The World That Made New Orleans

From Spanish Silver to Congo Square

By: Ned Sublette

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Offering a new perspective on the unique cultural influences of New Orleans, this entertaining history captures the soul of the city and reveals its impact on the rest of the nation. Focused on New Orleans' first century of existence, a comprehensive, chronological narrative of the political, cultural, and musical development of Louisiana's early years is presented. This innovative history tracks the important roots of American music back to the swamp town, making clear the effects of centuries-long struggles among France, Spain, and England on the city's unique culture, and the role of the Senegambia, Congo, and Haiti on the making of Afro-Louisiana. The origins of jazz and the city's eclectic musical influences, including the role of the slave trade, are also revealed.

Featuring little known facts about the cultural development of New Orleans - such as the real significance of gumbo, the origins of the tango, and the first appearance of the words vaudeville and voodoo - this rich historical narrative explains how New Orleans' colonial influences shape the city still today.

©2008 Ned Sublette (P)2017 Tantor

A real treat for this history nerd

A sweeping story that begins in the age Colonialism, rife with details of the trans-Atlantic and domestic slave trades that were left out of my public school education.
I picked up this book to feed my thirst for knowledge of New Orleans and my obsession with all things history; I was gifted with a new appreciation for the city and how it clearly developed on a different timeline, and through more diverse people, than the rest of the American South.
Spanish and French rule afforded the black community of New Orleans less brutality and a modicum of freedom not available in the rest of the slave holding South, and shaped the culture, music, and traditions of NOLA. The New Orleans of today feels palpably different than the rest of Louisiana, and showcases architecture, music, and art unique to itself. Mr. Sublette has done a brilliant job of explaining why.

Bonus: the narrator's smooth voice and (I assume) proper French and Spanish pronunciation made listening a pleasure.

*Not for small ears:
The debauchery and party atmosphere of New Orleans is a tradition carried over from 18th century French Colonialism... no stone is left unturned in the author's exploration.

To understand what made New Orleans...

...it is necessary to understand the world climate while New Orleans was being born. You’re listening because you’re interested in the history of the city but the story takes you to other places in the world: Cuba, Santo Domingo &, of course, France, Spain & England. Those sections may lose some listeners but there is much to learn from Sublette & Crisden narrates it perfectly.

Say Cuba one more time and I’m going to scream

The story itself could be amazing, but if I wanted a lesson on musical history I’d of bought a book specifically for that purpose. If this author mentions Cuba one more time, I’m going to scream.
The narrator is perfect, and he gets 5 stars, but bro...the story is all over the place.

It was a great book preparing my trip to New Orleans.

I read this book in preparation to my trip to New Orleans to help me understand the rich history of an incredible place. I highly recommend it.

Strong theme of slavery /slave experience

Not really the comprehensive history I was hoping for. Early history was best. Quite a bit of time spent on Haiti me other islands that contributed culture in NOLA. After the start of chapter 18 it became a slavery and music book.

Not really very interesting to prepare for my planned travel to the area. I'll look for another book to prepare me for the visit.

Love this book so much!

So much detailed history. Have listened to it at least 4 times. Highly recommend. great narrator and a great story to listen too. you really don’t realize that NOLA was literally a whole other country.

Wonderful!

A very rich and detailed history about a city that I love. Most of these details I did not know, and am wealthier now for knowing. The narration was just perfect, such a beautiful voice, and so wonderful a pace it really lent itself to the depth of the content. Strong recommendation for anyone who loves history, and especially on anyone who loves New Orleans!

Very interesting history, a bit biased but good nonetheless

The performance of the reader was outstanding. The reader was well understood and I had an a substantial amount of flair to the dialogue. The The author did make his comments about current political or recent history which were definitely one-sided in from time to time misconstrued. I’m not sure Republicans planned hurricane Katrina I think mother nature did that on her own. There was a good amount of back history of other countries that was explained very thoroughly. And it was interesting to see how the rest of the world did impact the growth of New Orleans. New Orleans is a very unique city and the author gave great examples of how the city was fashioned by world events During the centuries of colonization, slavery and early growth of the United States. It was very enjoyable

Must Read/Listen Book

A book every Louisianian & New Orleanian should read. insightful and provocative knowledge is powerful

A love letter as much as a history book.

Over text recent years I've fallen in love with the City that is New Orleans. Wanting to dive deeper into the culture and understand more of the recent trials that have faced the robust locals I started listening to this book.

I am an outsider, that's ok. This book helps wipe out outsider ignorance of every corner of the city's beating heart of "why"

Discussing music tied in carefully to the city's black culture, which is tied closely to the city's foundation of slavery.

I felt this book was not shy, or embarrassed to talk about the real reason New Orleans came into existence, or how much it's derived from it's origins.

Politically charged when it comes to the failure of the US government and citizens after Katrina the book doesn't beat you over the head.

From France, to Spain, to France to the United States of America, the Slave Trade, the Carribean, and the birth of modern music.

I enjoyed every page.