Paris During the Commune

by William Gibson
This book is a collection of letters written by a British Methodist minister who was responsible for a Paris circuit. It is compulsive reading as he outlines what it was like living as an ex-pat during the bloody weeks of the Commune. In many ways it offers an alternative view, suggesting at times it was not as bad as it seemed and suggesting the commune were just a bunch of rabble rousers. Even though the description of Paris burning and the column in place vendome being pulled down are absorbing. For the immediacy and quirky angle this is well worth a read. You will need to get a second hand copy. 8/10