From its earliest days as a Gallic settlement beside the Seine to emergence one of foremost capitals Europe Paris tells compelling tale transformation resilience and renewal. In this expansive narrative Thomas Okey guides us through city’s Roman origins medieval struggles flowering Renaissance arts learning seismic convulsions revolution modernity. Along way we witness sieges strife kings revolts cafés boulevards all shaping living city that still casts spell today. Richly illustrated deeply researched volume is both history celebration in grandeur vulnerability. Whether you are lover history architecture art or simply human story place people work brings life—not static monument but perpetually renewing itself