Description: By the end of the nineteenth century Paris was widely acknowledged as the cultural capital of the world; Edinburgh by contrast may still be thought of as a rather staid city of lawyers and Presbyterian ministers, academics and doctors. Yet despite this apparent cultural opposition, Professor Reynolds argues that in fact both cities shared a number of similar concerns and ideals that were fostered and developed by growing links and international travel. This book seeks not to treat Paris-Edinburgh links in isolation, or to exaggerate them, but to use them to provide a fresh perspective on the internationalism of the Belle Epoque.
Review Quotes: '... Reynolds's well-crafted account adds new dimensions of complexity to the view of Paris as the capital of modernity around 1900.' H-France 'There is much lively and thought-provoking detail in Reynold's book, which also raises some suggestive wider issues.' French Studies 'This study, obviously inspired by the fondness of its author for both cities, is beautifully illustrated and is relevant to several different fields of research (history, cultural studies, gender studies, sociology, arts and architecture). It offers the reader an extremely well-documented perspective on both cities whilst leading him/her in an entertaining (re)discovery of Paris and Edinburgh architecture, buildings and monuments. ... The book is divided into eight skilfully linked chapters. ... Overall, this book will appeal to both specialists and nonspecialists of history and cultural studies. Whilst being an invaluable reference for the former, it invites the latter to take an exciting journey renewed several times back and forth in time and space.' Modern & Contemporary France