Name: Hidden History of Louisiana's Jazz Age
Brand: Sam Irwin
SKU: 9781467153423
Price: 23.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Hidden History of Louisiana's Jazz Age

9781467153423

$23.99

Step backstage in this look at little-known and utterly fascinating aspects of Jazz Age Louisiana.

New Orleans’ early jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Kid Ory and Buddy Bolden had fascinating careers, but Hidden History of Louisiana’s Jazz Age is filled with tales of murder, lust and adventure. Clarinetist Joe Darensbourg of Baton Rouge ran away and joined the circus three times before the age of 20. The Martel Band of Opelousas witnessed a legal public hanging of a convicted serial murderer in 1923 Evangeline Parish. Trumpeter Evan Thomas of Crowley could have been a rival to Satchmo but was cut down on the bandstand in the Promised Land neighborhood of Rayne, La. Author Sam Irwin explores the odd and quirky in these fascinating stories of the Roaring Twenties.

Cajun Mardi Gras

9781467150385

$23.99

Dive into Cajun Mardis Gras, where the party goes down with a wholly different flourish Everyone knows about Louisiana Mardi Gras and its glitz, glam, parades and masquerades. But in Cajun County, the festival turns communities into stage shows of wild revelry. Called Courir de Mardi Gras in the rural parishes, you'll find masked runners and horsemen bedecked in colorful, tattered clothing, cavorting through the countryside on a begging quest for gumbo ingredients. It's an outrageous celebration--derived from the French medieval Festival of Begging--on the eve of Lenten season's fasting. In exchange for neighborly generosity, the revelers sing, dance, act a fool, chase chickens and unite the community with an abundance of mirth that reverberates year-round. Join author Dixie Poche and take part in the wild spectacle and otherworldly whimsy of Courir de Mardis Gras.

Postmarked New Orleans

9781455624966

$24.95

Vintage postcards (1940s and earlier) appear above modern-day photographs of the same spot, with brief text providing historical information about each location. Street scenes, restaurants, parks, and cemeteries are all covered. Samples include the Peristyle in City Park, St. Roch's cemetery and shrine, Mme. Begué's restaurant, the Saenger Theatre, the St. Charles Hotel, and Chartres Street in the French Quarter.

Skinny Louisiana…in the Slow Cooker with Bonus Instant Pot Chapter

9781455624768

$26.95

The trusty slow cooker and newcomer Instant Pot stand by to help the home cook produce delicious yet healthy Louisiana dishes in a very convenient way. This registered dietitian, TV personality, and cooking instructor shares here her foolproof recipes for shrimp chowder, muffuletta dip, roast beef po' boys, Cajun queso, and more. Nutritional information is provided for each dish.

Skinny Louisiana…in the Slow Cooker with Bonus Instant Pot Chapter

Coast Guard Miracles of New Orleans

9781455626960

$23.95

With disaster preparedness of paramount importance, it's time to take a deeper look at what went very right before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. Unlike the woefully unprepared civilian population, the Coast Guard was staged and ready. The unprecedented surface rescue put into action by the brave men and women under CAPT Robert Mueller's command took place with little fanfare, yet their actions saved the lives of more than thirty thousand people.

New Orleans Radio

9781467112420

$24.99

From humble beginnings in a physics lab on the campus of Loyola University came the sounds of the first radio station in the lower Mississippi River Valley when WWL Radio signed on in 1922. The little station would grow into a national powerhouse, with its morning Dawnbusters show and nightly broadcasts from the Blue Room of the Roosevelt Hotel. The city's second oldest station, WSMB, with studios in the Maison Blanche Building, developed its own cast of favorites, including "Nut and Jeff." Later, in the city known as the birthplace of jazz, radio played a key role in popularizing early rock and roll. Disc jockeys at leading stations WTIX and WNOE helped develop the Crescent City sound, along with local personalities with colorful names like "Poppa Stoppa," "Jack the Cat," and "Dr. Daddy-O."

Classic Eateries of Cajun Country

9781626198081

$21.99

Cajun Country establishments offer a delectable variety of table fare for tourists and residents alike. The region's first restaurants, cafés and bakeries emerged in the 1880s. Stores like T-Jim's and Teet's Food supplied locals with boudin. Café Vermilionville served patrons crawfish beignets. And faithful Bellina's Grocery shoppers looked forward to placing ham orders for red beans and rice on Mondays. Join author Dixie Poché as she shares the stories and recipes behind French Louisiana's pioneering eateries and those still making culinary history today.

