PTEE Literary Gift Guide

PTEE's Guest Chef shows you how to replicate those mouthwatering confections that reside in the windows of her favorite Paris patisseries and boulangeries. Pierre Hermé, Lionel Poilane, André Lerch and Christian Constant are but a few of the world- renowned creators of heavenly delights who share their secrets with Dorie.

Read our interview with Dorie Greenspan

Long time Francophile and author of The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916 and The Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962, perhaps the most evenhanded observation of the collapse of colonialism and its impact on the colonizer turns his attention to modern Paris from the twelfth century to the aftermath of May 1968.

This rich and serious overview of French history with a cast of memorable characters is lightened by such detail as the meaning of abélardizer to describe the painful process by which Peter Abelard was relieved of his manhood for loving the young Héloise or the fact that although Josephine had over 600 winter dresses and 200 of the summer variety she had only 2 pair of underwear.

The extraordinary but underreported life of Natalie Barney began in 1876 and ended 96 years later. She knew Sarah Bernhardt, hosted the longest running weekly salon in French history that reached its height in Les Annés Folles and lived a guilt-free, open life that contemporary feminists can only dream of.

Ms. Rodrigez's meticulously researched and beautifully written book is a must read for anyone interested in the Paris of the Lost Generation and the social evolution of the modern western woman.

Read our interview with Suzanne Rodriguez