Why New Orleans Matters

Why New Orleans Matters

By: Tom Piazza  

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Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5

In the aftermath of Katrina and the disaster that followed, promises were made, forgotten, and renewed. Now what will become of New Orleans in the years ahead? What do this proud, battered city and its people mean to America and the world?

Award-winning author and longtime New Orleans resident Tom Piazza illuminates the storied culture and uncertain future of this great and neglected American metropolis by evoking the sensuous rapture of the city that gave us jazz music and Creole cooking; examining its deep undercurrents of corruption, racism, and injustice; and explaining how its people endure and transcend those conditions. And, perhaps most important, he asks us all to consider the spirit of this place and all the things it has shared with the world: its grace and beauty, resilience and soul.

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Release Date: 2008-08-19

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Excellent - a must read! - Fantastic - evocative, inspiring and engaging. Great writing about a fantastic city - it puts me in mind of that great NOLA title by Richard Katrovas - Mystic Pig. Definitely get it - you won't regret it.

Customer Review: 3 out of 5
Good but not great - It is clear the author is excited about New Orleans: anyone that lives here or has spent any time here is excited about this city. But the author's writing is a little too glossy, a little too travel-brochure-ish, and although he comes close to what he intends to say, he ends up missing the 'grit' of the city, the actual flavor, and in the end, to me, sounds somewhat superficial and naive.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Before and after New Orleans - The author writes about life in New Orleans before the storm. He remembers the bands, the food, and the earning of money by families. After the flood, he talks about what needs to be done to bring life that used to be back to New Orleans. The public in New Orleans, the local and national government are all resources that the author supposes can be used to remake New Orleans.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Sidewalk Legend's - Spirt renewal, it was Aug.16,2004,rleans,La.(Lost in Poor Man's Paridise)Ole-man,sittin-on a box,as I watched him play the harp, it was mid-day with a hot summer sun,leaning up against the wall that supported his back,he played a familiar tune I remember, "Big Boss Man" there, in a slender amount of shade he told a story, through the music.Soon a young man, about 18-years I would guess, sit down next to him, he was carring his guitar, and motioned to the Ole-man if it was o.k. if he filled-in, they sit together and played that afternoon and I watched and listen as long as I could. Leaving "B" Street that night, walking back towards Canel St. to the Hotel, I passed two parked cars, and standing in- between, was a tall man,dressed in work-close and he begain playing on the largest bass sax. I think I have ever seen, the song was "Amazing Grace", I'll never foreget the harmony, and the richness of tradition that I felt that day, for this you see, was the real culture, at least the one I choose to remember. Good and sweet, down in the Big-Easy...New Orlean's, La. The feelings, sounds and smells of good-eating are still with me! Sully 08'

Customer Review: 2 out of 5
Preaching to the choir. - As a Nola expatriate, I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was very disappointed. It rambled, almost as if Mr. Piazza was so overwhelmed with love for his city (which I totally understand) that he couldn't organize his thoughts beyond effusion. It's too much preaching to the choir. I had hoped this book would pull those in who don't understand why we want to rebuild, who advocate for letting this culture and magnificence disappear! Piazza talks about the great restaurants and the wonderful music and eclectic personalities... He says *what's* important but he never communicates quite WHY. Living in the Midwest now and having a hard time defending why my city deserves to be saved, I read the book with a mindset of "what if I'd never been there". I was hoping this book could reach them, the naysayers. It doesn't. It can't. It's too caught up in itself. This book doesn't say why New Orleans should matter to those who currently care less; it's just a love letter. I can't imagine it will sway anyone who doesn't already have the context of living or visiting to understand his love.

Chris Rose's book, "1 Dead in Attic" somehow manages to do a fantastic job of this, even though his love for the city is just as great. Rose is a columnist for the local Times-Picayune. If you want to know why New Orleans matters, read his book instead.

I'd also recommend "Very New Orleans" by artist Diana Hollingsworth Gessler. Interestingly, this book is a compilation of detailed sketches and brief descriptions that capture the vibrancy of New Orleans in an incredibly uplifting way. I found myself smiling as I went through, page by page, not only remembering things I'd forgotten, but thinking to myself, "Now THIS is why New Orleans matters!!"

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