Louisiana Books

This well written and researched little book deals with the issue of whether the Confederacy could have done more with their victory in April, 1864, in the Red River campaign and whether there was a failure in the command structure. The Northern forces quickly captured New Orleans and south Louisiana in 1862; but it was not until 1864 that they began their move north to capture the rest of the State of Louisiana and begin their conquest of Texas. The Northern forces were led by the inept political general, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, a former Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives. The Southern forces were led by the aristocratic Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, the son of a former president, Zachary Taylor, and the brother of Jefferson Davis's first wife, who had died at a young age. Neither man was a trained career soldier. But Taylor, a Yale graduate and former Louisiana sugar planter before the war, had served under Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley in 1862 and was the better general.
After the Battle of Mansfield on April 8, 1864, resulted in a Confederate victory, General Taylor wanted to pursue and destroy the remainder of Banks's 30,000 man (and some women) army, but was prevented from doing so by his superior in Shreveport, Lt. Gen. Kirby Smith, with the result that most of Banks's army was able to retreat to the safety of south Louisiana and live to fight another day in other battles. The author documents all of this and specifically shows how certain troops from the Red River Campaign were used in other battles in other states.
The author further points out that the crushing destruction of such a large Union army so close to Lincoln's re-election campaign in November, 1864, might have contributed to his election defeat with all the consequences that might have meant for the war.
An excellent and recommended study.

An interesting account of largely ignored campaign during the Civil War. Michael Forsyth's detailed descriptions of the relationships amongst the primary Union and Confederate leaders sets the stage for his analysis of the campaign and also sets this book apart from other military history books. His conclusion that this campaign could have changed the outcome of the Civil War is both interesting and soundly arrived at based on the level of research he conducted. Highly recommend this book for those studying the decisive but intangible aspect of combat power - leadership.

This was an awesome book about a tenant farmer from Louisiana. Many books have been written about slavery and other aspects of African American heritage, this is my first tenant farmer book. It's a compelling work of art for the Clark family. Bertina Suber (Jessup, MD)

The history of early activists who connected civil rights and labor rights is a compelling story. This book offers the reader an extremely personal view of the struggle of an early civil rights leader who made the connection between fair labor practices and basic human rights. The story is told through the voice of Mr. Clark who made incredible sacrifices to bring to the forefront the exploitation of sharecroppers and tenant farmers in rural Louisiana. His story awakens the reader to the conditions of the poor in Louisiana and asserts the rights of African-Americans as they struggled to make a living in the rural south prior to the depression and during the Roosevelt New Deal Era. Mr. Clark's narrative is a story that has value to those who are interested in exploring the historical significance of labor and civil rights as well as for those who wish to read and understand narratives of early leaders in their own words. The authors do an outstanding job of placing Mr. Clark's story in context of the historical period and provide excellent documentation to substantiate the era. For those who love history and enjoy reading about individuals who have given so much to help others overcome obstacles, this book is a must read. I highly recommend this book and encourage the exploration of a truly remarkable period in our history. The relevance of the struggle to organize small farmers is particularly important as the decline of African-American farmers continues to present a blight on the history of this country. I highly applaud the editors, Davey and Clark, for bringing Mr. Clark's manuscript to a larger audience and for highlighting the book with exceptionally well documented sources that assist the reader with placing the story in its historical context. Mr. Clark's story has universal appeal and truly demonstrates the resiliency of the individual and the strength of close family relationships. This is a must read for those interested in the evolution of agrarian structures in the south, the strength of families, the development of labor, the impact of educational opportunities on groups of people, the importance of the narratives of individuals participating in historical events, and the rights of the poor. Victoria Cofield-Aber, Educator and Clinical Social Worker

This book does for the subject of southern reform what J. Mills Thornton's Politics and Power in a Slave Society did for southern politics. We simply have to reevaluate out traditional approach to antebellum southern culture after this book. Absolutely not for general readers, who do not like such detail and a 57.50 (!) price tag, but essential for South historians.