Maison Blanche Department Stores

9780738588179

$24.99

On October 30, 1897, S.J. Shwartz, Gus Schullhoefer, and Hartwig D. Newman--with financial backing from banker Isidore Newman--opened the Maison Blanche at the corner of Canal Street and Rue Dauphine in New Orleans. Converting Shwartz's dry goods store into the city's first department store, the trio created a retail brand whose name lasted over a century. In 1908, Shwartz tore his store down and built what was the city's largest building--13 stories, with his Maison Blanche occupying the first five floors. The MB Building became, and still is, a New Orleans icon, and Maison Blanche was a retail leader in the city, attracting some of the best and brightest people in the business. One of those employees, display manager Emile Alline, created the store's second icon, the Christmas character "Mr. Bingle," in 1947. Mr. Bingle continues to spark the imagination of New Orleans children of all ages. Even though Maison Blanche has become part of New Orleans's past, the landmark Canal Street store lives on as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The P&J Oyster Cookbook

9781589806498

$35.00

The bivalve lover's guide to Louisiana's best oysters. From the brackish bayous of Louisiana to the tables of some of the most beloved restaurants around the country, P&J oysters are among the best in the industry. Featuring recipes for oysters on the half shell, oyster appetizers, baked oysters, and grilled oysters, this lavish cookbook includes a history of the legendary P&J Oyster Company, tantalizing photographs of prepared oyster dishes, and shots of oysters in their native beds during the harvesting process.

New Orleans Voodoo

9781467137997

$23.99

The Voodoo tradition continues in the Crescent City even today. Rory Schmitt and Rosary O'Neill study the altars, art, history and ceremonies that anchor Voodoo in New Orleans culture.

There is no more compelling nor more spiritual city than New Orleans. The city's Roman Catholic roots and its blended French, Spanish, Creole and American Indian populations heavily influenced the rites and rituals that West Africans brought to Louisiana as enslaved laborers. The resulting unique Voodoo tradition is now deeply rooted in the area. Enslaved practitioners in the nineteenth century held Voodoo dances in designated public areas like Congo Square but conducted their secret rituals away from the prying eyes of the city. By 1874, some twelve thousand New Orleanians attended Voodoo queen Marie Laveau's St. John's Eve rites on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. The Voodoo tradition continues in the Crescent City even today.

The Louisiana Seafood Bible

9781589806436

$26.95

Seventy-seven home-style shrimp recipes are interspersed with historical, biological, and food preparation advice. From an inside look at the seafood industry in Louisiana, past and present, to techniques on how to identify fresh shrimp at the local market, this complete resource includes all the information shrimp lovers need. Taking readers from the shrimp boat to the table, the authors share the art of catching, buying, peeling, storing, freezing, and thawing shrimp so that they can be turned into a delicious dish.

The Jews of New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta

9781609496814

$21.99

Authors Emily Ford and Barry Stiefel delve into the Jewish communities settled in New Orleans and along the Mississippi Delta.

The early days of Louisiana settlement brought with them a clandestine group of Jewish pioneers. Isaac Monsanto and other traders spited the rarely enforced Code Noir banning their occupancy, but it wasn't until the Louisiana Purchase that larger numbers colonized the area. Immigrants like the Sartorius brothers and Samuel Zemurray made their way from Central and Eastern Europe to settle the bayou country along the Mississippi. They made their homes in and around New Orleans and the Mississippi River delta, establishing congregations like that of Tememe Derech and B'Nai Israel, with the mighty river serving as a mode of transportation and communication, connecting the communities on both sides of the riverbank.

The Jews of New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta

The IsleÃ±os of Louisiana

9781609490249

$21.99

Louisiana is perhaps best known for its distinctive French heritage, a legacy visible in the street names and architecture around the state.

The truth is, Louisiana has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the nation, with not only French and Anglo-American settlers, but the Native Americans who lived there already, and the enslaved Africans the new colonists brought with them into Louisiana Territory. A chapter of Louisiana history that tends to be forgotten however, is when the area fell to Spanish control in the late 1700s. Coaxed by promises of new opportunity, thousands of Canary Islanders of Spanish descent relocated to Louisiana, where they established four settlements. Generations of Isleños, that is the ethnic group of descendants from the Canary Islands who have intermarried with other communities, have overcome the challenges of an evolving American society, as well as the devastation of storms that have ripped through their land. Through it all, the Isleños have preserved their unique heritage, traditions and culture for more than two centuries.

