Louisiana Books

Students today at LSU call the Pete Maravich Assembly Center the P-MAC. I can't stand to hear that. If they read this book, they might give the building the devotion it deserves. "Shooting the Pistol" is a clever name and the cover of this book and its design are also clever. I was expecting only pictures, but was amazed at the amount of copy that went along with the games corresponding to the photos. Pete is shown in all kinds of situations and the descriptions are amazing. This will make a great Father's Day gift.

This is an excellent recounting of Pete Maravich's playing days at LSU from the perspective of a court side photographer/journalist. Well written with wonderful pictures. A must have for basketball and sports history fans!

Ben Greer has done an excellent job of capturing the essense of the old Central Corrections Institute through his experience as a guard there. The book is well written and is a must read for all who enjoy a good story.

If you like books in the prison genre, you must read this one. Greer captures the society of prison and makes it real to the reader. I could not put this book down....I was spellbound. I'd place Slammer in the category of Shawshank Redemption.

This is an extremely engrossing history of the (virtual) stranglehold the South maintained on the US government from the birth of America until the election of Abraham Lincoln. It is also on account of the efforts by post-war southern historians to cover up the central fact of slavery as the dominating motive in the South's wish for control. I first heard of this book when I read a (highly complimentary) review of it by James McPherson, author of Battle Cry of Freedom. If you like McPherson's book, this will seem in many ways like a "prequel," filling in the story of the run-up to the Civil War in greater depth than McPherson could devote (though he did a great job on that, too). This book blows away alot of the "Gone With The Wind" fairy tales about the South before the war, and shows, convincingly and absorbingly, the Southern States' governments conscious (and for many decades, entirely successfull) attempts to maintain its slavery interests at the expense of the North and , of course, the slaves. When the South could no longer impose its will, it opted for war. Like McPherson's writings, Alan Nolan's Lee Considered, Thomas Connelly's The Marble Man and the writings of Gary Gallagher, this book helps do away with the "Moonlight & Magnolias" view of the South that was so prevalent up until the 1950's and, for some Civil War buffs, is the only reason for their interest. Too, Leonard Richards can write, so the reading of this book is a pleasure right up there with enjoyment of the argument. I think it will appear to all general readers interested in unravelling the complexities of the Civil War and our early history. Unlike so many awful books on the Civil War, this book is intellectually stimulating.

A very well-written book showing in detail how US history from the Revolution through 1860 was dominated by southerners bent on defending and expanding the inhumane institution of slavery. These thugs--such as Jefferson, Monroe, Calhoun--were willing to undermine liberty and democratic principles in order to maintain slavery at the expense of blacks and whites throughout the country. It takes off the varnish of mythology of some national leaders and shows the South for what it really was--a violent, brutal and undemocratic place.

Most people who are familiar with firsthand testimony of slave life know about the WPA slave narratives of the 1930s where balc and white writers interviewed ex-slaves about their experiences. A number of good books have come form the 19 volumes collected of that material and my students in the African-American class I teach enjoy reading them.

However, anyone interested in firsthand writings of the American slave experience should not do without this. This is a fascinating collection of writings, letters, and interviews of slaves known and unknown. Robert Smalls, the South Carolina Reconstruction hero, is shown in a early interview around 1863 describing the effects of slavery on its victims. Also, one of Robert E. Lee's slaves debunks the myth of his supposed benevolence toward his slaves (Confederate defenders take note).

Overall, this is a valuable addition to firsthand literature of a vanished but important period of American history. History teachers in particular will enjoy it immensely.

It's hard to believe that this is the first review of Blassingame's classic work. Here he has compiled hundreds of first-hand testimonies from slaves. What is so remarkable and helpful is the diversity of sources: letters, speeches, interviews, autobiographies, newspaper articles, and more. For the researcher and for the lay reader, there is no better place to experience the experiences of the enslaved African Americans than here.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction." He has also authored "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Friendships: Listening to the Voices of Women Soul Care-Givers and Spiritual Directors."

I'm not a writer. But, clearly, Jane Cutler is. So, please excuse this quick, poorly written review.

I got this book because I am directing a documentary about the 1904 World's Fair and thought the book might be interesting. My 9-year-old son asked if I would read it to him one night - like we had done when he was much younger. He absolutely loved it. When I had completed the first few pages, he said "this is a pretty good book". Every night he HAD to have me read more...To the point of him wanting to go to bed early (that NEVER happens) so that I could read "Molimo" to him. When his favorite movie, Harry Potter, came out on DVD, I was amazed to see him stop watching mid-movie because it was time to read "Molimo"! A few weeks later when I finished reading the last line and said "the end", the first words out of his mouth were "can we read it again?". We are currently on our third read through.

If THAT's not a glowing recommendatin, I don't know what is!

I read this book to my two sons. Parts of it were too sophisticated for my six year old, but my ten year old really enjoyed it. He also read it at school. I appreciate the way Ms Cutler dealt with racism within the time frame of the story. She clearly conveyed the unquestioning attitudes of that time, and yet let Harry gradually realize what he was seeing didn't fit the 'facts' as they were presented by others. This was a good history lesson for my children. They not only learned alot about the St. Louis World's Fair, but also about common attitudes during that time, and the value of thinking for oneself.

