McCullough has the rare talent of writing carefully researched history as a fascinating and readable story. In this book, he follows Americans who lived, studied and worked in Paris between 1830 and 1900–artists, doctors, inventors, writers, and politicians. Those who arrived penniless or with family wealth and who found knowledge, inspiration, and friends.
In the book McCullough introduces me to an American hero, Elihu Wahsburne. He was the American Ambassador to France 1869-1877. He stayed in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War including the siege of Paris and during the Commune of Paris. He was brave, practical, unpretentious, and compassionate. He helped sneak the Empress out of Paris after her husband was captured and his government collapsed, he organized a field hospital, he worked to evacuate German civilians and feed those caught during the siege.
The book feels a little disjointed as the author follows one then another American and then ties them down to various points in history.
I highly recommend this book to those planning a trip to Paris.

Left in the Little Free Library