History of Louisiana, The (Louisiana Parish Histories Series) [Paperback]

Martin François (Author), Robert C. Reinders (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1565545362 | ISBN-13: 978-1565545366 | Publication Date: July 24, 1998 | Edition: 3

The scarcity of Louisiana’s recorded past provides a great opportunity for the return of François Martin’s intriguing work, "The History of Louisiana." Originally published in 1827, this is one of the classic historical studies of the Pelican State by one of Louisiana’s most thorough early historians. Martin befriended many leading figures of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Louisiana, enabling him to write from a personal knowledge of people and events.

Martin based much of his work on the writings of earlier authorities such as Garcilas de la Vegas, Pierre Charlevoix, and Daniel Coxe. His experiences as Supreme Court justice for 31 years, legislator, and historian armored him with the ability to tell history objectively while integrating his own critical judgement and interpretation. Finishing the account at the age of sixty five, his involvement in the government from 1803 to 1815 carry that section of the book vastly in depth. Martin takes readers on a journey through Louisiana’s history from the adventures of Hernando de Soto to the pains of a state in secession. More than one hundred fifty years ago, this chronicler covered new ground in what many observers refer to as "the first history of Louisiana which merits the name."

With an introduction by Tulane University’s Robert C. Reinders, this edition also features a biography of Martin along with an index, making it useful and enjoyable for both scholars and general readers alike.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

François Xavier Martin records the earliest periods of Louisiana history with special emphasis on the events of 1803-15. As a judge in Louisiana in the early 1800s, Martin was able to observe the state and its politics firsthand. He drew upon his own experiences as well as the work and writings of other authorities on the topic to craft a detailed look at the state from the time of Hernando de Soto through the start of the nineteenth century. Since Martin was sympathetic to the Creole population and committed to the U.S. government, his history presents a well-balanced picture of the times. Originally published in 1827, The History of Louisiana has been heralded as the first history of Louisiana that merits this name. Other historians, such as Charles Gayarré, Louisiana's most outstanding nineteenth-century historian, have found value in Martin's influential book. Expansive, meticulous, and fascinating, this work represents an important contribution to the historical study of America's eighteenth state.

About the Author

François Xavier Martin was born on March 17, 1762, in Marseilles, France. He spent his boyhood in this seaport until he was eighteen and left for the Caribbean island of Martinique. From there, he arrived in New Bern, North Carolina, during the last years of the American Revolution. He volunteered for a short time in the Continental army.

Success came to Martin when he got into the printing business, working his way up until he established his own newspaper. Later, he became a lawyer and finally a publisher of legal books. Not content to just publish, he translated and compiled books. James Madison appointed Martin judge of the Territory of Orleans in 1810. When Louisiana came into the Union, Martin became state attorney general, and in 1815, Martin became a judge of the Louisiana Superior Court. In 1817, he was elected a member of the Academy of Marseilles, and in 1841, he was made doctor of laws by Harvard College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 556 pages
• Publisher: Firebird Press; 3 edition (July 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565545362
• ISBN-13: 978-1565545366
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,423,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars History of Louisiana, November 6, 2010

By 

T. D. Hudson "Timothy D. Hudson" (Denham Springs, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: History of Louisiana, The (Louisiana Parish Histories Series) (Paperback)

Martin's work is an old standard, but his writing style proves exceedinly unpleasant. He abruptly jumps from one topic to another and then back again, without any explanation whatsoever. Moreover, he fails to give dates for the events he describes, making it very hard to know precisely when the events he describes actually occurred. Martin's failure to provide any references or sources proves even more annoying than his writing style (or lack thereof). Still, this work gives a lot of useful information, even though the lack of documentation forces the serious researcher to consult other sources. Finally, Martin apparently relied on heresay for some of his statements, and he makes frequent mistakes. Tread carefully!