Book Review: Eiffel Tower by Charles Rickard

Recently, the anniversary of the opening of the Eiffel Tower, way back in 1889, took place. That got me in the mood to review this book, which I got during one of my trips to France back in the 1980's, before the iconic monument had even reached 100 years old. So I went ahead and picked up this old book of mine, and gave it another reading. It seemed worth sharing my thoughts on this book here. So here goes:

Looking back, it has been so many years, but I can still remember the very first time that I saw the Eiffel Tower in person. I was just seven years old at the time. Obviously, the Eiffel Tower is the most famous monument in Paris. Or France, for that matter. So it was the monument that I wanted to see the most.

Mu aunt was very generous of her time. It was because of her that my brother and I were able to visit France several times during the 1980's. And she took us on some trips, particularly to Paris, where we visited some of the most famous places. I remember visiting many of those places, including the Louvre, Notre Dam Cathedral, Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, and the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, with the Champs-Élysées, as well as other less iconic landmarks, like the Jardins du Luxembourg (my personal favorite gardens in Paris). 

However, nothing could compete with the Eiffel Tower, in my young imagination. Som when she took us, I could barely contain my enthusiasm. As soon as the Métro doors opened, I ran out and raced up the stairs. And there it was: the Eiffel Tower. 

Now, it was admittedly a bit different than I remember. First of all, it was a strange color. Looking back, I am not entirely certain what color I expected it to be. Just not a mustard yellow. Since then, I have come to appreciate the color quite a bit. At the time, it actually felt a little disappointing to my little kid's mind. Also, there were nets, because they were repainting it (which they evidently do every seven years). All of this kind of threw my expectations off a bit.

It took a while for my aunt and brother to catch up, by which time I had gotten my first good look at this iconic monument. Once they finally caught up with me, I was ready for us to visit it. To go way up to the top.

Everything about it fascinated me. The height. The design. The elevator ride up. The views from the elevator and especially the top. 

One strange thing which I remember after all of these years. I was allowed a surprising degree of freedom during my childhood, and exercised it. So I went off on my own. Not sure if I got the model Eiffel Tower with my aunt and brother, or on my own (my guess was with them). In any case, I was talking around on my own a bit at the top, and this old woman began saying something in a not overly kind voice. She then grabbed for my Eiffel Tower model, probably assuming that I has stolen it. Being a little kid, I was scared and may even have cried. But I won our little tug of war match and then ran, looking for the safety of my aunt and my brother. Looking back, I still wonder who that woman was, or why she thought it a good idea to try and take an Eiffel Tower model away from a little kid. Maybe she spoke in French. That would be my guess, anyway. But you cannot expect everybody at such a famous world landmark to speak the same language, can you? 

Anyway, it was strange, to be sure. But that is absolutely a true story. I still have that model Eiffel Tower, for that matter. It was a tall one, which was what appealed to me the most at the time, if memory serves correctly. So that was important. Now, it means a lot to me for sentimental reasons. It is one of the few things from that first summer trip to France of the 1980's which I still have. 

Now, let me get to this book. I also obtained this book during a visit to Paris. Quote possibly, I even got it at the Eiffel Tower itself. I had believed that it was from that first trip, although since this book came out in 1984, that could not have been the case. So it must have been the trip to France in 1985 when I obtained this book.

At the time, I had an absolute fascination with tall buildings and structures. With skyscrapers, of which the Eiffel Tower still probably ranked as my favorite. This book is for kids, and it does give a lot of fascinating background on human striving for building tall things. 

Certainly, this book helped me gain knowledge about specifics about the Eiffel Tower beyond just it's remarkable height (at least for the time that it was built). You learn a bit about Gustave Eiffel, who actually did not particularly stand out as some prodigy or genius early on. Yet, he build some things in the 1800's - without the benefit of our modern technology and machinery - which have withstood the test of time and managed to last to the present day.

Obviously, the Eiffel Tower itself is far and away the most famous of those, although this book notes that he also helped to strengthen the interior of the Statue of Liberty. Also, I learned how the Eiffel Tower was built in two years, two months, and two days, and on time for the beginning of the World Exposition for which it was built, and in which it was undeniably the featured attraction. 

Originally, the Eiffel Tower was meant to be a temporary structure. It was to stand for only 20 years. Also, it was immensely unpopular at first. There was a petition among French artists and musicians to prevent it from being built. Once it was built, many complained that it ruined the aesthetics of the city, that it was a monstrosity. Even though it was not in the book, one writer even claimed that his favorite spot in Paris was underneath the Eiffel Tower, as that was the only place in the city where you did not have to actually see it. 

Gustave Eiffel wanted the prevent the tower from being torn down. To that end, he aimed to try and give it as many uses as possible. So it provided illumination during the World Exhibition, and eventually served as a sort of lighthouse during the early days of aviation. It also worked as a telegram and a radio, and was critical for communications during World War I. 

Leafing through these pages always gives me a strong sense of nostalgia, because it brings me back to my childhood. Back to my old fascination with the Eiffel Tower in particular, and skyscrapers and massively tall structures more generally.

Yes, this is a kid's book. Yet, I am almost certain that most adults would learn something new about the Eiffel Tower if they actually read it. And you can most likely read it in one sitting. So it always seemed like a book worth reading. If you get a chance to read it, I would highly recommend it. 

Enjoy.

Here are pictures which I took of the Eiffel Tower model that I got during my first visit to the iconic landmark. Has this now for well over forty years!