So our family is planning a trip across Western Europe (London-Paris-Geneva-Rome), and given that we are voracious readers, we'd love some suggestions on books worth reading up on for the history of these places. We'd love to delve in to Ancient Rome and Modern Paris especially. Help?

London: The Biography - Peter Ackroyd
Underground London: Travels Beneath the City Streets - Stephen Smith

Paris:
Paris: The Secret History - Andrew Hussey

Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser

A Paris Christmas by John Baxter (not so much history but some understanding of the French); also We'll Always have Paris by the same author

Sarah's Key...historical fiction regarding French round up of Jews that most of us did not know happened...moving and a great read

London by Edward Rutherfurd
Christopher Fowler's Bryant & May mysteries set in London
Cara Black's mystery series for modern Paris
David Hewson mysteries set in Rome

Can you tell my favorite genre?

For a great historical novel, try Colleen McCulloughs First Man in Rome series. There are 7 novels, starting at the time of Sulla and Gaius Marius and ending with Anthony and Cleopatra. Very entertaining reading.

Also, Rome from the Ground up, by J McGregor, non-fiction, history from an architectural perspective.

CindyP.

Caro "The Road From the Past"