Historians of antebellum reform have tended to divide their subject along sectional lines, with northern reform being considered normative. Antebellum reform in the North has been difficult enough to understand, so it should be no surprise that few scholars have dared to reconcile the reform impulse in the North and South. Even admitting that the reform impulse existed in the South has been a somewhat recent development in the historiography (for examples, see Anne Loveland's Southern Evangelicals and the Social Order, Stanley Harrold's Abolitionists and the South, and Janet Cornelius Duitsman's Slave Missions and the Black Church in the Antebellum South). Quist, however, tackles the problem head-on by comparing reform in two counties, one in Alabama and one in Michigan. That he finds significant differences should surprise no one. That he also finds striking similarities, however, may require us to do some rethinking about reform in the antebellum South. Just as in the North, he sees reform in the South as "compatible with the demands of market behavior." His study is truly pathbreaking in that it opens up new territory and problems to explore. Because of Quist, any comprehensive account of antebellum reform will need to incorporate the Southern reform experience. I highly recommend this work to students of antebellum reform.

Just moving to the Texas coastline I have fallen in love with the Pelicans here:brown and white. This is a fabulous book with the detailed pictures, and I was fascinated as to how Dan G gathered/took the pic's to illustrate Joseph Brown's detailed text so wonderful. It is the best book for all ages and a purrfect coffe table book for anyone who lives in the Pelican areas of the coast. Looking to buy a good used copy so I can finish this FAB book.

This book was really good. Even though i'm kind of young, i understood it and thought it was an amazing book.

This book is the original and still definitive book on New Orleans rhythm & blues, the music that was the true forerunner of what popularly became rock 'n' roll. As a boy in England, Broven was so thrilled by Little Richard's performance of the song "Long Tall Sally" in the movie DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK that he ran from the matinee showing at his local theatre to buy it before the record store closed. It was only years later that he discovered that Little Richard's hits, like those of his other favorite, Fats Domino (who dominated Louisiana music and rhythm & blues in the 1950s and is appropriately pictured on the cover) were recorded by New Orleans studio musicians who created the backbone of rockin' rhythm & blues. Other musicians featured here include Roy Brown, who popularized the word "rock" in rhythm & blues long before Alan Freed in his 1947 classic "Good Rockin' Tonight" (which like Little Richard and other New Orleans records were significantly covered by Elvis Presley); Aaron Neville, Dave Bartholomew, Lloyd Price, Allen Toussaint and legendary drummer Earl Palmer, the last four of whom have recently been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Similarly to Charlie Gillett's groundbreaking classic THE SOUND OF THE CITY, Broven thoroughly covers the record companies who came to New Orleans to mine the city's musical gold, but he also takes an in-depth look into the musicians which made the city a musical force. RHYTHM & BLUES IN NEW ORLEANS features interviews with many of them, including Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack, whose lengthy reminisces during an English tour inspired the book. It is a must for anyone interested in the history of rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll, black culture or New Orleans culture.

I think I have read this book at least 5 times. It easy to read and includes info about all the stars of New Orleans Rock and Roll.

The second updated edition of Roadside Geology of Louisiana is especially important to any regional geology or Louisiana geology collection because it updates a 1995 edition and adds newly updated sections to include recent geologic changes from Hurricane Katrina. Here are treks complete with maps, charts and discussions blending travel and geology under one cover, along with a survey that breaks Louisiana into regional chapters for quick, easy access. Especially recommended for destination travels to Louisiana with a special interest in geology and history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This guide does a great job of explaining the geology of Louisiana, a state where impressive geology doesn't come to mind. From the hills in the north of the state to the coastal salt domes, Spearing explains it all in great detail for the layman. In addition to discussing the sights you'd see on the side of the road, Spearing also discusses the geology of the oil and gas industry of the state. Additionally, he provides a good discussion of the Mississippi River and how it has changed the landscape over the years. This book will open your eyes to the hidden geology around you!

A Gem of a book.
Kim Antieau's writing can be hard to find but worth the effort.
Easy to read, though in dialect-well packaged and for all ages over twelve years.
Follow Ruby and "the Big Spin" to learn about what might and did happen when the Hurricane strikes.

There is a big storm coming. A "Big Spin," as Ruby calls it. Ruby knows the storm is coming because Ruby Butterfly told her, and the Big Oaks told Ruby Butterfly. So it must be true. But, should Ruby tell anyone else? Her grandmother, Mammaloose, says that Ruby just makes things up. Mammaloose probably wouldn't believe her. She would just say it's one more thing from Ruby's imagine. Kind of like Ruby's memories of her sisters and living in the swamp. Just Ruby's imagine.

