Why New Orleans Matters
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Product Description
In the aftermath of Katrina and the disaster that followed, promises were made, forgotten, and renewed. Now what will become of New Orleans in the years yet to be? What do this proud, battered city and its people mean to America and the world?
Award-winning leader and longtime New Orleans resident Tom Piazza illuminates the storied culture and uncertain future of this fantastic and neglected American metropolis by evoking the sensuous rapture of the city that gave us jazz composition and Creole cooking; examining its deep undercurrents of corruption, racism, and injustice; and explaining how its people suffer and transcend persons conditions. And, perhaps most vital, he questions us all to consider the spirit of this place and all the things it has shared with the world: its grace and beauty, resilience and soul.
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The title appears to be a ripoff of Pete Hammil’s book, “Why Sinatra Matters”. A more accurate title to this book would be, “Why New Orleans Matters to Me”. Nearly all of the leader’s reasons are subjective. He likes the Mardi Gras Indians, the neighborhood restaurants and composition clubs. So what? What is the objective significance of them? The leader mentions but does not evaluate the objective effects of the high crime rate, welfare dependence and the political corruption. He also dodged the objective fact that before Hurricane Katrina 40% of city residents could not read and write and 50% refused to work. Does New Orleans matter to him because a majority of its residents are stupid and bone idle? The truth is that New Orleans has mattered for one objective reason: its geographical location near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The U.S. cannot effectively compete in the global economy lacking a safe and secure New Orleans. If coastal erosion does not inundate the city, it will continue to matter. But this book will not.
Reader’s Rating: 2 / 5
This book focuses on things that New Orleans people have a sentimental attachment to. Jazz, food, culture… all things that are indefinable and immaterial to anyone who doesn’t live in New Orleans. Why should anyone who isn’t from New Orleans care? That is a recurring question to even fellow Louisianians, and has been since before hurricane Katrina. A prime example is with The New Orleans Saints.
State tax dollars go toward subsidizing this failure of an NFL franchise. New Orleans people typically reflect this is a wonderful thing; people from additional parts of the state typically resent their tax dollars going toward a football team.
There’s lots of history in New Orleans; but what makes the city significant TODAY? As of now, it’s ranked among the most treacherous cities in the U.S. Louisiana people (who don’t live there) regarded it as a “huge sewer” many years before Katrina hit. I am among persons hardened skeptics who took a dim view of New Orleans some ten years before Katrina. And I am one of many people. Mr. Piazza’s perspective is that of a sentimental New Orleanean who likes the city for what is was, rather than for what it’s become: a treacherous, crime-ridden machine of corruption.
With billions of tax dollars at stake, Piazza had better work harder to make the case for “saving” what many people considered lost many years ago.
Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
I had spent 15 minutes writing, then deleted it. Let’s go with this: “Arhg! Whopprhpth! Gagg,,, achrgh!!” Spit. Wipe and gag again.
Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
Extremely disappointing. This is one of the most dull small books ever written. If you are from New Orleans, you already know about local po-boy shops and the Mardi Gras Indians, etc. If you’re not, Piazza doesn’t do a excellent enough job explaining the background of New Orleans customs and cultures. It’s all bread pudding and no reality of Hurricane Katrina. This is such a fleeting small book it shouldn’t even have been published except perhaps in a local magazine. Don’t waste your time.
Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
I was extremely pleased with the buy of the “Why New Orleans Matters” book bought through Amazon. Book arrived quickly and perfectly packaged.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5