Louisiana

From the boardroom to the headlines!

From salesman to dealership owner, New Orleans-born billionaire Tom Benson started in business with cars, which paved the way for his other profitable enterprises that include banks, real estate, and the New Orleans Saints. Kathy Finn’s biography of this self-made tycoon reveals some of the mystery behind the legend. Beginning with his working-class childhood in New Orleans, Finn delves into the contention surrounding Benson, from the controversial near-relocation of the Saints to the dramatic legal battle with his daughter. Including interviews with friends, family, and acquaintances, this extensive compilation sheds light on the man behind the empire—his successes and his tragedies.

Trace a legend's route from an orphan train to the College Football Hall of Fame .

A couple confronts the racial divide in Louisiana.

In an era when segregation was commonplace, an educated, white woman from a small Southern town fell in love with a black paraplegic divorcee. To say this match was unfavorable to most would be an understatement. Despite the animosity they faced, Kathy and George Eames forged a life inspired by this controversy-fighting for civil equality. Working with the local NAACP, George fought against racism and discrimination, bringing to light instances of violence that were hidden from the public and calling for change in all aspects of the community. This is a story of hope and courage. It is a story that needs to be read today to remind the world how much change is needed.

The step-by-step development of this art, with advice on carving techniques and collecting.

Golden Age costume design was a tremendous spectacle of whimsy, mythology, and satire. Costumes included an extraordinary array of creatures: demons, fairies, magicians, animals and vegetables real and imagined, and a host of others.

Final installment in the Mardi Gras Treasures Series looks at the artistry and craftsmanship of scepters, crowns, mantles, and krewe favors from Carnival's Golden Age. Exquisite in design and craftsmanship, Mardi Gras jewelry, offered as favors by krewe members, are cherished gifts, proudly worn year after year by the lucky recipients. As is everything related to Mardi Gras, these specially designed and crafted keepsakes are unique to the celebration and reveal the intricate detail observed in carrying out the annual tradition. Mardi Gras crowns, scepters, and mantles, designed exclusively for each krewe, dazzle with brilliant rhinestones and are truly fit for a king.

The fantastic parade floats of Carnival's Golden Age (1870-1930) depicted themes drawn from mythology, epic literature, history, nature, and whimsy. The glimmering processions of the masked gods and bearded kings of New Orleans Carnival occupy a central position among the rites and glories of this great festival. The long succession of these glowing, torch-lit pageants--with their towering monsters and fantastic decors, their papier-m'ch' kingdoms and diamond-dust thrones--became the greatest and most beloved of New Orleans communal rituals.

The introduction of the float brought tremendous artistry to the splendid conveyances for carnival revelry, but the artists and builders who created the fabled pageants have remained obscure or unknown, their amazing body of work largely forgotten. Even the surviving watercolor float plates and chromolithographed Carnival Bulletins are works of art and prized by collectors, as so few of these fragile items remain.

Presented in this collection are dazzling examples of original float designs as rendered in watercolor and lithographs--most of them reproduced here for the first time.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

Perfect for tourists visiting Louisiana for
Francof'te (the state's 300th anniversary celebration), Congres Mondial,
or any other reason, Memoires de Lafayette presents fifteen
historic attractions of the Capital of Acadiana.
The sites of interest include: le courir de Mardi Gras (the running
of Mardi Gras); the University of Southwest Louisiana, which offers the
nation's only doctorate degree in Francophone Studies; and the Old City Hall,
which has also served as a bank and a library, and is currently the home of
Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL). The Cajun city
once known as Vermilionville comes to life on the pages of Memoires de
Lafayette .
Also available in English.

The heartbreaking story of two Acadian lovers separated during the expulsion of the French settlers from Nova Scotia.