This admirable book has a near impossible task: to make sense out of the jumbled history of a set of buildings that has been, variously, a fortress, palace, museum, and shopping mall. Towards the end, Gardner crunches the numbers as being something like twenty building campaigns over five centuries! Gardner is good at keeping three narratives interwoven throughout the book: 1) the architectural history of the buildings, galleries, walls, and even living spaces that comprise the Louvre 2) the circumstances around the Louvre's collecting of artworks and general connection to art currents (from sculpture and painting of the spaces themselves to its official leap to art museum, with its various kinds of collecting and curation over the years) and 3) a general social and political history of France (and its neighbors), which has determined what the building was used for, and even sometimes informed the dangers the complex faced. There are loads of fun facts and avenues for further research (I must learn more about the subterranean parking structure). This a model of the biography-of-a-building genre.

Some nine million people from all over the world flock to the Louvre each year to enjoy its incomparable art collection. Yet few of them are aware of the remarkable history of that place and of the buildings themselves—a fascinating story that historian James Gardner elegantly chronicles in the first full-length history of the Louvre in English.
I got to go to the Louvre a few years ago, and aside from being the home to the Mona Lisa, I couldn’t tell you anymore than that. This book gave a great history on the significance of this beautiful museum. It was detailed and well written. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This has been the most rewarding book I've read this year! I took my time with it. There is so much history to absorb both of France and Europe, and how it played out in relation to the pretty incredible history of the Louvre itself. I was overwhelmed with the vast historical context that author James Gardner so lovingly compiled in this valuable work.

Gardner has carefully researched and recorded the fascinating history with epic results. I learned so much more than I could have hoped to, going into this fascinating reading experience.

This is a book to be treasured. I relished in the details of both the history of the Louvre and many of the famous works that came to find their home there. The knowledge I've gained, will certainly make my next visit to Paris and an extended visit to the Louvre much more rewarding.

Fans of European and Art history, novice and seasoned alike, will be well rewarded, venturing in to this great book.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I have heard the name The Louvre many many times over the years and about all the amazing collections housed there. I am a history buff and the The Louvre is on my bucket list. But what I did not know was the history of not only the museum but the land that it sets on. This book is filled with with so much information starting with the people who lived on the land over 7000 years ago. it tells you about many of the collections and artifacts at the museum, a bit about even the people who come to the museum and what to expect there. Now more than ever I would love to go visit this amazing place, thanks to this well written and deeply researched book.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com and chose to leave this review.

The Louvre: The Many Lives of the World's Most Famous Museum is a new retrospective for one of the world's most visited museums. Released 15th May 2020 by Grove Atlantic, it's 416 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a really well written historical retrospective of the Louvre (including the site from ancient times) down to the modern era. The chapters are arranged chronologically starting with the very early settlement of "le louvre" through its medieval incarnation as a fortress, then palace, then more modern incarnation after the reign of terror as a museum and cultural pulse-point. The text is fascinating and historically rich and the author imbues the narrative with enough relevance that I never found it boring or dry at all.

In addition to the meticulous research and writing, the book is comprehensively annotated with reference notes and bibliography for further reading. Many of the notes have links to web resources for more information. This would make a superlative selection for relevant classroom study in history or allied subjects including culture and art history.

Worth noting: This is not about the actual collections or art in the Louvre, the book is not abundantly illustrated. It is rather about the actual site of the physical buildings and how they have developed over the centuries.

Four stars. Well worth a read for lovers of history, culture, or the arts. Since it's not possible to visit the actual collections (except online), this was a nice stand-in.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I absolutely love the Louvre — the museum that is. So I couldn’t wait to read the book. I was hoping for a little easier read, after all we're in a pandemic lockdown. But this is a real history book. I struggled a bit to start it but I am glad I stuck with it. I learned a lot about Paris history and of course the Louvre. Now with my new-found knowledge I am eagerly awaiting my next trip to France. Thank you for the education Mr Gardner! This ARC was provided by the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Okay, I’ll admit it. Before reading this book I knew basically nothing about the Louvre except 1) it’s an art museum in Paris, 2) it has a giant glass pyramid, 3) that’s where the Mona Lisa lives, 4) it had something to do with the plot of The Da Vinci Code. That was it. After reading this book, I know a lot about the Louvre.

This book is extremely informative and is jam-packed with historical and architectural facts. There are lots of books about the artwork housed inside the Louvre, but this narrative focuses on the ever-evolving art and architecture of the building and grounds themselves. I found it very interesting how different French rulers changed the Louvre according to their own tastes and priorities over the years. The book also includes several historical photos and illustrations of the various iterations of the Louvre as well as several art pieces associated with it.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A fascinating and well researched book that I found informative and engrossing.
The author is a good storyteller and it was a greatly appreciated read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I received this book from Net Gallery. This is a book about the "Louvre",the famous museum where famous paintings,sculptures and so much more history. Story about this famous building, from the beginning of its birth and the description of what the inside and the outside looks like. Very interesting story of the long history of different people who have made this place so famous today. Reading this,it's a shame I will never be able to see,but can use my imagination. If you are interested in the "Louvre",this is the fantastic book to read for her long history and the very many people who have walked her halls and still do.

Rich in history and detail, THE LOUVRE is the ideal refuge for these days: an opportunity to revisit centuries of art and walk the corridors of the world's most famous and beloved museum.

