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A review by evavroslin
The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square by Ned Sublette
5.0
One of the best books, if not THE best book, I've read on the subject of the history of New Orleans. This is one of the most comprehensive, interesting, endlessly fascinating, absorbing histories of New Orleans that I've ever read, and I took in all in like a sponge, each chapter making me eager for more. Most of the book focuses on the formation of Louisiana and the history of how it came to be colonized by the French and the Spanish as well as the difficulties that arose from that. He devotes a lot of attention to the ties between New Orleans and Havana, Cuba, which were more than I previously thought. There's an extensive discussion of slavery, particularly as compared to the other American states, especially North Carolina and Virginia which were colonized by the British, to show a stark contrast in the treatment of slaves.
In the last chapter, there is some discussion of Hurricane Katrina that focuses on "one year later" and some of the aftermath as well as the political ramifications, I believe his other book "The Year Before the Flood" would discuss his experiences of modern New Orleans (he had a research opportunity at Tulane University that ended exactly 3 months prior to Hurricane Katrina), but he affirms just how culturally significant New Orleans has been to America. It's an essential read for anyone who wants more information on the history of New Orleans, how the city came to be, the colonizing powers in Europe that were always battling for control over it, and ultimately any history buff will find this to be an engrossing page-turner, particularly with the author's engaging, non-stuffy, and thus accessible literary style. Highly recommended.
In the last chapter, there is some discussion of Hurricane Katrina that focuses on "one year later" and some of the aftermath as well as the political ramifications, I believe his other book "The Year Before the Flood" would discuss his experiences of modern New Orleans (he had a research opportunity at Tulane University that ended exactly 3 months prior to Hurricane Katrina), but he affirms just how culturally significant New Orleans has been to America. It's an essential read for anyone who wants more information on the history of New Orleans, how the city came to be, the colonizing powers in Europe that were always battling for control over it, and ultimately any history buff will find this to be an engrossing page-turner, particularly with the author's engaging, non-stuffy, and thus accessible literary style. Highly recommended.