Jason Berry's history of New Orleans covers a period of more than three hundred years, from the city's founding through to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Berry's approach is to devote each chapter to a notable New Orleans citizen and, by telling their stories and those of their times, give an overview of the complicated threads of New Orleans's development. Invaders, pirates, slaves, Spanish and French colonists, creoles, native Americans, politicians, religious leaders, musicians and artists are profiled by Berry. In the process he takes us through the city's founding, the colonial era, the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War, the emergence of jazz and the Mardi Gras tradition right up to the present day destruction of the city in the hurricane, and its subsequent rebirth.

Berry manages to capture what makes New Orleans unique: a blend of French, Spanish, African and Native American influences that gave rise to cultural innovations that have conquered the world, as have some of its foremost artists and musicians. Berry's optimism about the city's resurgence suggests that he believes that this culture will once again triumph.

Could not put this book down. Every chance I had, I was reading it. Great read on New Orleans, the history , religion, just everythign!!!!! Stunning!!!!!! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not affect my opinion of this book nor my review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

City of a Million Dreams: A History of New Orleans at Year 300 by Jason Berry

Sometimes, you read another review and you realize, I can’t say it any better. Henceforth, I quote that review, giving this marvelous book a top 5/5 rating!

“I devoured this book. Jason Berry has a profound understanding of the main ingredients of New Orleans history: race, religion, and music. In this fascinating work, he weaves them together in a luscious, multicolored tapestry of the town's 300 years. Like a wonderful piece of jazz, it has recurring strands and lovely riffs that make the narrative dance."—Walter Isaacson, New York Times best-selling author of Leonardo da Vinci

Pub Date 12 Nov 2018

Thanks to University of North Carolina Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#CityOfAmillionDreams #NetGalley