Exploring the past, present, and future of New Orleans, this account reveals the historic racial roller coaster that is the Big Easy. Detailing its evolution from a small French colonial outpost surrounded by water and swamp into one of the most unique cities in America, this history traces the rise and fall of the great Creole city over 300 years, from 1718 all the way to 2005 when Hurricane Katrina decimated the city. A true eye-opener, it reveals the behind-the-scenes disparities and ongoing racism in the wake of Katrina. As many questions continue to go unanswered and the rebuilding of New Orleans stagnates, this call to action will encourage readers to stand up and take part.