Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children and Other Streets of New Orleans [Paperback]

John churchill Chase (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1979

Few cities can boast such numerous, strange-sounding, regal, and historic street names as New Orleans.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Have you ever wondered where the fascinating and often difficult-to-pronounce street names of New Orleans come from? This classic, humorous reference on the nomenclature of the city's roadways explains the history of such street names as Tchoupitoulas, Marigny, Poets, Decatur, and more. Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children reveals the intriguing tales of the developers, families, notorious and famous people, places, and events from which these names were created, sharing the street-level history of this one-of-a-kind American city. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

New Orleans born and educated, John Churchill Chase studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts before returning to his city of birth, it being better suited for "living purposes." He lived on Music Street, not named, he used to say, because his children used to take lessons and practice on the piano every day. During his life, Chase was the number one authority on the streets' histories, in fact, on much of New Orleans history. He was frequently contacted by the city before a street name was changed, though many were changed anyway. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Scribner Paper Fiction; 3 edition (October 1, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0020309805
• ISBN-13: 978-0020309802
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,988,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must reading for those who love New Orleans!, January 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children and Other Streets of New Orleans (Paperback)

There's no place like New Orleans! John Churchill Chase eloquently chronicles the origins and development of this most fascinating of American cities in his humorous masterpiece "Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children." Learn why the "French Quarter" isn't French (p. 58). Learn why "Craps Street" was renamed "Burgundy Street" to save the reputation of three New Orleans churches (p. 85). Learn why "Bourbon Street" wasn't named after "bourbon" whiskey (p. 19). Learn why New Orleans was the scene of the first "American Revolution" (p. 55). Learn the origins of the word "Creole" (p. 73), and why the Creoles considered the first American settlers in Louisiana "barbarians." (chapter 6). "Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children" is fun, fascinating, and illustrated. It's must reading for those who love New Orleans! Read it before your next New Orleans visit. It will greatly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the "Big Easy." David (the Nac) Naccari, New Orleans Historian and Professional Speaker

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable, funny, and fascinating history, March 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Frenchmen Desire Good Children And Other Streets Of New Orleans (Paperback)

Although I am a New Orleans native, I had no idea there was so much fascinating history behind the names of the streets. Chase is legendary, and his stories have the same amusing light bite of his political cartoons. Great reading, and you don't have to be familiar with the city to enjoy it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must reading for those who love New Orleans!, January 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children and Other Streets of New Orleans (Paperback)

There's no place like New Orleans! John Churchill Chase eloquently chronicles the origins and development of this most fascinating of American cities in his humorous masterpiece "Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children." Learn why the "French Quarter" isn't French (p. 58). Learn why "Craps Street" was renamed "Burgundy Street" to save the reputation of three New Orleans churches (p. 85). Learn why "Bourbon Street" wasn't named after "bourbon" whiskey (p. 19). Learn why New Orleans was the scene of the first "American Revolution" (p. 55). Learn the origins of the word "Creole" (p. 73), and why the Creoles considered the first American settlers in Louisiana "barbarians." (chapter 6). "Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children" is fun, fascinating, and illustrated. It's must reading for those who love New Orleans! Read it before your next New Orleans visit. It will greatly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the "Big Easy." David (the Nac) Naccari, New Orleans Historian and Professional Speaker