Overview
Blending investigative journalism, travelogue, history and memoir, Elaine Sciolino walks her readers through the museum’s front gates and immerses them in its irresistible, engrossing world of beauty and culture. Adventures in the Louvre reveals the secrets of this grand monument of Paris and basks in its timeless, seductive power.
Reviews
""[Elaine Sciolino helps] us find new ways to enjoy the massive Louvre.… She writes about its allure, romance, and even its secrets."" -- Rick Steves - Travel with Rick Steves ""A colorful history of the world’s most popular museum.… [Told with] a journalist’s knack for posing a good question.… [Elaine Sciolino is] a discerning guide."" -- Economist ""In [Elaine Sciolino’s] relatable, passionate, and colorful telling, she describes the history of the palace-turned-museum?which is also the story of France."" -- Devorah Lauter - Artnet ""[Elaine Sciolino] shares a wealth of knowledge about the people and things that make the museum worth its sterling reputation, and also passes along her own hard-earned advice on what any visitor…can do to make their time there truly unforgettable."" -- Town and Country ""[Elaine Sciolino] cracked the Louvre’s armor—and fell in love with the museum in the process.… Shared moments of discovery connected to art happen over and over in this book."" -- Stephen Heyman - Vogue ""The book is part journalism, part memoir, part art history.… All kinds of tips for visiting the Louvre."" -- Mary Louise Kelly, NPR ""If you haven’t read [Elaine Sciolino’s] book, I encourage you to do so. It’s a wonderful, thoughtful book about an extraordinary institution that makes everything in the building?its curators and its art?come alive."" -- Glenn D. Lowry, former director of the Museum of Modern Art ""Elaine Sciolino used all her journalistic skills to uncover the secrets of the museum."" -- Christiane Amanpour, CNN ""[Elaine Sciolino] is a very seductive writer.… One of the things I love about the book is the extent to which she engages in, collaborates, learns from, teaches some of the greatest curators of the world in the Louvre.… An incredibly readable book and a very, very important one."" -- Paul LeClerc, former president of the New York Public Library ""A beautiful book."" -- Antoine Compagnon, member of the Académie Française ""Entertaining deep dive into the history?and dusty cellars?of the revered Paris institution.… [Elaine Sciolino] delivers a convincing argument that, if you look in the right places and talk to the right people, the Louvre has something for everyone, even grumpy teenagers."" -- Christian House, Times (UK) ""Elaine Sciolino’s Adventures in the Louvre [is] an indispensable, enchanting companion reminding us that the art world's most intimidating institution is also a lot of fun."" -- Lauren Collins, The New Yorker Paris correspondent ""Elaine Sciolino is Buffalo’s gift to Paris?and now too, to the Louvre…[she] taught herself how to see, and to trust what she saw. Now, with this book, she lets us see—really see—the many treasures of the Louvre."" -- Erik Brady - Buffalo News ""I don’t go to the Louvre without calling Elaine."" -- Peter Greenberg, Eye on Travel, CBS News ""A masterpiece worthy of its subject!"" -- Doron Klemer - Southern Bookseller Review ""Thrillingly recounted [with] curiosity and fervor."" -- Lee Polevoi, Highbrow magazine ""An institution and collection that has been a quiet witness to so much history and change is bound to have stories to tell. Elaine Sciolino…has captured many of these stories in her newest book.… At the Louvre, she spoke to everyone, from the guards to the lead curators, and received unprecedented access to rooms I didn’t even know existed."" -- Art Angle podcast ""[Elaine Sciolino] is a master researcher, writer, and storyteller.… When you read Sciolino’s colorful descriptions and fascinating anecdotes, you will want to return to the Louvre again and again."" -- Nancy Ing Duclos - Inspirelle ""Lest you should imagine the Louvre to be a fusty old dinosaur of a place, Sciolino gives us a determinedly 21st-century perspective, with some compelling chapters on queer art, dubious acquisitions, and women as both artists and subjects.… A delight."" -- Bookstoker ""A spiritual, relevant, and historical literary visit to the Louvre."" -- Library Journal, starred review ""Deftly weaving history and memoir, former New York Times Paris bureau chief Sciolino offers a spirited journey through France’s most storied museum, the Louvre.… An intimate visit with a generous, genial guide."" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review ""A charmingly effusive love letter sure to delight."" -- Publishers Weekly ""Unprecedented access to the Louvre…Some of the most striking insights come from Sciolino’s exploration of overlooked sectors of the museum, including Persian and Islamic art, as well as women and women artists and queer subjects."" -- Olivia McEwan - Hyperallergic ""Extremely entertaining. The author, a former New York Times journalist, has interviewed everyone from the firemen to the curators and…takes us through every corridor of the Louvre."" -- Laure Gramont - Paris Diary ""Brilliant.