The greater journey, by David McCullough

After reading the rave reviews of McCullough's other works and hearing of the subject matter of this history, I had built up great expectations for this book. Unfortunately, it did not quite live up to those expectations. Though the book as a whole did not resonate with me, there were some interesting parts.
I liked the chapters where McCullough discussed the medical students in Paris and the level of medical training to be found there. He also offered some interesting details about a city under siege, including the factors that contributed to cat meat being so much more expensive during the siege than horse or dog. (Apparently, it was "downright good eatin'".) McCullough also traced the introduction of new technologies throughout the period covered in the book: the telegraph and the improved telegraph, the introduction of Peugeot and Renault automobiles, and the great wonders of the Paris Exposition.
It wasn't entirely my cup of tea, but if you are interested in the histories and lives of notable American artists from that time period, this might be a good choice for you.
print: 576 pages
audio: 17 hours