Beautiful Crescent: A History of New Orleans

Thank you all so much! I needed this!

this is an aspect of history we don't get enough of. this is the who shot who where, and why she slept with who she did. if you have an interest in the personal history of one of our most unique cities, then get this book.

From Table of Contents: 1 - The Part the River Played 2 - Discovery & Exploration 3 - The French Period 4 - The Spanish Period 5 - On Becoming American (1803-1815) 6 - Progress in a Period of Peace (1820-1860) 7 - Customs, Carnival, and Cemeteries 8 - New Orleans, An Occupied City (1862-1876) 9 - Rebirth and Resurgence (1865-1930) 10 - Growth in a Modern City (after 1930) 11 - New Orleans Today (1982) * Bibliography * Glossary * Chronology * Noted Personalities * Governors * Mayors * Statues and Monuments

Garvey and Widmer were retired school teachers and amateur genealogists and historians, with deep roots in the city they love. This book packs lots and lots of information and some good stories into 250pp. They write in a simple, accessible style that make this readable for just about anyone. The authors are unabashed fans of New Orleans who continually gush about their city. They do not seem to hide the seedier elements of their city, but they do tend to excuse or rationalize them. For example, the 'reform' mayor of the 1880s (Shakespear) set up a system of bribe taking from illegal gambling establishment in exchange for police protection -- but he only did this, they report, because the prudish state of Louisiana unjustly kept gambling illegal. And besides, Shakespear, originally at least, used the funds to set up alms houses. Sure! Similar explanations are given for the racial injustice of the city, its hedonism, etc. I don't know enough about New Orleans history to make any informed evaluation of their historical judgments. But it seems obvious that the authors know their topic. The packaging, at least in my 2002 printed edition, is unimaginative and basic, but solid. Overall, I'd recommend this highly as a nice overview, a tour guide, and a primer for NOLA history.

I rate this a four because of its content more than the writing. If you're looking for one book to cover it's history from the geology that formed the land, to first settlers in 17th century through modern times, this is an excellent choice.