… This woman visited 200 times, read every sign, looked at every painting, interviewed every person. If you want to take a deep, deep dive into the museum, that is the book you need to buy."" -- Oliver Gee - Earful Tower ""Sciolino is the Louvre whisperer. With wit, charm, and a scholar’s bent, she walks us through the galleries, shining her light on beloved masterpieces as well as on treasures tucked deep into gallery corners.… And if food is your passion?it’s mine!?you’ll revel in Sciolino’s tour of the Louvre as a sumptuous feast."" -- Dorie Greenspan, New York Times best-selling author ""[Elaine Sciolino] has written a rich, rewarding introduction to the greatest collection of art in the world.… A spirited, sumptuous book that makes the Louvre feel welcoming?even if you arrive on a Tuesday, when it’s closed."" -- Stacy Schiff, author of The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams and Cleopatra: A Life ""[Elaine Sciolino] writes with the curiosity of a journalist, the humanity of a storyteller, and the joyful disrespect of an American.… With [this enchanting] book, we will find our way in a grand museum whose meanderings reflect the strange and glorious history of France."" -- Gérard Araud, former French ambassador to the United States and president of the Société des Amis du Louvre ""I have read many books about museums, but Elaine Sciolino's stands out. This is essential reading for anyone visiting the Louvre?for those who already know it inside out and for those who have never been.… A marvel of observation and insight."" -- Xavier Salomon, director of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum ""People are always asking the best way to ""do"" the Louvre, and I've finally found it: with Elaine Sciolino's Adventures in the Louvre by your side. An indispensable, enchanting companion reminding us that the art world's most intimidating institution is also a lot of fun."" -- Lauren Collins, author of When In French
An institution and collection that has been a quiet witness to so much history and change is bound to have stories to tell. Elaine Sciolino...has captured many of these stories in her newest book...At the Louvre, she spoke to everyone, from the guards to the lead curators, and received unprecedented access to rooms I didn't even know existed.--The Art Angle Podcast Delightful.--Scott Simon, NPR Elaine brings her journalist's perspective for making sense of [the Louvre] in her latest book...helping us find new ways to enjoy the massive Louvre...She writes about its allure, romance, and even its secrets.--Rick Steves ""Travel with Rick Steves"" Elaine Sciolino writes with the curiosity of a journalist, the humanity of a storyteller, and the joyful disrespect of an American. She is amused and ironic, but always impartial as she describes the glories, oddities and flaws of the Louvre. Alongside the masterpieces, she discovers the curators, guards, technicians, and firefighters who maintain them. With this enchanting book, we will find our way in a grand museum whose meanderings reflect the strange and glorious history of France.--Gérard Araud, former French ambassador to the United States and president of the Société des Amis du Louvre I have read many books about museums, but Elaine Sciolino's stands out. This is essential reading for anyone visiting the Louvre--for those who already know it inside out and for those who have never been. You will get to know one of the most important museums in the world in ways that are illuminating, thought-provoking, surprising, amusing. A marvel of observation and insight.--Xavier Salomon, chief curator of the Frick Collection and author of Cocktails with a Curator Sciolino is the Louvre whisperer. With wit, charm and a scholar's bent, she walks us through the galleries, shining her light on beloved masterpieces as well as on treasures tucked deep into gallery corners, the ones that are easy to miss but that can be revelations even to those who know the museum well. Habitués will make discoveries in these pages and first-timers will count themselves lucky to have this book as a companion. And if food is your passion--it's mine!--you'll revel in Sciolino's tour of the Louvre as a sumptuous feast.--Dorie Greenspan, New York Times bestselling author Visiting the Louvre is something everyone should do. But to do it well is another matter. Here, [Sciolino] shares a wealth of knowledge about the people and things that make the museum worth its sterling reputation, and also passes along her own hard-earned advice on what any visitor--whether it's the first time or their 50th--can do to make their time there truly unforgettable.-- ""Town and Country"" Deftly weaving history and memoir, former New York Times Paris bureau chief Sciolino offers a spirited journey through France's most storied museum, the Louvre...An intimate visit with a generous, genial guide.