New Book Releases

From ancient bayous to beloved old businesses, Metairie has changed dramatically over generations.

Many of those landmarks are lost to time; the lake, railroads and a beach resort were popular features in the early days. A streetcar ran through the short-lived City of Metairie Ridge, where gambling houses and dog tracks contributed more tax dollars than did the few residents. Old Bucktown was famous for its seafood. Fat City, once notorious for its nightlife, has seen better days. Author Catherine Campanella takes a look back at the schools, shops, bars, restaurants, alligator farms, bowling alleys, drive-ins and movie theaters from a bygone era.

New Orleans seems to occupy a special geography as unique as its spicy cuisine or its spirited jazz music.

African Americans, their city, and their past. Capturing 300 years of history and focusing on African American communities' social, cultural, and political pasts, this book captures a significant portion of the diversity that is New Orleans. Author Keith Weldon Medley's research encompasses Congo Square, Old Treme, Louis Armstrong, Fannie C. Williams, Mardi Gras, and more in this groundbreaking work. He creates a comprehensive history of New Orleans and the black experience.

Beyond the façade of stately Louisiana platations are stories of hope and subjugation, tragedy and suffering, shame and perseverance and war and conquest.

After sixteen workers chopped down most of the Houmas House's ancient oak trees, referred to as "the Gentlemen," eight of the surviving trees eerily twisted overnight in grief over the losses wrought by a great Mississippi River flood. An illegal duel to reclaim lost honor left the grounds of Natchez's Cherokee Plantation bloodstained, but the victim's spirit may still wander there today. A mutilated slave girl named Chloe still haunts the halls of the Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville. Cheryl H. White and W. Ryan Smith reveal the dark history, folklore and lasting human cost of Louisiana plantation life.

Southwest Louisiana is famous for time-honored gatherings that celebrate its French Acadian heritage. The culinary star of these gatherings? The pig.

Whether it's a boucherie, the Cochon de Lait in Mansura or Chef John Folse's Fete des Bouchers, where an army of chefs step back 300 years to demonstrate how to make blood boudin and smoked sausage, ever resourceful Cajuns use virtually every part of the pig in various savory delights. Author Dixie Poche' traverses Cajun country to dive into the recipes and stories behind regional specialties such as boudin, cracklings, gumbo and hogs head cheese. From the Smoked Meats Festival in Ville Platte to Thibodaux's Bourgeois Meat Market, where miles of boudin have been produced since 1891, this is a mouth-watering dive into Cajun devotion to the pig.

New Orleans has a reputation as a home for creatures of the night. Popular books, movies and television shows have cemented the city's connection to vampires in public imagination.

Rumors swirled about the fate of the Casket Girls, a group of mysterious maidens traveling to the New World from France with peculiar casket-shaped boxes. A charismatic man who moved to the French Quarter in the early 1900s eerily resembled a European aristocrat of one hundred years prior bearing the same name. A pair of brothers terrorized the town with their desire to feed on living human blood during the Great Depression. Marita Woywod Crandle investigates the origins of these legends so intricately woven through New Orleans's rich history.

A tour of some of the most historic saloons in America.

There is no doubt that New Orleans has more drinking establishments per capita than any other city in the United States. Lavishly illustrated with more than 200 photographs, this elegant pictorial history provides a glimpse into the architectural and cultural treasures still operating today. From urban legends to classic recipes, all is revealed in this collection of fascinating true stories.

Enjoy a taste of Louisiana's freshest catches. Whether fried or baked, pan seared or grilled, fish fits any plate and is sure to please any crowd. This collection offers fish lovers an assortment of home-style recipes-which are sure to make the day's catch taste its best-with the biological facts. Also included are discussions on the Louisiana seafood industry past and present and a fascinating essay following a day in the life of a fisherman.

Essential reading on segregation now in paperback!

"Medley deftly puts in colorful context the U.S. Supreme Court's signal 1896 decision sanctioning so-called separate but equal facilities. . . . Rich in family and community history and local lore, Medley's work details the world of New Orleans' free people of color . . . this remarkable read is recommended."
-Library Journal

This collection of paintings examines the different areas of New Orleans in unique and intimate ways and, by doing so, captures the distinctive spirit of the city through extraordinary brushwork and vivid color. With 130 paintings and accompanying text demonstrating the growth and vivaciousness of the Crescent City, this devotional illuminates the beauty of one of the world's liveliest cities.

This second cookbook from Leah Chase not only comes with her famous recipes, but it also contains her reflections on life, business, family, and friends. Now in paperback, the collection includes menus for special events.

Tragedy and destruction abound in this region and in these pages, but heroism, glory and Cajun flair come in equal measure.

From the improbable Thoroughbred Twenty-Twoinit, which defied odds and burned Vegas oddsmakers at Evangeline Downs, to the destitute Reconstruction-era Cajuns who sought recompense from the federal government after the war, history comes to life in these retellings by historian and yarn spinner William Thibodeaux. Before "serial killer'? was a term, a vile murderer stalked the streets of then-tiny Lafayette, inciting unimaginable terror. All too familiar are harrowing tales of locals who battened down the hatches as horrible storms roared forth. From the hills to the bayous, Acadiana has quite a story to tell, especially for those who lean in close to listen.

Celebrating the universal language-food!

Based on the 2010 and 2011 presentations of Meanwhile, Back at Café Du Monde . . ., these 67 foodie monologues invoke your own special comfort-foods, recalling tasty memories of life, love, family, and friends to warm your heart, feed your soul, and make you pause to savor the sweetness of life!

