Chronicles the events that occurred in Paris between 1863 and 1874, and explores how those events influenced the Impressionist movement and the artists that created it.

Chapter 1Chez Meissonier -- 1 -- Chapter 2 Modern Life -- 13 -- Chapter 3 Lure of Perfection -- 26 -- Chapter 4 Mademoiselle V. -- 36 -- Chapter 5 Dreams of Genius -- 43 -- Chapter 6 Youthful Daring -- 48 -- Chapter 7 A Baffling Maze of Canvas -- 56 -- Chapter 8 Salon of Venus -- 73 -- Chapter 9 Tempest of Fools -- 81 -- Chapter 10 Famous Victories -- 92 -- Chapter 11 Young France -- 101 -- Chapter 12 Deliberations -- 113 -- Chapter 13 Room M -- 121 -- Chapter 14 Plein Air -- 132 -- Chapter 15 A Beastly Slop -- 144 -- Chapter 16 Apostle of Ugliness -- 151 -- Chapter 17 Maitre Velazquez -- 159 -- Chapter 18 Jury of Assassins -- 167 -- Chapter 19 Monet or Manet? -- 175 -- Chapter 20 A Flash of Swords -- 184 -- Chapter 21 Marvels, Wonders and Miracles -- 192 -- Chapter 22 Funeral for a Friend -- 206 -- Chapter 23 Maneuvers -- 217 -- Chapter 24 A Salon of Newcomers -- 227 -- Chapter 25 Au Bord de la Mer -- 233 -- Chapter 26 Mademoiselle Berthe -- 241 -- Chapter 27 Flying Gallops -- 248 -- Chapter 28 Wild Boar of the Batignolles -- 257 -- Chapter 29 Vaulting Ambitions -- 265 -- Chapter 30 Prussian Terror -- 272 -- Chapter 31 Last Days of Paris -- 281 -- Chapter 32 A Carnival of Blood -- 293 -- Chapter 33 Days of Hardship -- 310 -- Chapter 34 Apples of Discord -- 318 -- Chapter 35 A Ring of Gold -- 327 -- Chapter 36 Pure Haarlem Beer -- 332 -- Chapter 37 Beyond Perfection -- 342 -- Chapter 38 Liberation of Paris -- 349 -- Epilogue: Finishing Touches -- 362 -- Political Timeline -- 375.