Notre-Dame

The Soul of France

Notre-Dame
Agnes Poirier
RRP:
NZ$ 32.99
Our Price:
NZ$ 26.39
Hardback
h225 x 146mm - 240pg
2 Apr 2020 UK
International import eta 7-19 days
9781786077998
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
The profound emotion felt around the world upon seeing images of Notre-Dame in flames opens up a series of questions: Why was everyone so deeply moved? Why does Notre-Dame so clearly crystallise what our civilisation is about? What makes ' Our Lady of Paris' the soul of a nation and a symbol of human achievement? What is it that speaks so directly to us today? In answer, Agnes Poirier turns to the defining moments in Notre-Dame' s history. Beginning with the laying of the corner stone in 1163, she recounts the conversion of Henri IV to Catholicism, the coronation of Napoleon, Victor Hugo' s nineteenth-century campaign to preserve the cathedral, Baron Haussmann' s clearing of the streets in front of it, the Liberation in 1944, the 1950s film of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, starring Gina Lollobrigida and Anthony Quinn, and the state funeral of Charles de Gaulle, before returning to the present. The conflict over Notre-Dame' s reconstruction promises to be fierce. Nothing short of a cultural war is already brewing between the wise and the daring, the sincere and the opportunist, historians and militants, the devout and secularists. It is here that Poirier reveals the deep malaise - gilet jaunes and all - at the heart of the France.
' Vivid and engrossing. . . the opening chapter repays the cover price: a breathless, exhaustively researched and utterly unputdownable account of the drama. . elegant, witty and constantly informative. ' * Observer * ' This is not so much a history of the 850-year-old cathedral as an act of thanksgiving for its unknown medieval builders and its modern restorers. Poirier has interviewed several of those involved in the salvage operations. Their emotional involvement with the cathedral and its relics is at the heart of this engaging book. ' -- Spectator ' Brisk and entertaining. . . there is much to be learned here. ' -- Literary Review ' A passionately recounted history, a compelling story of destruction, restoration and the rebirth of hope. ' -- Michele Roberts ' I doubt that any book published this year will start with a more gripping opening chapter than hers. . . Poirier recounts these and many other stories with terrific elan and a wry eye for eccentric details. ' -- The Times
Agnes Poirier is a writer, commentator and broadcaster. She is a regular contributor on politics and arts for the BBC, CNN, Sky News, Channel 4 and France 24, and she writes for the Guardian, Observer, The Times, Evening Standard and The New York Times, among others. Her most recent book is the acclaimed Left Bank: Art, Passion and the Rebirth of Paris, 1940-50, which is currently being translated into half-a-dozen languages. She lives in Paris and visits London regularly. @AgnesCPoirier
Status: Active
ISBN-13: 9781786077998
Published: 2 Apr 2020
Published In: United Kingdom
Imprint: Oneworld Publications
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Format: Hardback
Height: 225mm
Width: 146mm
Spine: 23mm
Pages: 240

In stock - for items in stock we aim to dispatch the next business day. For delivery in NZ allow 2-5 business days, with rural taking a wee bit longer.

Locally sourced in NZ - stock comes from a NZ supplier with an approximate delivery of 7-15 business days.

International Imports - stock is imported into NZ, depending on air or sea shipping option from the international supplier stock can take 10-30 working days to arrive into NZ. 

Pre-order Titles - delivery will vary depending on where the title is published, if local stock is available in NZ then 5-7 business days, for international imports it can be 10-30 business days. In all cases we will access the quickest supply option.

Delivery Packaging - we ship all items in cardboard sleeves or by box with either packing paper or corn starch chips. (We avoid using plastics bubble bags)

Tracking - Orders are delivered by track and trace courier and are fully insured, tracking information will be sent by email once dispatched.

View our full Order & Delivery information