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| Beautiful Crescent: A History of New Orleans | 
 enlarge | Authors: Joan B. Garvey, Mary Lou Widmer
Publisher: Garmer Pr
Category: Book
List Price: $22.00
Buy New: $7.69
You Save: $14.31 (65%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (3 reviews)
Sales Rank: 306560
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: Revised 1997
Pages: 249
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 0961296003
Dewey Decimal Number: 976.335
EAN: 9780961296001
ASIN: 0961296003
Publication Date: February 1983
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Coud New Orleans have withstood the wrath of Katrina? Read about it on page 208 A-B (just added). Beautiful Crescent is a good short basic history of New Orleans--and more. It's a foundation, a springboard, and appetizer--just enough factual political history, just enough "people" history to tantalize and whet the appetite. The wonderful lists of govenors, mayors, noted personalities, and chronology make this fun and interesting for everyone who loves New Orleans and her colorful history.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Good Foundation in History of New Orleans until 1982... January 3, 2009
From Table of Contents:
1 - The Part the River Played
2 - Discovery & Exploration
3 - The French Period
4 - The Spanish Period
5 - On Becoming American (1803-1815)
6 - Progress in a Period of Peace (1820-1860)
7 - Customs, Carnival, and Cemeteries
8 - New Orleans, An Occupied City (1862-1876)
9 - Rebirth and Resurgence (1865-1930)
10 - Growth in a Modern City (after 1930)
11 - New Orleans Today (1982)
* Bibliography
* Glossary
* Chronology
* Noted Personalities
* Governors
* Mayors
* Statues and Monuments
 Indispensible overview December 14, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Garvey and Widmer were retired school teachers and amateur genealogists and historians, with deep roots in the city they love. This book packs lots and lots of information and some good stories into 250pp. They write in a simple, accessible style that make this readable for just about anyone.
The authors are unabashed fans of New Orleans who continually gush about their city. They do not seem to hide the seedier elements of their city, but they do tend to excuse or rationalize them. For example, the 'reform' mayor of the 1880s (Shakespear) set up a system of bribe taking from illegal gambling establishment in exchange for police protection -- but he only did this, they report, because the prudish state of Louisiana unjustly kept gambling illegal. And besides, Shakespear, originally at least, used the funds to set up alms houses. Sure!
Similar explanations are given for the racial injustice of the city, its hedonism, etc.
I don't know enough about New Orleans history to make any informed evaluation of their historical judgments. But it seems obvious that the authors know their topic.
The packaging, at least in my 2002 printed edition, is unimaginative and basic, but solid.
Overall, I'd recommend this highly as a nice overview, a tour guide, and a primer for NOLA history.
Good general overview of history of New Orleans July 30, 2000
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
I rate this a four because of its content more than the writing. If you're looking for one book to cover it's history from the geology that formed the land, to first settlers in 17th century through modern times, this is an excellent choice.
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