Landmarks and Monuments of Baton Rouge

9781609496401

$21.99

The capital of Louisiana is filled with an array of significant historical monuments and markers, each with a unique story to tell. Some, like the old and new capitols and the Louisiana State University Memorial Tower, are well-known, iconic pieces of Baton Rouge. Others, like De Bore's Sugar Kettle and the nation's only remaining Pentagon Barracks outside Washington, D.C., are lesser known yet no less important to the narrative of Baton Rouge. Discover historic treasures like the USS Louisiana figurehead and the Merci Train and learn the stories behind the Liberty Bell and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk Joy." Join Dr. Hilda Krousel on this journey through the history of "Red Stick," as told by its most storied landmarks."

Natchitoches

9780738514994

$24.99

Nestled between stately live oaks, magnolia trees, and Cane River is the beautiful old town of Natchitoches. The oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase and the third-oldest town in the United States, Natchitoches was founded in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, who was sent by the French governor to establish a colony in Louisiana. In Images of America: Natchitoches see the town as the backdrop for such movies as Steel Magnolias and view rare vintage photographs of plantation homes, the laying of bricks on Front Street, and the development of Northwestern State University.

Madison Parish

9780738515106

$24.99

Founded in 1838 and located in extreme northeastern Louisiana, Madison Parish has a rich and colorful history. It is the setting of Kate Stone's best-selling Civil War diary, Brokenburn, and played an important role during that era-Generals Grant, Sherman, and McClernan assembled their troops in Madison Parish months before their assault on Vicksburg. Sarah Breedlove, better known as Madam C.J. Walker, was born in Madison Parish and ultimately rose from a lowly washerwoman to the first black female millionaire in the United States. Images of America: Madison Parish, containing over 200 black-and-white images, highlights the history of this fascinating community through photographs, drawings, and maps. Included are Civil War scenes, the 1907 bear hunt by President Theodore Roosevelt, and numerous professional photographs of the disastrous 1927 flood that paralyzed the parish and surrounding areas for several months.

The Jewish Community of Shreveport

9780738514888

$24.99

The Jewish presence in northwest Louisiana actually predates the establishment of Shreveport in 1836. From the very beginning, Jews have been part of the city's civic, social, and mercantile life. Pioneer settlers began holding services in private homes in the 1840s, and by 1858 the community was sufficiently large enough to consecrate a Jewish cemetery and the first Jewish benevolent association, a forerunner of today's North Louisiana Jewish Federation. In 1859, the first congregation was founded.

In The Jewish Community of Shreveport the rich history of this influential and vibrant citizenry is chronicled by well-known Louisiana historian Eric J. Brock, archivist of Shreveport's B'nai Zion Temple. Nearly 18 decades of Jewish life in Shreveport are depicted in over 200 vintage images, many of which are previously unpublished. Both of the city's synagogues, B'nai Zion and Agudath Achim, are represented, as are many of the rabbis, business leaders, political leaders (including three mayors), and laypeople from the community's long history.

Cover image for The Jewish Community of Shreveport, isbn: 9780738514888

Gumbo Shop

9781455627219

$19.95

For decades, patrons of the quaint Creole restaurant on Saint Peter Street have enjoyed the standards of New Orleans cuisine in one of its most natural settings. Around the corner from Saint Louis Cathedral, half a block from Jackson Square and within sight of the Mississippi River, the mural-walled dining room and tropical garden patio provide the backdrop for the gumbo, etouffée and jambalaya that flow from the kitchen. The word "gumbo" evokes images of black iron kettles, slowly simmering with a mélange of exotic ingredients, skillfully seasoned and crafted for pleasure. It also describes the New Orleans culture. In this book of recipes, peppered with vignettes of local lore, Gumbo Shop shares its culinary traditions for your enjoyment.

Remembering Minden:

9781596297180

$21.99

Once called the "Eden of the New South," Webster Parish grew from a small settlement on the western edge of America's frontier into Louisiana's land of plenty. Flyers attracting new settlers advertised running springs, fruitful soil, "robust" citizens and "more sunshine than Italy." In this collection of his popular "Echoes of Our Past" columns from the Minden Press-Herald, resident historian John Agan captures some of the most striking stories from Minden's memory. Alongside portraits of early downtown Minden and its charming, brick-paved streets, Agan chronicles the 1933 tornado that ripped the city apart, the tragic Mardi Gras fire of 1923 and an exciting nineteenth-century duel between two prominent Minden citizens.

Evangeline Parish

9781467111782

$24.99

Evangeline Parish is located near the center of Louisiana, between the prairies and wetlands of the south and the hills and piney woods of the north. Culturally, too, it embraces both the French south and the English north. Evangeline is relatively young among the parishes of Louisiana, having been carved from the western portion of St. Landry in 1910. It is named for Evangeline, the heroine of Longfellow's epic poem about the exile of the Acadians, many of whose descendants reside in Louisiana. Today, the people of Evangeline Parish remain close to the land, earning their livelihood from agriculture and forestry or small businesses. From outdoor recreation at Chicot State Park to the Courir de Mardi Gras in Mamou and Basile, and all the festivals in between, they know how to pass a good time.

Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday

9781455626489

$17.99

Alycat wakes up to seafood gumbo for breakfast, and even though her house is the first stop for the school bus, the bus is already full when she boards. Alycat's whole day is turning topsy-turvy. What is happening?

Young readers will tag along on Alycat's adventures during her very "cattywampus" Wednesday and learn that a little help from some friends and a good attitude can make your day!

The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity towards problem solving. The character traits of Alycat and her friends inspire and encourage young readers to find their own special gifts.

People are talking . . .

The Alycat Series features: Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day, Alycat and the Monday Blues, Alycat and the Friendship Friday, Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday, Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday, Alycat and the Sleepover Saturday, and Alycat and the Sunday Scaries. The books in this series have won more than 17 awards, including the NYC Big Book Award, the Mom's Choice Awards, and the Next Generation Indie Book Awards; have been featured in Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly; and have appeared in the Oscars celebrity swag bag and the Grammy Awards gift bag. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, featured Bourque and her life-size mascot, Alycat, on her popular YouTube channel Little Red News.

Louisiana Animals ABC

9781455626731

$19.99

Artful images grace the pages of this alphabet book; a visual feast of Louisiana's wildlife accompanied by informative facts and lyrical descriptions. Author and bard Rickey E. Pittman takes us on an adventure through the wilds of the state, embracing each animal's nature and providing short snippets of information perfect for the littlest of listeners and the youngest readers. Graceful images from artist Kay Meadows enhance Pittman's prose providing a gorgeous snapshot of these creatures from alligators, crawfish, and fox to opossums, pelican, vultures, and yellow jackets. Z brings us right into a list of Louisiana's edutaining zoos. Pittman offers a bit of lagniappe wrapped in Meadows clever illustrations in lists of the Louisiana state animals, fun Cajun French words for familiar wildlife, a list of troublesome species, and a list of critters we need to protect.

Poverty Point Legends & Lore

9781467149839

$21.99

Archaeologists have been investigating the ruins of Poverty Point for decades, piecing together a fascinating picture of a 3,500-year-old hunter-gatherer way of life. But Poverty Point is more than an archaeological treasure-trove. It's also an eerie locus for southeastern native lore. Cold breezes on warm nights stir up spirit foxes and singing locusts. Otherworldly messages find their conduit in the drumming of trees and hooting of owls. Archaeologist and author Jon Gibson unearths the strange narratives that are as much a part of Poverty Point as the artifacts and earthworks themselves.

On the Loose in New Orleans

9781467197168

$17.99

Prize-winning Atlantic Online cartoonist Sage Stossel has created her next Find the Animals book with On the Loose in New Orleans. Children will have hours of fun finding the Audubon Zoo animals around the Big Easy—whether a monkey on a riverboat, a giraffe in Jackson Square, or elephants eating beignets! Over 100 animals are hiding cleverly in favorite New Orleans locations in this colorfully illustrated rhyming picture book.

Cover image for On the Loose in New Orleans, isbn: 9781467197168

Alligators Don't Like Flowers

9781455626779

$19.99

Angelo the alligator was different in every way. With eyes bright blue and skin snow white, he
loved to watch the butterflies and fireflies. One day he came upon a marsh filled with flowers
and wove some into a crown. What happens when he wears his beautiful new crown?
Artist and illustrator Shannon Kelley Atwater shares a sweet story of friendship and
community celebrating the differences that make individuals special and overcoming the
stereotypes that separate them. Her expressive illustrations capture the feelings of friendship, joy,
and--sometimes--alienation that children experience in a story that provides a valuable lesson
of acceptance. When the swamp friends unite in a procession that rejoices in the things that make
them unique, something truly magical occurs. Come along and join their parade!

F Is for French Quarter

9781455626717

$19.99

Scott Campbell and his daughter Tallulah gather together words that bring to life each letter of the alphabet in unique Louisiana style in their second picture book collaboration. From A to Z they capture the sights of the city in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, brass bands, the Cabildo, and wrought iron are all featured in this fun-filled jaunt for pre-readers. The delightful images from artist Nichole Dupre make this a picture-perfect choice for locals and visitors alike.