Fans of Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections" will love James Wilcox's work. His characters are both lovable and horrific; reading the book is like watching a train wreck that is almost about to happen. His Woodstockian handyman, Leo, acts as a nice foil to two mature folks who have fallen in love, haphazardly, and now have to deal with the consequences. And all this set in Tulsa Springs, in the deep south. Faulkner would have raised his glass to this author. Really great stuff, and the straight-faced comic relief is worth the price of admission. And far be it from me to give the plot away.

Gretchen and Frank Dambar are being visited by Gretchen's cousin Henry. Henry is heedless of bourgeois scruples. Instead of feeding the catfish he jumps right into the pond. Gretchen feels her friends are drifting to the right. They talk about nannies and step children.

The author has juxtaposed a native of Louisiana with someone from New York City and has illustrated the misunderstandings caused by the existence of two different cultures. The result is amusing and reasonable, at least to some extent. Differences and areas of potential disagreement include money, family servants, relatives, and friends. He thinks she is neurotic, particularly about money, and she thinks there is something wrong with his relationship with the handyman.

The Dambars are newlyweds but they are also middle-aged. Other people expect them to be able to read the social cues without difficulty. Frank Dambar appeals to his handyman to try to understand his new wife and to consider that they have a shared interest in philosophy. Gretchen learns in the end what living in a small town means as she encounters secrets and deaths.

James Wilcox is so funny that he can make a reader enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart with his characters.

This is a wonderful book full of great writing and great photos. The author has done a lot of footwork covering the subject. I tell all my Cresent City Music Loving Friends to get this book. It will be very hard for other authors to come behind this book and cover the same subject. Get this book for yourself - but don't lend it out - it won't come back.

This book gets five stars.
But Jeff really needs to get someone to copyread this text. Not to pick nits, but some words are mispelled and some teeny weeny inaccurate details might tend to take Hannusch's hard work and clear dedication to the subject matter with an unnecessary grain of salt.
Okay, enough of that. The fact is, if it weren't for what happened musically in New Orleans, we'd all very likely be listening to something else right now and not having as much fun. And if Jeff Hannusch hadn't taken the time to research and write up the history of New Orleans rhythm and blues, it might never have been done. Five stars, Jeff. Hire a copyreader for the next edition and this book will sparkle more than it does already.
-- NA

On election night, commentators usually forget to provide the context and background explaining why the south votes the way it does, making it "mysterious" to all but the pros.

This book begins by explaining the shift towards the Republican Party in the south in recent years in clear language. As much as was made of Gore's loss in his home state in 2000, this books makes clear that any democrat would likely have lost there.

The first chapter gives a regional overview and each succeeding chapter covers one state, written by a local expert. Highly recommended.

An amazing review of the status of the political situation in the American South in the 1990s. It will appeal to the lay audience, political scientists, and political professionals. In the fine tradition of V.O. Key.

This is the only book I have been able to find on Black Hawk and the Spiritual Churches of New Orleans. The author takes you on a journey into the heart of New Orleans both with text and color photographs. The author really seems to know his stuff. I have enjoyed reading this book several times, each time learning something new. The author gives details of the spiritual church movement in New Orleans and throughout the African community. We read about the incorporation of Black Hawk, a powerful Inidan warrior is venerated and worked for the benefit of all, including usual shrines to the Black Hawk spirit. Highly reccomended!

This book portrays the Indian spirit Black Hawk as known to the Spiritualist Churches in New Orleans. Black Hawk is a 19th century Midwestern Indian warrior especially dear to the heart of African-American spiritual faith in the deep South. Black Hawk's following first blossomed in New Orleans sometime around the 1920s through the work of the spiritualist Leafy Anderson. The book has biographical material about both Black Hawk and Leafy Anderson and includes interesting material about several of the spiritualists who came after her and who still keep the tradition alive. The book tells of the way Black Hawk benefits the lives of those who call on him - "He'll fight your battles." - Jason Berry is a fine, sensitive writer. The photos are great, expecially the one of Big Chief Jolly of the Wild Tchoupitoulas taken at the time of Mardi Gras in 1979.

Fred Chappell has defined himself as a quirky, original voice in American poetry over the years. His Selected Poems is no exception. He has written a prologue to the whole book and one for each section, along with an epilogue for the collection, all of which creates a loose narrative out of nearly thirty years of an astounding poet's career.

I advise any serious reader of poetry and/or southern literature to purchase this book. The poems range from erudite to earthy to witty to just plain silly. Chappell can do it all--from formal verse to experimental free verse--and he does it all masterfully. He certainly deserves his reputation (Bollingen winner, T. S. Eliot Award winner, and NC poet laureate). In fact, I think it's time someone gave him a Pulitzer or National Book Award.

Chappell's Spring Garden collection of poems is made for poets! His hilarious epigrams poke fun at himself and others. Among amazingly tender and beautifully serene poems include "Abandoned Schoolhouse at Long Branch" and "Humility." He shows his poetic genius with "Narcissus and Echo." Chappell is truly one of the geniuses of modern poetry. Own this book! It already is a classic.