Paris Underground

Hovey offers a comprehensive history of the Paris Metro, describing the factors that necessitated a subway; the politicking that preceeded the start of construction in 1895; the geologic and archeological structures (including the Catacombs and the base of the Bastille) that were uncovered; the role of the Metro during Nazi occupation; and latter-day improvements to the system. Reading her account might be compared to the very process of tunneling she describes. The dense text and plentiful, mostly historic photographs contain valuable and intriguing nuggets; sifting through them, however, is frequently a slow and laborious process. Unfortunately, all but avid Francophiles and transportation buffs are apt to grind to a halt. Ages 8-11. (Apr.)