Michael the Wildlife Detective

9781455626755

$19.99

When critters crawl into your home, don't fret! Call Michael the wildlife detective. He uses his special investigative skills to figure out which animals have decided to make your house their own and how to safely and humanely stop them in their tracks. Author Michael Birt, a wildlife biologist, shares with readers the importance of treating wild animals and nature with respect and kindness--even when they end up in unnatural spaces and cause inconvenience for their human neighbors. He highlights the importance of finding compassionate solutions to pesky problems and explains why some animals may wander from their wild homes into our own.

Tanner the Turtle Learns to Swim

9781455626502

$14.95

Tanner the Turtle lives on the banks of the bayou surrounded by animal friends who love to play at the water's edge. Everyone knows, though, that the water can be dangerous if you don't know how to swim. And Tanner is too scared to learn! When his mother brings him to the local swimming pool for lessons, he refuses to even stick his head under the water. With the guidance of Coach Ted, though, Tanner is soon splashing with his new friends and learning valuable lessons in water safety.

ABCs of New Orleans

9781455626809

$19.99

Learn your alphabet the New Orleans way! From Audubon Aquarium to Zatarain's, this book features whimsical illustrations of NOLA favorites for all the ABCs. This children's book also serves as a collectible art book for all New Orleans fans.

Historic Neighborhoods of Baton Rouge

9781596298392

$21.99

Baton Rouge is known for its rich history, food, politics, music and universities. Perhaps overlooked are the stories of how this large port city's close-knit neighborhoods have adapted to changes over the years. Annabelle Armstrong deftly navigates the evolution of these historic communities, showcasing southern charm and romanticism through firsthand accounts of people who call these places home. Journey back to the beginnings of Hundred Oaks, Capital Heights, University Acres, Wimbledon, Tara, Inniswold, Glenwood, Walnut Hills, Stratford, Steele Place, Broussard, Southdowns and many more popular places to settle down.

Calliope Kate and the Voice of the River

9781455626526

$16.99

Kate, a tall-tale heroine born on a Mississippi River shanty boat, frustrates her ma's attempts to tame her until she astounds everyone by defeating a hurricane through the blaring cacophony of a truly American instrument--the steamboat calliope. A fact-based tale in the tradition of Paul Bunyan, Kate's adventure invites the reader into a unique aspect of American history while bringing to life a strong girl who never gives up and finds her true voice.

Calliope Kate and the Voice of the River

Civil War Baton Rouge, Port Hudson and Bayou Sara

9781609493516

$21.99

When Louisiana seceded from the Union on January 26, 1861, no one doubted that a battle to control the Mississippi River was imminent. Throughout the war, the Federals pushed their way up the river. Every port and city seemed to fall against the force of the Union navy. ¬The capital was forced to retreat from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. Many of the smaller towns, like Bayou Sara and Donaldsonville, were nearly shelled completely off the map. It was not until the Union reached Port Hudson that the Confederates had a fighting chance to keep control of the mighty Mississippi. ¬They fought long and hard, undersupplied and undermanned, but ultimately the Union prevailed. With interest in the Civil War at an all-time high, please consider a review or a feature story with Dennis J. Dufrene.

Civil War Baton Rouge, Port Hudson and Bayou Sara

Spooky Second Line

9781455625055

$9.95

Way down south in New Orleans, there's a jazzy little sound on Halloween. As a mummy is transported down the street in a silver casket, a spooky parade follows, with a witch on bass drum, a skeleton on snare, a black cat on trombone, a jack-o-lantern on clarinet, and more. An author's note explains the local tradition of second lines and jazz funerals.

Matthew's Rise

9781455625444

$9.95

Set on Caddo Lake in northwest Louisiana, this middle-reader novel finds eleven-year-old Matthew Morin and his family recovering from a tragic loss and trying to regain normalcy as they head to the family farmhouse. There Matthew will build new friendships, investigate a suspicious fire, discovering a Caddo Indian mound, and solving the mystery surrounding the area. They soon turn their attention to the enigmatic new neighbor down the road. As they investigate further, they are pitched into a race against time to save the burial site from desecration.

Strange True Stories of Louisiana

9781565540385

$8.99

Revealing historical tales of the Southern mystique.,

"From various necessities of the case I am sometimes the story-teller, and sometimes, in the reader's interest, have to abridge; but I add no fact and trim naught of value away. . . . In time, place, circumstance, in every essential feature, I give them as I got them--strange stories that truly happened, all partly, some wholly, in Louisiana."

--George W. Cable

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Featuring seven factual accounts of life and history in the area, this compilation includes tales of French nuns, haunted houses, and even a Union woman trapped behind Civil War battle lines. Cable brings together all the unusual and unique aspects of New Orleans and the South in this literary collection.