"In the spring of 1978, as a young journalist in Paris, Elaine Sciolino was seduced by a river. In The Seine, she tells the story of that river through its rich history and lively characters-a bargewoman, a riverbank bookseller, a houseboat- dweller, a famous cinematographer known for capturing the river's light. She patrols with river police, rows with a restorer of antique boats, discovers a champagne vineyard, and even dares to swim in the Seine....

Explore the country where love, art and pleasure are considered national treasures. Visit the northern regions, with stops at Chartres Cathedral and Normandy's World War II battleground. See Paris, the "city of light," and the royal palace at Versailles. Tour the vineyards of Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux. Watch French chefs prepare mouth-watering delicacies. View the spectacular French Alps and the pastoral region of Provence.

Brian Bouldrey traveled to the island of Corsica, with its wine-dark Mediterranean waters, powdered-sugar beach sand, sumptuous cuisine, and fine wine. And then he walked away from all of them.
Bouldrey strapped on a backpack and walked across Napoleon's native land with the same spirit many choose to dance or drink: to celebrate, to mourn, to think, to avoid thinking, to recall, to ignore, to escape, and to arrive.
This wonderfully textured

...