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Rating: 
Summary: Worth it
Review: A great all round guide, took the guesswork out of most aspects of the trip. If you take time to read and digest this book, this may be the only reference guide you will ever need (plus a decent map like the Streetwise) -- especially if you are going for the first time. We went to two of the restaurants mentioned in this book and they were both top notch, with excellent food and service (in English) and low prices -- a definite rarity in Paris. That alone paid for the book twice over. Also, the walking guides and tips were very useful in planning our days. In fact, the only advice in this book that I'd disagree with would be "Tips for dressing" -- I wore ratty jeans with black sneakers all through, even to the decent restaurants, and found to my surprise that so did everyone else. In fact it makes you fit in better with local young and the hip :-)
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I dearly love the city of Paris, and have been a fan of the "for Dummies" series of books, so when I saw that a "Paris for Dummies" was being published, I was excited and ordered a copy even though publication was still months away. I hate to say this, but I found the book very disappointing. On the positive side, the opening hours of the attractions and the prices for them, hotels, and restaurants should be the most up-to-date available, and the exchange rate used in the calculations is more accurate than most older guidebooks. On the negative side, I found it very shallow in its coverage. Specifically on the shortcomings, the description of using the Metro, possibly the world's best and easiest subway system, was very incomplete, not covering the free transfers from one line to another and the book failed to mention (unless I totally missed it) the Museum and Monument Pass, an excellent bargain for seeing most of the major sights and many of the minor sights for one price. That was my favorite part of my last visit to Paris, being able to see so many sights, including some very worthwhile ones I would probably have passed up without it. I also felt the listing of hotels was very prejudicial against the outlying areas. With a subway system as good as the one in Paris, why would the author steer everyone to the tourist areas, when the outlying areas offer the same services and prices but more of the real Parisian charm and are just as accessible by a short Metro ride. I see the "Complete Idiot's Guide" and "for DUmmies" series of books as major competitors against each other,and if you are going to Paris, buy the "Complete Idiot's Guide" instead. The information is much more complete and the author makes the presentation far more interesting. Although about two years old now, the opening times and prices cannot have changed enough to make it that out of date.
Rating:
Summary: Great resource for first time visitors to Paris
Review: I looked at several travel guides of Paris and found that this one had the most practical advice and suggestions. The metro stop information on each point-of-interest and accomodation suggestions by neighborhood was invaluable. It made our travels around Paris much easier. I also highly recommend taking the bike tour of Paris, which is listed in this book. It was a lot of fun! Ignore the clothing advice though, people in Paris do where blue jeans!
Rating:
Summary: Ooh la la!
Review: I'd have to respectfully disagree with the other review. I also love Paris... I've lived there on and off over the past few years. And I'm also a big fan of both the "Dummies" books and the "Complete Idiot's Guides"... I found this author's take on the City of Lights to be thorough and insightful as well as downright pleasing to read. I've talked to a lot of people who are heading to Paris. My sense is that they're almost all going there with things in mind that they want to see and do... but also with an (irrational) fear of not being able to do it because of the "language barrier" (which is pretty much non-existent these days). This book is a perfect, gentle guide for those who are about to hit Paris as "Innocents Abroad." I definitely got the feeling that the author who put this book together was as excited and passionate about Paris as I was the first time and as I am every time I get to go back. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: Ooh la la!
Review: I'd have to respectfully disagree with the other review. I also love Paris... I've lived there on and off over the past few years. And I'm also a big fan of both the "Dummies" books and the "Complete Idiot's Guides"... I found this author's take on the City of Lights to be thorough and insightful as well as downright pleasing to read. I've talked to a lot of people who are heading to Paris. My sense is that they're almost all going there with things in mind that they want to see and do... but also with an (irrational) fear of not being able to do it because of the "language barrier" (which is pretty much non-existent these days). This book is a perfect, gentle guide for those who are about to hit Paris as "Innocents Abroad." I definitely got the feeling that the author who put this book together was as excited and passionate about Paris as I was the first time and as I am every time I get to go back. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: Clarifying a review
Review: Of course, I'm going to give it five stars, I'm the author! But seriously, while I wouldn't usually respond to a negative review, there are some misunderstandings in Mr. Parton's review that must be addressed and corrected. First, this guide is targeted to those unfamiliar with Paris, though listings were chosen to include things of interest to the seasoned Paris visitor, too. It was written and designed for people to look at on the go, a book that won't have you wading through information to get to the news you can use (page 3), which accounts for its basic coverage. Secondly, Mr. Parton's comment that I'm prejudiced against hotels outside the first eight arrondissements concerns me. I've stayed all over Paris, particularly the 13th, and have had no problems. However, in the introduction to the hotels on page 65, I explained why I only mention the hotels in the first 8 arrondissements: "My first step was to consider the average traveler's wish list. And for most of you, that's location. Thus, the first criterion was simple: If the hotel isn't located in the first eight arrondissements, I don't recommend it in this book." Third, Mr. Parton was concerned that the Carte Musee et Monuments isn't mentioned in the book. It's on page 31, listed as a bargain alert and a great deal. Finally, the subway system is described in very good detail (from how to enter the system to a sidebar about where you can get a taxi after the Metro closes (pages 111-113). I'm sorry Mr. Parton was disappointed. However, I believe this book fulfills its promise to present the reader with to-the-point information on Paris that's fun and easy to access (p.3).
