly although it didn't have the gripping storyline of Devil in the White City. Highly recommended.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780670020607
Subtitle:
The Thrilling Story Behind Paris's Beloved Monument and theExtraordinary World's Fair That Introduced It
Publisher:
Penguin Books
Author:
Jonnes, Jill
Subject:
Tour Eiffel (Paris, France)
Subject:
Eiffel, Gustave
Subject:
Study & Teaching
Subject:
Europe - France
Subject:
Social history
Subject:
France
Edition Description:
B-Hardcover
Publication Date:
20100427
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Illustrations:
b/w photos throughout
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
9.30x6.20x1.30 in. 1.25 lbs.
Age Level:
18-17
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Related Subjects

History and Social Science » Europe » France » Third Republic
History and Social Science » World History » France » General
History and Social Science » World History » General

Eiffel's Tower: And the World's Fair Where Buffalo Bill Beguiled Paris, the Artists Quarreled, and Thomas Edison Became a Count
0 stars - 0 reviews
$ In Stock
Product details 368 pages Viking Books - English 9780670020607 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "A colorful cast of characters descended on Paris for the 1889 World's Fair, and Jonnes (Conquering Gotham) offers an atmospheric overview of the celebrities who made belle poque Paris their stage during the memorable event. Annie Oakley amazed crowds with her precisely executed shots. Thomas Edison, a master at promoting both himself and modern technology, chafed at the leisurely French way of life, delighted the masses with his phonograph and chatted with Louis Pasteur at his institute. Paul Gauguin was enthralled by a troupe of Javanese temple dancers and miffed that the Americans only intended to exhibit 17 of his 27 etchings, while James McNeill Whistler, who delighted in provocations and feuds, decamped to the British, who displayed even fewer of his works. The fair's undisputed main attraction both at the fair and in Jonnes's account, was the controversial wrought-iron tower of unprecedented height that, Jonnes says, appeals for both its technological genius and its 'aerial playfulness and charm.' It perfectly embodies 'the triumph of the modern' that Jonnes so well captures in her sprightly account. Photos." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Synopsis" by , Like "The Devil in the White City" and David McCullough's accounts of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, "Eiffel's Tower" combines technological and social history to create a richly textured portrayal of an age of aspiration, dreams, and programs. 44 photos.
"Synopsis" by ,
The story of the world-famous monument and the extraordinary world's fair that introduced it

In this first general history of the Eiffel Tower in English, Jill Jonnes-acclaimed author of Conquering Gotham-offers an eye- opening look not only at the construction of one of the modern world's most iconic structures, but also the epochal event that surrounded its arrival as a wonder of the world. In this marvelously entertaining portrait of Belle Époque France, fear and loathing over Eiffel's brash design share the spotlight with the celebrities that made the 1889 Exposition Universelle an event to remember-including Buffalo Bill and his sharpshooter Annie Oakley, Thomas Edison, and artists Whistler, Gauguin, and van Gogh. Eiffel's Tower is a richly textured portrait of an era at the dawn of modernity, reveling in the limitless promise of the future.
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