John Sledge has a great review of Scott Ellis' Madame Vieux Carré: The French Quarter in the Twentieth Century in yesterday's Mobile Press-Register. In the book, Ellis, a French Quarter resident from 1975 to 1987, presents the social and political history of this famous district as it evolved from 1900 through the beginning of the twenty-first century.
A sample from Sledge's Southern Bound column:
...entertaining and readable overview of this recent history that no lover of the Quarter should be without. Ellis, an independent researcher in Panama City, Fla., is a former Quarter resident, and happily he does not hesitate to enliven his study with personal experiences and observations.
Another great quote from Sledge after the jump.
It’s all here in this splendid book — the sordid politics and corruption, the historic preservation (a major theme), the sexual abandon, the glorious eateries, and even the irritating gutter punks of latter days. “Madam Vieux Carré” is ultimately a moving cri de coeur that this very special neighborhood “must remain a place where people can stake claims of property, curiosity, and passion.” Here’s hoping New Orleans’ new mayor has it at the top of his reading list.Madame Vieux Carré is now available from UPM. Learn more at www.madamevieuxcarre.com
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