This book discusses various artists and intellectuals who left the United States for life in Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900. There are several specific individuals who are outlined in this book, most of whom I had never heard of before reading this book. They all were eager to take advantage of the education that was available in Paris at the time, to further their own careers. David McCullough has always been one of the historians I have enjoyed reading the most. His attention to detail and thorough storytelling are essential to me.