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The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square
 
 
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The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square (Hardcover)

by Ned Sublette (Author)
Key Phrases: superior council, spy boy, rumba francesa, New Orleans, United States, Congo Square (more...)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Customers buy this book with Cuba and Its Music: From the First Drums to the Mambo by Ned Sublette

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this thoughtful, well-researched history, Sublette (Cuba and Its Music) charts the development of New Orleans, from European colonization through the Haitian revolution (which was crucial to French and American negotiations over Louisiana) to the Louisiana Purchase. Central to his account are the African slaves, who began arriving in New Orleans in 1719, and their contributions to the city's musical life. He considers, for example, how musical influences from different parts of Africa—Kongo drumming and Senegambian banjo playing—combined to forge a distinctive musical culture. Sublette also lucidly discusses New Orleans' important role in the domestic slave trade, arguing persuasively that the culture of slavery in New Orleans was different from that in Virginia or South Carolina. In New Orleans, there was a large population of free blacks, and slaves there had greater relative freedom than elsewhere. Furthermore, by the early 19th century, Louisiana was home to more African-born slaves than the Upper South. Those factors, which helped perpetuate African religion and dance, combined to offer an alternative path of development for African American culture. As our nation continues to ponder the future of the Big Easy, Sublette offers an informative accounting of that great city's past. 20 b&w photos. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* In the rush to analyze New Orleans after Katrina, this articulate and intensely researched history provides not only an impressive look at its subject but also should serve as a model for any future works on great American cities. As he tracks discovery by the French, colonization by the Spanish, and eventual possession by the Americans, Sublette reveals how each nation implanted its character on the Crescent City’s development. Most startling will be his discussion of the deep Cuban and Haitian connections and the cultural and economic effect these Caribbean islands have on present day society and industry. As the author of Cuba and Its Music (2007), Sublette gives the city’s musical legacy its due and investigates Congo Square with its tradition of late night celebrations rooted in distant African life, which provided a permanent link between the two continents. He finishes with an insightful discussion on the Mardi Gras Indians, significant groups who are keeping New Orleans’ history of slavery and hard-fought freedom alive. Cultural studies and history do not get much better than this, a must read for anyone who wonders why this city must be saved. --Colleen Mondor

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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (January 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1556527306
  • ISBN-13: 978-1556527302
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,455 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #19 in  Books > Travel > United States > States > Louisiana > New Orleans
    #46 in  Books > History > United States > State & Local > Louisiana
    #95 in  Books > History > Historical Study > Civilization & Culture

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The World that Made New Orleans , December 13, 2007
This writing covers a lot of territory in a relatively short space. I could have read much more. There are insights and clues into the life of New Orleans from its earliest days as a French and Spanish colony and the first African-American city in the United States. The author indicates the importance of the place historically, economically and culturally. New Orleans appears to have fallen off the radar of most Americans recently, probably due to the fact that most Americans get their information from TV and that medium, being owned an operated by a few corporate interests, has censored the story of the destruction resulting from an apparently avoidable disaster. But the mainstream media has also turned a blind eye to culture in general and that's why this book, and Sublette's other book "Cuba and its Music" are so important. It is as true today as it ever was that being literate is a good way to overcome widespread ignorance. So I recommend reading both of these books as great eye and mind openers.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Checked out from the library and purchased when it came time to renew. Hope a Kindle version is ready soon., May 3, 2008
I checked this book out when I was planning a trip to New Orleans. Initially I thought it was not what I was looking for but Ned Sublette's style was so laid back and appealing that I kept on turning the pages. When the time came for me to return the book, I wasn't done so I purchased it. The history is fascinating and rich in detail as to why New Orleans is decidedly Caribbean in its history and culture. I never knew how much the Spanish had influenced the creation of New Orleans. I really enjoyed the intricate history of how the French, Haitians, Cubans and Americans also came into play. My only complaint is that there was so little mention of the Native American's influence that I am unsure if that is because they had no real influence or if they were just overlooked.

I hope the publisher comes out with a digital edition of this book. I would love to have it on my Kindle. Like Charles C. Mann's 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, it is the sort of book I would like to have handy to consult or re-read sections of.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars interesting read!, March 29, 2008
I read in bed so I tend to fall asleep after a few pages of a typical book. This book was the exception. Great information on the countries of origin of the different slaves and how they impacted the culture and music of the deep south. I finally understand the influence of the French, Spanish and British on early America. Loved it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Showcases best and worst of New Orleans
I had to read this book for a class on New Orleans and it was fabulous. It got off to a slow start but by the third chapter i was hooked. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A. Herrera

5.0 out of 5 stars Louisiana Revealed
I highly recommend this book to all people from Louisiana and all people who have the slightest interest in that wonderful land. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D. Lee

4.0 out of 5 stars First-rate local history
Louisiana natives have always known there are two independent aspects to their state: New Orleans and everyplace else. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Michael K. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Allowed me to Understand New Orleans in a New Way
This book, as previously noted, is a complex, detailed and enthralling (for history buffs) book that ties together many different historical threads that make up one part of the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by V. Tyler

5.0 out of 5 stars Best History of New Orleans Available
There aren't many good histories of New Orleans available and this is one of the best and most comprehensive (as far as how much of that history it covers... Read more
Published 9 months ago by R. Grimaldi

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Sublette has done an amazing job pulling together political, cultural and social elements into a very compelling narrative. And super-informative too. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Beth Lapides

3.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating book but....
as enlightening as it is it has a couple of major problems. It just peters out at the end as if the author lost focus and couldn't figure out what to do about it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Charles Wilder

4.0 out of 5 stars World That Made New Orleans
Ned Sublette, author of Cuba and Its Music, embarks on a daring undertaking in a detailed and complete history of the Big Easy. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Alex Telander

5.0 out of 5 stars A dizzying tour de force
Ned Sublette is one of the brightest minds alive today. His fusion of historical detail, cultural development and human insight is a wonder to behold. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mark Twain Jr.

4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed review
My experience reading this book was a love/hate relationship. Some chapters are fascinating and made me want to keep reading, while others were too dry and made it tempting to not... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Karin Norgard

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