Not real at all.

Ruby lives in Louisiana with Mammaloose and Uncle Gilbert. Ruby has a special way of talking. Her friend JayEl says it is like Ruby paints a picture with her words. Its just one more thing that makes Ruby stand apart from other people.

Mammaloose isn't particularly loving towards Ruby, but she has her good friends, human and otherwise. The flying people, the rooted people, Samuel Beckett Sparrow and Maya Angelou Hummingbird, Mr. Lagniappe and JayEl, all seem to understand Ruby better than her own grandmother. And Ruby loves everyone. And she warns them that the storm is coming. The storm is real, and it is coming straight toward them. Everything Ruby knows and imagines is about to change because the storm is bringing more destruction than anyone could have imagined and more truth as well.

As Ruby sees her neighborhood swallowed up by the water, she also finds out the truth about the family secrets that have been kept from her for too long. As it turns out, not everything was just Ruby's imagine.

RUBY'S IMAGINE is a true gem of a novel. You become immediately immersed in Ruby's world through her use of highly evocative words and her pure feelings for everyone and everything around her. The story is set during the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. Along with a moving story about family and community, there is a very real message about the environment, a subject that is becoming more and more important to every one of us.

Most importantly though, Ruby is a character to cherish. Someone who is as in tune with nature and the people around her as she is with herself. Someone who is nonjudgmental, loving, and forgiving. Someone who likes to make a difference. She is guaranteed to be a character that you will remember for a long time to come.

Reviewed by: JodiG.

I live in Culpeper County, Virginia and am extremely familiar with local history. I live a half mile from Amissville and 1 mile from Waterloo, two communities that are mentioned in the book.

This book is well documented and right on the money in virtually all aspects; historical content, accuracy and sequencing. This book is highly recommended for those wishing to get an unvarnished perspective of the impact of the Civil War on a typical community caught in the crossfire of the Lost Cause.

Excellent reading.

This book is a great find for anyone desiring to get the southern civilian's perspective on the Civil War. Professor Sutherland deserves praise for his efforts in finding an incredible depth of resources to tell the story of a Confederate community, which, by virtue of its strategic location, found itself in the heart of this enormous conflict. The perspective Professor Sutherland brings to his subject gives this book a "readability" that easily separates it from many other civil war histories. The book really shines in its depiction of the affect the war had on the civilian population. In addition, this book details the beginnings of the concept of "total war" as created and put in force by the Union General, Pope (a new book is due soon from Sutherland on just this subject). This book shares the side of the conflict that is not normally exposed. Tales of unionists, free blacks and slaves in the area during the war are depicted along side the narrative of a proud Southern community as it anticipates victory only to see the inevitable conclusion. Located close to many battlefields, as well as being home to significant battles at Cedar Mountain and Brandy Station, Professor Sutherland points out that Culpeper was, perhaps, the community most affected by the war. A great book - easy to read and informative. When you are finished, you will have learned a bit more about this nation and the forces that have made us what we are today.

Shameless is shamelessly one of the best romantic fiction novels to come out in a long time. Cammie is a stong independent woman trying to get a divorce. Reid is a dark and dangerous though compelling man with a lot of interesting rough edges. Passionate fireworks fly between the two of them, as they try to decide whether they can trust each other, or whether their darkest suspicions about each other may be true. A must for reading and then lots of rereading!

This was the first Jennifer Blake book I ever read and I loved it! Its a great story of two people who grew up together but have led separate lives for quite some time. The story follows Camilla and Reid as they get to know each other again and try to do so ignoring what the town is saying and the fatc that they might be on oppposite sides of the battle to come! I definitely recommend this novel!

Outstanding-I live in the Shenandoah Valley and this book really touched me. I don't know what I enjoyed more, the detailed history or the photographs. It has caught the true beauty of the valley as everyone should see it. Some of the hidden treasures have been unveiled in this book.

The photography in this book is outstanding. It is well written with historical vignettes of the beautiful Shenandoah valley. I first came across it in my dentist's office and knew I had to have it! It is well written by an author who is intimately familiar with the valley and its people.