Rating: 
Summary: As enjoyable as expected
Review: Peter Mayle once again knows how to keep you riveted - it was hard to put down while reading these wonderful stories about particular events throughout France. Very funny at times and well written: it flows along at a good pace. If you know France and the French, it will confirm what you know. Otherwise, you will certainly learn something new (and unusual?) about the country and its people. A great simple read.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful armchair read
Review: Peter Mayle returns to France in his latest book, French Lessons, which focuses on French cuisine and culinary experiences. Here he travels from Provence to all corners of France, exploring small restaurants, village markets, food festivals and vineyards alike. Recommended for anyone with an interest in French culture and cuisine, French Lessons is a delightful armchair read of encounters with the French and their foods evolves.
Rating: 
Summary: More Of the Wonderful Same
Review: Peter Mayle takes you back to the world of bright sunlight, full bodied wine, and glorius food, all found in only one place according to him: Provence.
Here he focuses the book on various gastronomical festivals in the region including ones for, frog legs, snails, and a marathon that hands out various wines at pit stops.
All is told with the comfortable wit and charm that you've come to expect after three previous literary outings in the South of France. Not to be read with an empty stomach, but instead savored with a glass of good red wine and a slice of fragrant cheese.
Rating:
Summary: French Lessons as Taught by a Brit
Review: Peter Mayle's latest book is the first book from this writer's oeuvre that I have read. "French Lessons" is a collection of anecdotes often filled with wit and always filled with tales of adventure in different festivals and trips he took throughout France concerning food, wine, and missing only women. (Although his wife occasionally makes an appearance.) Nonetheless, I ask Mr. Mayle: Next time, take me with you. The writing is fast moving, the tales amusing, the dialogue funny, and the characters always entertaining, including Mr. Mayle himself as represented in this first-person narrative. Mr. Mayle has as a surveyor of French oenology and gastronomy succeeded on two levels: 1) The telling of interesting tales that make you want to pack your suitcase and get to France; and 2) He provides enough factual information--names, places, addresses, contacts--to make that happen for you. Short on recipes (there are a couple of culinary principles he sets forth for making a chicken dish and a mussles dish, for example) or on particular criticisms or insights regarding what the chef actually did to make the dishes he experiences so delicious, he nevertheless, succeeds in his foremost goal--to make the reader read his book. Finally, Mr. Mayle, this writer is on to you. It's no secret that you're no expert on food, wine, or, really, the culinary history of France. So why are we reading your book with such faith? What is your level of expertise to discuss these topics?
At bottom, Mayle's a good eater, a good drinker, and can spin a damn good yarn. If this along with some occasional factual notes that one could find in an encyclopedia is all one needs to eat and drink for free and publish a selling book, then Mr. Mayle might very well be a genius. Or a con artist. But when you finish the book, satisfied but hungry, what is the difference, really? I enjoyed the book, and so will you.
Rating:
Summary: Read Lightly with a Glass of Good Wine & Enjoy
Review: Peter Mayle's lighthearted romp through some of the greatest gastronomic events occurring in modern-day France. Here's an enjoyable and easy read that one can complete in one transcontinental flight or a couple of evenings before bedtime. In his continuing style of astute British observation in France, which served him so well in "A Year In Provence", Mayle walks you through festivals devoted to frog legs, French wine, gastronomic running marathons, near-nude dining of the beautiful (and rich) people at the beach and finally a trip to the 'fat farm'. I must admit Mayle had me busting with laughter as he describes the female attendant's methods to cleanse his body after the mud bath. As a finale, Mayer provides a few elusive insights into the creation of the "Michelin Guide". That famous organization that over a hundred years has kept its workings out of the public eye so that they can provide near truth for their restaurant and hotel ratings.
Rating:
Summary: Culinary Delight
Review: Reading this book made me want to take up French cooking and fly to France immediately to taste all the wonderful dishes Mayle describes. For anyone who loves food or reading or France, this is your book.I received this book for my birthday along with this amazing new beverage as an alternative to coffee. Made from 100% soy that's organic, its absolutely delicious! It's caffeine-free and comes in 8 delicious flavors. Just google it under "s oyfee" to find it and you won't be disappointed.
Once again Peter Mayle has proven that marketing is the best tonic. His books fill people up with all of the things that they seems to adore, food, wine, and a few anecdotes to make it go down with a laugh or two, and he sells it as neatly wrapped as a big Mac hamburger. The quality of the writing is not the question, nor actually is the content of his books as far as his depth of knowledge on French culture goes, it is all for fun, and fun for all. The depth that is lacking will not be missed by his adoring fans who would not know any better any way. I find the book is like an old cliche - you've heard it before but find it amusing since really to have an Englishman be called the high priest of French cuisine and wine is quite humourous in itself. The book is an easy read and not to worry if you get it wet at the beach, you can guess what the next line will be.
Rating: 
Summary: Light and fun -- Mayle rebounds
Review: Since "A Year in Provence" is such a charming memoir I was prompted to read Mayle's subsequent works in the now Provence series. However, while amusing, the latter works pale in comparison with the jewel like quality of the original. Though entertaining "Tourjours Provence" was a disappointing "sequel." Last year after reading "Encore Provence" I felt that Mayle had squeezed out all the juice he could get from the "Provencial" rind. So, with trepidation and low expectations I bought "French Lessons" and was pleasantly surprised. While not nearly as clever or heart warming as his initial work, "French Lessons" is fun, entertaining, and will heighten your appetite. It is an ideal work for the Francophile, or simply the reader who wishes to travel vicariously to France. It is a perfect summer beach, or long plane ride book.
Rating:
Summary: Fun & Food= France!!!!
Review: This book chronicles the adventures of Peter Mayle through the French country-side armed with knife, fork and corkscrew. His delightful sense of humor is present through out his epicurean journey. He attends amazing food events. There is the religious celebration of the black truffle, the marathon where every stop is hosted by a winery(complete with tastings through-out the 26.2 miles), a celebration of the most perfect chicken in all of France, (complete with blue feet), and the "interesting" fair of the Escargot! You will understand how seriously the French take their food when you read this book ..or do they just like to have fun... Well worth reading if you enjoy good food and anything French!!
Rating:
Summary: excellent book
Review: This is a must read book for any lover of France and the french culture foods and way of life. "A Year ib Provence," make one
want to pack up and move there to a very charming town and simpler way of life.
Rating:
Summary: excellent book
Review: This is a must read book for any lover of France and the french culture foods and way of life. "A Year ib Provence," make one
want to pack up and move there to a very charming town and simpler way of life.
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