THE LOUVRE is a wonderful book. It explains the origins of the famous, huge structure that is, in parts, at least 500 years old. It is the story of the building of Paris, too, as the city grew simultaneously with the palace, fortress and museum that is the Louvre.
After explaining the roles of the various rulers including Napolean, all of whom contributed something to the Louvre, the author explains the purposes of the different areas as they changed over time and of course, describes the thousands of art pieces and artifacts that it currently houses.
It helps to have visited it yourself, though, because otherwise it is difficult to imagine the layout and its situation in the center of Paris. If ever there was a book that richly deserved photographs this one is it! I hope the powers that be will produce a version with photography. Otherwise it's a great book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book do an honest review

I requested this book as it was in the Art & Photography category, but it’s more of a history and art book than photography - which is what I had been hoping for.

If you are a big history, architecture, art enthusiast, there’s a lot of great detailed information for you in this book. For me, it was way too much detail and sadly not enough photographs.

This is clearly a great book for the right audience - I just don’t happen to be it,

3 stars ⭐️

I picked up The Louvre because I was excited to take a deep, inclusive look at one of the world's most famous museums. I appreciated Gardner's extreme attention to detail and the clear passion behind the research. Unfortunately, I found that the book read too much like a text book and that it felt more like something that I would reference if I was writing a term paper than a pleasure read, which is what I was hoping for. Perhaps if I was an art history scholar or had been to and adored the Louvre this would have been the book for me, but as a casual reader simply trying to learn about something new, it was not at the level of engagement that I needed.

AUTHOR

James Gardner is a prolific art critic. He is widely published with articles that have appeared in such diverse publications as: The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the New Republic, and the Spectator Magazine. He is presently an editor at The Magazine Antiques and has a half a dozen other manuscripts in publication.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

The Louvre: The Many Lives of the World’s Most Famous Museum is a serious book for those who adore the history, the spectacle, and the beauty of France’s most notable museum. If you enjoy history, art, sculpture pomp and circumstance of the land dating back some 7,000 years, then this could be a read you would enjoy.

SYNOPSIS

The history of The Louvre is only overshadowed by the history of Paris itself. Gardener ferries us skillfully through the sometimes-complex chronology of The Louvre from the past to the present. Gardner guides us across the chasm of time beginning with the earliest inhabitants of the land to the stunning awe-inspiring beauty of today’s architectural masterpiece. The cast of historic characters remains every bit as interesting and notable as the iconic landmark itself. Some of the distinguished individuals within the pages are: King Philippe Auguste, Charles V, Louis XVI, and Napoleon to name but a few.

Across centuries from 7,000 years ago through the construction of a fortress in 1191, Gardner imbues us with a very intimate knowledge of the legend that is The Louvre. He takes us through the Reign of Terror, the Napoleonic period, the Commune, and on to recent history.

Gardner’s work is a masterpiece resplendent with facts, details and an appreciation of the museum. The author ends with the knowledge that The Louvre is now more popular than ever and its visitor levels are a very healthy 8 million most years.

CONCLUSION

Contained within the pages of this volume are some black and white photographs, plates and illustrations. Furthermore, there is a list of endnotes and a Bibliography. I had anticipated a directory of detailed references, but I was disappointed.

Sadly, at the time of writing this review the Museum has been closed for several days as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak that is spreading across the globe. No doubt this will reduce the number of visitors annually, unless circumstances change.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank James Gardner, NetGalley, and Atlantic Monthly Press for affording me the opportunity to review The Louvre: The many Lives of the World’s Most Famous Museum.

This is an amazingly detailed book relating the history behind the place known as the Louvre, and the evolution of its buildings and land. There is also discussion of the different rulers during each period and what changes they made, if any on the property. Very well written, but at times so scholarly that it could be difficult to maintain my level of alertness. If there is anything you ever need to know about the building of, and/or changes made to the Louvre, the is the book for you.

While I enjoyed the book, it’s top notch, I think I was hoping for more of a virtual visit type book, which I’m sure are out there if I make the effort to look. You see, I went on a trip to London, Belgium, and Paris when I was about 12 years old with a group of other students, and while in Paris. I foolishly opted out of a chance to go to the Louvre, not understanding the significance of it.

Of course later on, I realized what I had passed up. Granted, a short visit would not have done it justice at all, but would have been better than nothing. I really had hoped to one day be able to return now that I’m aware of more of the history behind the treasures I would be looking at. I was just getting into that type of history when I went. So I’m enjoying this book a lot, but I also hope to find the other kind, until I hopefully get a chance to return and explore it for myself. Advanced electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author James Gardner, and the publisher.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and the author, James Gardner, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Louvre in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
What a beautifully written and highly detailed book. I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It was well written and very informative.
Well worth a read

This book is beautiful. A lot of history, details, golden ages, hard times, it is the perfect way to learn about the Louvre. I recommend this book to lovers of art and history.

A well written and very informative history of the famous French museum. I never realized how fascinating the Lounge really was and very much enjoyed this book

This was an exceptional travelogue of the famous Louvre in Paris; the history (including how it was built) and how it changed, grew, declined, etc. throughout time until it finally became the best museum ever. I am hoping to visit there myself one day but this was such a moving history and why this gem must be taken care of so future generations can enjoy it.

Obviously, I highly recommend this if you want to learn about Paris and any of its well-known landmarks or just if you want a good architectural read. I will by this to own when it becomes available!

A sincere thank you to James Gardner, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As other reviewers have stated, this book was a bit too dry for me and I was not able to finish it. I thought it would read a bit more like fiction, but it did not.