Rating:
Summary: Dummies Don't Belong in Paris
Review: We studied this book most of the spring and went to Paris the end of May. This book nearly ruined our long anticipated trip to Paris. The metro map and the map showing some of the restaurants are wrong. The recommendation to go to the Hippopotamus restaurant chain was also a bad idea (cockroaches in the kitchen and bad service). In general the description of how to do things (i.e. ride the metro, storing valuables in the hotel, getting hotel reservations, etc.) is wrong. The descriptions of most of the tourist sites were OK. But other travel guides are more interesting and complete.
So if you want to be lost in a foreign land with unsanitary food... this book is for you!!! If you are looking for some intelligent help and good suggestions look elsewhere. Some quick advice: 1. Get a Paris Visa for the metro, RER, and buses. Those maps are excellant. Realize the stations that have transfers between different metro lines and RER are very big and require long walks. 2. Get a Museums and Monuments Pass. It saves time and money, and has a great list of tourist sites. 3. Finding good food is very easy. Walk around and read the menus posted at the doors. 4. Throw the "Paris for Dummies" book in the ... before you leave.
Rating:
Summary: Dummies Don't Belong in Paris
Review: We studied this book most of the spring and went to Paris the end of May. This book nearly ruined our long anticipated trip to Paris. The metro map and the map showing some of the restaurants are wrong. The recommendation to go to the Hippopotamus restaurant chain was also a bad idea (cockroaches in the kitchen and bad service). In general the description of how to do things (i.e. ride the metro, storing valuables in the hotel, getting hotel reservations, etc.) is wrong. The descriptions of most of the tourist sites were OK. But other travel guides are more interesting and complete.
So if you want to be lost in a foreign land with unsanitary food... this book is for you!!! If you are looking for some intelligent help and good suggestions look elsewhere. Some quick advice: 1. Get a Paris Visa for the metro, RER, and buses. Those maps are excellant. Realize the stations that have transfers between different metro lines and RER are very big and require long walks. 2. Get a Museums and Monuments Pass. It saves time and money, and has a great list of tourist sites. 3. Finding good food is very easy. Walk around and read the menus posted at the doors. 4. Throw the "Paris for Dummies" book in the ... before you leave.
Rating:
Summary: Worth it
Review: We were surprised after lugging Frommer's, and Michelin books to Paris that 'Dummies' gave the best recommendations. Restaurants were out of the way places, few tourists, polite (as Parisians can be) service, and excellent food at reasonable prices.
The maps were adequate even for amateur mapreaders. Metro info was good. Open hours for all sites we visited was correct.
The tip to visit Notre Dame was a winner. We showed up at 8 AM to a deserted cathedral all to ourselves. We passed by there later at 11 and it was mayhem.
This being the better guide was indeed unexpected.
Rating: 
Summary: unexpected
Review: We were surprised after lugging Frommer's, and Michelin books to Paris that 'Dummies' gave the best recommendations. Restaurants were out of the way places, few tourists, polite (as Parisians can be) service, and excellent food at reasonable prices.
The maps were adequate even for amateur mapreaders. Metro info was good. Open hours for all sites we visited was correct.
The tip to visit Notre Dame was a winner. We showed up at 8 AM to a deserted cathedral all to ourselves. We passed by there later at 11 and it was mayhem.
This being the better guide was indeed unexpected.
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