Eiffel's Tower: The Thrilling Story Behind Paris's Beloved Monument and the Extraordinary World's Fair That Introduced It

During the restoration of the Statue of Liberty some years ago, I supervised several museum projects relating to its history and construction, which attracted me to the life and work of the famous French engineer, Gustave Eiffel. Everyone knows that his company designed and built the Eiffel Tower, but few know that they were also responsible for the internal support structure of America's most famous symbol. The builder of a number of remarkable railroad viaducts including the magnificent Garabit bridge, Eiffel immortalized himself with the unprecedented construction of the 300 meter tower, known to all the world as the Effel Tower. So, when any books appear on the market relating to Eiffel, I feel compelled to have it. Such was true when I came across Jill Jonnes' newest publication, "Eiffel's Tower," I bought it. And from the day it arrived as I perused the first few pages, I found it utterly irresistible. Confronted with the life of a very complex personality and a long list of masterful achievements as is the case with Eiffel, Jonnes sensibly keeps her focus on the building of the tower as the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris Exposition, but sets it in the context of the many other fascinating individuals whose lives and activities--at least for a time--revolved around the tower. As the tower gradually rises to the heavens in the face of mounting controversy and public criticism, it serves as a backdrop to a veritable who's who of characters, including Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Thomas Alva Edison, Rosa Bonheur, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and James McNeill Whistler, whose various adventures are played out in its ever-extending shadow. Jonnes' well-researched account does not ignore the engineering aspects of the Tower's construction, such as the frustrating problems with the installation of the elevator system, but she knows the right moment to pull away and pick up on any one of the several story-lines that gradually evolve throughout the book. As history, it has the taste and feel of really good fiction. But don't expect a dry historical kind of ending, which in so many cases, merely . . . .ends. "Eiffel's Tower" concludes in triumph and tragedy with the completion of the tower to world-wide praise and recognition on all sides (well, almost), followed by the Panama Canal disaster which fell heavily on the shoulders of Eiffel. Highly recommended.

Having visited the Eiffel Tower and being a lover of all things historic, this book was for me. From the first page, I was hooked. I knew that the building of the tower had been somewhat problematic but I had no idea exactly what obstacles were overcome during the construction of this monument. It is part history text, part adventure and suspense potboiler and a how-to book along with a biography of some of the world's most interesting characters. This book kept me coming back for more, I devoured it and found myself reading interesting facts aloud to my spouse. I found this to be both fast paced and exciting, the context and writing transported me to another time and place. The description of Eiffel's apartment atop his tower and his parties were simply fabulous. I could imagine the view, hear the music and taste the champagne. As I finished the book, I knew that I had to return to the Eiffel Tower as I understood so much more regarding the history behind it. I intend to read more now...

I have been meaning to read this book for a few years now. I visited Paris several years ago and inside the famous Shakespeare and Co. bookshop and very kind lady enthusiastically recommended that I should read as I would undoubtedly love it, and she was right! Jill Jonnes does a wonderful job illustrating the the planning and building of the tower and all of the events surrounding the world's far that year. She does and excellent job of making the history of the subject lively and entertaining; there are so many other wonderful stories that coincide with all of the drama with the tower that this book is stuffed with really fascinating information. The author seamlessly transistions from tower building, to political theater to anecdotes about Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley to the pomp and circumstances surrounding Edison. I would highly recommend this book who enjoys history and/or the Eiffel tower, it is simply a fun read!

Exactly as described

If you want to learn about the finest known details of the 1889 Worlds Fair in Paris, this is the book for you. Not only is Mr. Eiffel and his tower well covered, but the lives and conversations of every luminary that attended the fair is presented. Could be MORE than you wanted to learn.

I loved this book because I learned so many interesting things in it. Although it is ostensibly about the building of the Eiffel Tower, which is why I bought it, I cannot imagine reading so much about Buffalo Bill or Annie Oakley under any other circumstances. The reason I gave the book four stars instead of five is because the author tries to cover so much ground that there are long swaths of narrative that have nothing to do with the Eiffel Tower. In fact, I'm sure that is why the title is so unwieldly-- nobody could quite figure out what would best describe the contents. I'm not sure how the book would have turned out if she had written just about the Eiffel Tower. Maybe not as interesting. The esthetics of the Eiffel Tower and Buffalo Bill/Annie Oakley are so wildly divergent that one experiences a feeling of whiplash. But it's a good read if you're interested in the artists, writers, politics and manners of the day. Having said all that, I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read a good, true yarn about things that happened not all that long ago. My father was born just six years after the tower was completed.

Very interesting book about the Eiffel Tower and the 1889 Worlds Fair in Paris taking place at the same time.

Brilliant read especially when your work involves the Eiffel Tower.

Great book

The background of the Eiffel Tower is very interesting. I think most of us assume that all of Paris wanted it built but the obstacles Gustav Eiffel had to overcome are amazing. This book gives a lot of information and stories from that time period, beyond just facts about the Eiffel Tower. I had heard of Buffalo Bill and the Wild West Show, Annie Oakley, Thomas Edison, etc.but learned much more about these interesting characters, and others, from this book.

awesome Christmas present, arrived with in 3 days.