-- ""Kirkus (starred review)"" In its manifold splendors, the Louvre gave Henry James something of a panic attack. He did not have Elaine Sciolino, but we do: She has written a rich, rewarding introduction to the greatest collection of art in the world, from its trio of celebrated grandes dames to its hidden treasures, from its rooftop and tunnels to its dedicated fire brigade and three rooms of empty frames. A spirited, sumptuous book that makes the Louvre feel welcoming--even if you arrive on a Tuesday, when it's closed.--Stacy Schiff, author of The Revolutionary People are always asking the best way to ""do"" the Louvre, and I've finally found it: with Elaine Sciolino's Adventures in the Louvre by your side. An indispensable, enchanting companion reminding us that the art world's most intimidating institution is also a lot of fun.--Lauren Collins, author of When In French Sciolino (The Only Street in Paris) takes readers on an affectionate and expressive tour...A charmingly effusive love letter sure to delight art history buffs.-- ""Publishers Weekly""
""Delightful."" -- Scott Simon, NPR ""Elaine brings her journalist’s perspective for making sense of [the Louvre] in her latest book...helping us find new ways to enjoy the massive Louvre...She writes about its allure, romance, and even its secrets."" -- Rick Steves - Travel with Rick Steves ""Visiting the Louvre is something everyone should do. But to do it well is another matter. Here, [Sciolino] shares a wealth of knowledge about the people and things that make the museum worth its sterling reputation, and also passes along her own hard-earned advice on what any visitor—whether it’s the first time or their 50th—can do to make their time there truly unforgettable."" -- Town and Country ""An institution and collection that has been a quiet witness to so much history and change is bound to have stories to tell. Elaine Sciolino...has captured many of these stories in her newest book...At the Louvre, she spoke to everyone, from the guards to the lead curators, and received unprecedented access to rooms I didn’t even know existed."" -- The Art Angle Podcast ""Deftly weaving history and memoir, former New York Times Paris bureau chief Sciolino offers a spirited journey through France’s most storied museum, the Louvre...An intimate visit with a generous, genial guide."" -- Kirkus Reviews (starred) ""Sciolino (The Only Street in Paris) takes readers on an affectionate and expressive tour...A charmingly effusive love letter sure to delight art history buffs."" -- Publishers Weekly ""Sciolino is the Louvre whisperer. With wit, charm and a scholar’s bent, she walks us through the galleries, shining her light on beloved masterpieces as well as on treasures tucked deep into gallery corners, the ones that are easy to miss but that can be revelations even to those who know the museum well. Habitués will make discoveries in these pages and first-timers will count themselves lucky to have this book as a companion. And if food is your passion—it’s mine!—you’ll revel in Sciolino’s tour of the Louvre as a sumptuous feast."" -- Dorie Greenspan, The New York Times bestselling author ""In its manifold splendors, the Louvre gave Henry James something of a panic attack. He did not have Elaine Sciolino, but we do: She has written a rich, rewarding introduction to the greatest collection of art in the world, from its trio of celebrated grandes dames to its hidden treasures, from its rooftop and tunnels to its dedicated fire brigade and three rooms of empty frames. A spirited, sumptuous book that makes the Louvre feel welcoming—even if you arrive on a Tuesday, when it’s closed."" -- Stacy Schiff, author of The Revolutionary ""Elaine Sciolino writes with the curiosity of a journalist, the humanity of a storyteller, and the joyful disrespect of an American. She is amused and ironic, but always impartial as she describes the glories, oddities and flaws of the Louvre. Alongside the masterpieces, she discovers the curators, guards, technicians, and firefighters who maintain them. With this enchanting book, we will find our way in a grand museum whose meanderings reflect the strange and glorious history of France."" -- Gérard Araud, former French ambassador to the United States and president of the Société des Amis du Louvre ""I have read many books about museums, but Elaine Sciolino's stands out. This is essential reading for anyone visiting the Louvre—for those who already know it inside out and for those who have never been. You will get to know one of the most important museums in the world in ways that are illuminating, thought-provoking, surprising, amusing. A marvel of observation and insight."" -- Xavier Salomon, chief curator of the Frick Collection and author of Cocktails with a Curator ""People are always asking the best way to ""do"" the Louvre, and I've finally found it: with Elaine Sciolino's Adventures in the Louvre by your side. An indispensable, enchanting companion reminding us that the art world's most intimidating institution is also a lot of fun."" -- Lauren Collins, author of When In French
Author Information
Elaine Sciolino, former Paris bureau chief for the New York Times, is the author of six books, including the bestsellers The Only Street in Paris and The Seine. She lives in Paris.
