Overview
Combining the best previously-published articles and essays on a variety of historical topics, Louisiana Legacies provides a compendium of well-written and accessible perspectives on the state's history. The volume covers material ranging from colonial era interactions between Native Americans and the first European settlers to the environmental history of the states southern wetlands, whose ecology is internationally recognized for its stunning natural diversity as much as its extreme vulnerability to the pressures of climate change and human encroachment. The collection reflects the richness of todays historical purview, with tightly focused chapters on a multitude of fascinating subjects. They include analyses of Louisianas tumultuous political history in the modern era, its troubled road towards racial equality, and the fiery debate over racial attitudes. The unique cultural qualities of Louisiana, including its Cajun cuisine and the inimitable jazz tradition of New Orleans, are also areas of focus.