Elegance from the banks of the Mississippi River. Captured here in print are the portraits of lofty estates and humble cottages along the banks of the mighty river. This picturesque landscape found nowhere else in the country is a delight. Both interiors and exteriors of many of the homes have been restored to their original glory and surrounded with beautiful gardens. A brief history of each building augments the majestic images.

Images of America: Barksdale Air Force Base covers the history of the base from 1924 to the present with over 200 moving black-and-white photographs, many that have never been published before. This vivid history of United States military aviation includes everything from World War II to the Korean War, from the skies over Vietnam to alerts in the Cold War, from the sands of the Persian Gulf to the mountains of Kosovo, and on into the present-day War on Terrorism.

With its evocative text, authentic Cajun recipes, uniquely designed slipcase with two foldouts and enclosed music cd - The Lucky Playboys recording debut, Zydeco Shoes celebrates the joie de vivre of South Louisiana and its people.

This collection of vivid, humorous paintings by self-taught artist Earl Hébert takes the reader into the real heart of Cajun culture--the back-road music halls, the small-town family gatherings, and the all-important, spicy, local cuisine.

A chronicle of the rise and development of a unique musical form.

Inducted into the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame under its original title Walking to New Orleans, this fascinating history focuses on the music of major R&B artists and the crucial contributions of the New Orleans music industry. Newly revised for this edition, much of the material comes firsthand from those who helped create the genre, including Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and Wardell Quezergue.

The Ebarb and Toledo Bend area of Louisiana has a fascinating and colorful history.

Founded in 1716, the French Fort St. Jean Baptiste was the first settlement in the area, followed soon after by the Spanish Fort Los Adaes. Many have called this part of Louisiana home, including invading Spanish conquistadores, French trappers, and both Spanish and French missionaries. The area is also home to many Native American tribes who further contributed to the melting pot of customs, religions, food, and folklore that is so prevalent in the area's history.

WINNER OF THE LOUISIANA LITERARY AWARD

Celebrating the traditions of Louisiana's food, chefs, and cooks!

Radio host Poppy Tooker takes readers on a culinary journey filled with the stories of some of Louisiana's most notable chefs and cooks. From the queen of Creole cuisine Leah Chase to Roman Candyman Ronnie Kottemann, Tooker includes profiles and recipes from beloved culinary icons. Photographer David G. Spielman provides an intimate portrait in black and white for each food personality introduced.

Highlighting favorites such as phó and bánh mì, Pfefferle takes readers on a culinary tour of family traditions, festivals, and urban farms. A delightful range of recipes is included-from Vietnamese classics supplied by family-run restaurants to Asian-inspired dishes created by chefs Emeril Lagasse and John Besh.

This pictorial guide focuses on a dynamic cuisine and the history of the local Vietnamese community following the fall of Saigon in 1975. Pfefferle showcases the flavors of family life, the seafood industry, and the annual Tõt festivities. A glossary defines Vietnamese words and ingredients.

A captivating visual guide to New Orleans's history!

Hailed as being one of the most comprehensive collections of photos, paintings, and drawings on its release in 1971, this educational and entertaining selection is now in paperback! From the city's French and Spanish beginnings to American forces fighting off British soldiers in the War of 1812, this is truly a fascinating compilation. These pages chronicle major historical moments along with the architecture, jazz, scandals, duels, cuisine, and fine arts that make New Orleans an amazing city to behold.

The beautiful homes and classic recipes of the Crescent-City holidays! Tour the stunning sights of the season in this beautiful volume. Decorations, including garlands, mantels, table settings, and Christmas trees, deck the pages. Luminous photographs portray public events such as Celebration in the Oaks and caroling in historic Jackson Square. Bring in the New Year with recipes from traditional reveillon feasts at the city's most famous restaurants. Private and historic homes from Uptown to English Turn open their doors to readers, while residents and designers discuss their holiday embellishments and themes. Glimpse parties, family celebrations, and more. Recipes and details abound in this stunning snapshot of a magical season.

"A must-read for anyone from beginner to practiced bartender. Marvin has made a serious study over the decades of what makes taste buds sit up and take notice."
-Joe Fee, Fee Brothers Bitters

"Great bartenders in America are appreciated. In New Orleans, they are revered, and no one is more so than the Carousel's Marvin Allen. His deft touch in creating a historically proper and balanced cocktail is a joy to behold and to taste. This volume is a reflection of his love for his craft and his city. Party on! Where are the go-cups?"
-Tim McNally, host of The Wine Show, wine and spirits editor of New Orleans Magazine

Swizzle your way from January to December with this indispensable introduction to the world of cocktails. Each month, experiment with a new spirit as you create fresh, well-balanced drinks. Included are the basics of equipment, ingredients, and techniques, as well as snippets of lore and suggestions for exploring new recipes and variations. Veteran crafters and budding enthusiasts alike will delight in these concoctions, which range from classics like the Sidecar and the Ultimate Classic Gin Martini to daring twists like Satan's Whiskers or the absinthe-based Monkey Gland. Discover tastes old and new in this clear, conversational guide to mixing your own magic.

Iconic abodes, inside and out, from across the city.

The Crescent City's rich cultural heritage is preserved in its grand houses. This collection of essays and photographs features homes from all over the city, from the French Quarter to the Garden District to River Ridge. It shares the stories of current and former residents and explains how modern designs nurture the spirit of the past. Stunning photographs provide a window into New Orleans's magnificent history.