The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie

The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette

A quirky, hilarious and endearing mix of personal travel adventure and French history.

Susieâ€™s cycling adventure follows the route taken by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette on their abortive escape from the French Revolution and their journey back to their executions. After a hair-raising journey through Paris that nearly ends in her own execution by traffic, she finds a little-known area of northern France full of history, flowing with champagne, with calm waterways and tranquil countryside bursting with history. Idyllic territory for cyclists.

But cyclist she is not. By suggesting an electric bicycle that will get her through the uphill slogs, her husband persuades her that travelling on two wheels is by far the best way to see the little-known, virtually undocumented part of France.

From Paris and Versailles, she wobbles on to the vineyards and champagne cellars of Epernay and Reims, then through the Marne valley, the scene of unimaginable horror and devastation during World War 1. In three weeks Susie and Terry cycle 500 miles, dining sometimes in luxury and often on weird makeshift meals in their tent. Along the way there are traumas, epiphanies, occasional matrimonial disagreements and the odd glass of champagne.

â€œThere are a handful of authors who achieve that elusive trick of making you laugh out loud. For me itâ€™s James Herriot, Bill Bryson and Susie Kelly.â€ French EntrÃ©e Magazine

"This book manages to combine history, humor and the best of travel writing all in one." US Amazon Rev

â€œThis was a trip I enjoyed taking through Susie Kellyâ€™s eyes, both for what I learned about the area of France she traveled, and the history involved. My backside and the muscles in my legs were much happier doing it this way, too.â€ Big Alâ€™s Books & Pals

â€œA wonderful combination of travel memoir, funny anecdotes with the added bonus of weaving throughout an easily digestible history lesson.â€ UK Amazon Rev

â€œThis is a book I could read again and again.â€ US Amazon Rev

"As someone who enjoys reading about travel on foot or bicycle I can say its as good as any I've read and is a massively entertaining and satisfying read." US Amazon Rev

"When it's funny it's laugh-out-loud funny, and when it's sad it is heart-breaking." UK Amazon Rev

"This book manages to combine history, humor & the best of travel writing all in one." US Amazon Rev

"Travel humor that makes you cry as well. Quite something!" US Amazon Rev

"Susie rides again! Susie has done it again. This is a thoroughly entertaining read combining self deprecating honest comments with lesser known historical tales and anecdotes." UK Amazon Rev

Just loved it! In the first chapter I thought the pace was so entertaining and interesting that it would not be possible for the book to keep it up...but it does. Fun and full of detail. US Amazon Rev.
Country USA
Manufacturer Blackbird Digital Books
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2011-03-22
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Blackbird Digital Books
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2011-03-22
Format	Kindle eBook

The Valley of Heaven and Hell: Cycling in the Shadow of Marie Antoinette

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