I am returning to Paris, and would like a decent guidebook to the art at the Louvre. Last time we went I forked out on the one they have on sale there, and it was pretty awful IMO…
What I’m after is a book that covers the background to the paintings, both in terms of the actual artwork itself (its artist, when it was painted, and such) and the actual subject matter (what is being depicted ? what is the story behind it ?). I’m after something quite readable for non-arty untrained philistine, such as a myself 
There are a ton of things on Amazon, can anyone recommend a good one ?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-1668521-9976159?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=louvre
Thanks!