This book captures every aspect of Paris and its inhabitants: urban acrobats take to the streets, a sandaled nun crosses the capital on a city bike, extravagant partygoers strike memorable silhouettes during gay pride, children frolic in city fountains on a steamy summer day, and aging friends enjoy an aperitif at Les Deux Magots. The Parisian landscape is illuminated through photographs of the snow-covered Canal Saint-Martin at night, the Ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde, a balloon launch at the July Column, and a Bastille Day aerial parade of military planes leaving ribbons of blue, white, and red smoke in their wake. Rare glimpses behind the scenes include a table set for intimate dining in the Salon des Ambassadeurs at the presidential Élysée Palace, the empty stage at the Opéra Comique, and a taxidermist at work at the natural history museum. From amateur fashionistas strutting their stuff to tourists posing with masterpieces in the Louvre to miniature dogs in miniature coats, this is an authentic portrait of Paris today.

Born in the shadow of Windsor Castle in Great Britain, the author left England for the Mediterranean in search of the sun. Adventures in several capitals allowed him to meet other expatriates who crossed deserts and mountains to observe conflicts, culture and decolonisation. His artwork, photography and theatrical presence left their mark in several cities, ending up as a radio-television journalist and presenter for French State media. As an English expatriate, Paris Made Me offers an objective view of European evolution as seen from France, souvenirs of helping Lawrence Durrell on Cyprus when the island was becoming a Republic, performing in a Roman temple in Lebanon and meeting Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, capturing the city of Beirut in photographs and filming in Copenhagen, before Paris beckoned him to become a journalist for Paris Radio France Internationale and Radio Australia, meeting such celebrities such as Orson Wells, Audrey Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier, Peter Ustinov and Jacques Brel.

Paris has come for piano lessons, not chopped-liver sandwiches or French lessons or free advice. But when old Mrs. Rosen gives her a little bit more than she can handle, it might be just what Paris needs to understand the bully in her brother’s life…and the bullies of the world. This companion novel to the award-winning Sahara Special is an affecting look at what it means to be your brother’s keeper, and how we hold onto hope when the world seems dark. (Rose-colored glasses optional.)