In the autumn of 1873, one of the worst yellow fever epidemics in U.S. history swept through Shreveport. As the deadly scourge claimed a quarter of the town's population, the dedicated efforts of five missionary priests offered a call to hope, even as they laid down their own lives in the struggle. True martyrdom is vanishingly rare, extolled as the highest possible sacrifice, yet Shreveport bore abundant witness through these five saintly priests. Their heroism in the midst of this tragic...

Stories of ghosts and strange happenings at these historic Southern homes—with photos included.Louisiana plantations evoke images of grandeur and elegance, but beyond the facade of stately homes are stories of hope and subjugation, tragedy and suffering, shame and perseverance and war and conquest.After sixteen workers axed most of the Houmas House's ancient oak trees, referred to as "the Gentlemen," eight of the surviving trees eerily twisted overnight in ...

In the Spring of 1864, Adam Pierce is a Louisiana creole of color passing for white. His home, Natchitoches Parish and the Red River Valley, is being destroyed as the closing days of the Civil War bring destruction. Pierce, a depressed castoff of campaigns long past, enlists once again. The war gives Adam a sense of purpose, but what he isn’t prepared for are the revelations that await him.A reclusive widower, Adam learns through a deathbed confession what really happened to his lo...

Executive jets and yachts are the quintessential tableau of today's tycoons. A century or more ago it was Pullman Palace Cars and yachts. The Palace Cars were ornate, featured extravagant pomp, from crystal chandeliers and marble baths to sumptuous bedrooms, libraries and living rooms walled in mahogany, with servant quarters nearby. The man who made this possible, George Pullman, catered to the wealthy, provided unique cars built to individual tastes and standards, but also gave ordinar...

This edition in the Historical Cities series explores the French Quarter and surrounding area of New Orleans. Simple to use maps provide make a walking tour of the city's historic sites entertaining and educational. GPS coordinates are provided for the more tech savvy user. More than 50 sites are identified, with text backgrounds based on the 1930's and 40's American Guide Series.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Step back in time to the creation of America’s founding document with this fascinating history for young readers, part of the beloved What Was? series. The perfect way to celebrate the U.S.A.’s 250th anniversary!On a hot summer day near Philadelphia in 1776, Thomas Jefferson sat at his desk and wrote furiously well into the night. He was drafting the Declaration of Independence, a document that would sever ties with Britain and ...

A close-up look at this historic Massachusetts landmark, including photos and illustrations.Though Salem is located on Massachusetts's scenic North Shore, its history has not always been picturesque. The "Witch City," as it is internationally known, is home to numerous landmarks dedicated to the notorious trials of 1692.Of these, the Witch House is perhaps most significant—the former residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin, whose court ordered the execution of t...

This account of the first president's trip to unite a young America "follows Washington's travels day-by-day with detailed information about each stop" ( Daily Herald).Newly elected president George Washington set out to visit the new nation aware that he was the singular unifying figure in America. The journey's finale was the Southern Tour, begun in March 1791. The long and arduous trek from the capital, Philadelphia, passed through seven states and the ...

Yes, they make rather an odd couple-but, truly, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and Fiske Kimball (1888-1955) are the Johnson and Boswell of the story of American architecture. If not for Dr. Fiske Kimball, we might never have known that Thomas Jefferson was an architect. Though he was hailed as a brilliant statesman, Jefferson was all but unknown as an artist and an architect for nearly a century. But Kimball, an industrious scholar with a keen eye, made a series of critical discoveries that...

Louisiana, the Bayou State, is famous for many things, including savory cuisine, great music, and a resident population whose mantra is laissez les bons temps roulerlet the good times roll! The place is also noted for its historic architecture, which ranges from simple forms such as the shotgun house or the Creole cottage to the celebrated plantation homes along the River Road.Bayou Built: The Legacy of Louisianas Historic Architecture examines th...

A leading expert on the past, present, and future of public monuments in America.An urgent and fractious national debate over public monuments has erupted in America. Some people risk imprisonment to tear down long-ignored hunks of marble; others form armed patrols to defend them. Why do we care so much about statues? Which ones should stay up and which should come down? Who should make these decisions, and how?Erin L. Thompson, the country’s leading expert...

Tour Thomas Jefferson's Virginia, from Monticello to the Blue Ridge Mountains and beyond, with a guide that "mixes historical background with how-tos" ( Daily Press).Few prominent Americans are as associated with a place as Thomas Jefferson is with Virginia. The heart of "Jefferson Country" is his house and plantation at Monticello, but Jefferson traveled the breadth of his home state, from his time at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg to the...