A beautiful book, the perfect gift to enhance bookshelves

The beautiful book on Antiquity by Laurent Avezou

From the beginning of writing to the final fall of Rome, historian Laurent Avezou retraces the saga of the Antiquity era with 180 masterpieces that marked the history of humanity. An amazing journey into the past, spanning 5 continents, filled with images of figureheads, events, objects and mythical venues. To read all at once or to enjoy in keeping with your whims. Published by Editions Dunod, 29 €.

The cover of this book will maybe influence you to choose a few sculptures to decorate the living room bookshelves . © DR

Stéphane Bern, The Renaissance

More fascinating than ever, many of the beautiful stories, told by « Mr Patrimony », can be found in this work dedicated to the Renaissance. A turning point dear to builders and inventors that leads us into the intimacy of François 1er, Lucrecia Borgia, Machiavel or Leonardo da Vinci. Real Secrets of History to share with family and friends. Published by Albin Michel, 25 €.

The famed broadcaster unveils here the secrets of a period that invented the world that we know today. © DR

Art in Detail

Art lovers, this book is made for you ! Leafing through its pages, you will enter in the intimacy of 100 famous masterpieces, from the Middle Ages to our era. For each one of them, 2 double pages are articulated around 3 reading levels : a general overview, a historical and technical introduction, with an artistic context and zooms to make the interpretation more precise. Published by  Eyrolles, 32 €.

Leafing through the pages of Susie Hodge will give you different outlook on art history. © DR

Gastronomic Atlas of France

The gourmet collection of Jean-Robert Pitte is an invitation to rediscover one of the most beautiful treasures of our patrimony : its gastronomy. Oreiller de la Belle Aurore, Demoiselles de Cherbourg à la nage, mogettes de Vendée, rigotte de Condrieu, angélique de Niort, its inventory of French culinary delights moves from the table of kings to the market of Rungis. Delightful ! Published by Armand Collin,  26 €.

Most signature dishes of the Hexagon are featured in this book. Bon appétit ! © DR

Barbara

One word, a name, a myth in the world of music. The death of the singer, twenty years ago is celebrated today by the recital of Gérard Depardieu at the Théâtre du Châtelet, a film by Mathieu Amalric with actress Jeanne Balibar, an exhibition at the Philarmonie de Paris, and this superb book soberly entitled, Barbara, featuring fascinating new documents and insights on « The Lady in Black ». Published by Flammarion, 35 €.

Barbara is about to become the most popular book this Christmas ! © DR

Paris Mystères

Prefaced by Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, this book at the origin of a TV series, explores captivating mysteries associated to the capital : phantom of the Opera, secrets of the Knights Templars, alchemyst Nicolas Flamel, poisons and black masses at the Kings' court. In 6 illustrated chapters, these enigmas reveal a strange and fascinating city. Suspense at every page… Published by Bayard, 25 €.

Starting with the crypt of Notre-Dame to the Catacombs, discover the Mysteries of Paris. © DR