Overview
Southern Comfort details the magnificent architecture and planning of the Garden District of New Orleans. Through the histories of the developers, owners, architects, laborers, and craftspeople who shaped this district, the book creates a picture of the uniquely cosmopolitan city in the American South."This book is a valuable contribution to Southern history and to the history of both American architecture and American cities....Southern Comfort is a landmark piece of scholarship on the area." Anne Rice, New York Times Book Review
"There's no part of New Orleans so steeped in architectural history as the Garden District. Southern Comfort: The Garden District of New Orleans tells the story in words and rich photos." Hemispheres
Synopsis
Much like New Orleans itself, this book is a blend of architecture and history in the first large study of the historic Garden District suburb, and spans from the early to late nineteenth century. Starr discusses the architecture and culture of the area and people relating to the Americanization of New Orleans, patrons, antebellum style, specific architects and builders, slaves and servants, the area's "culture of comfort," the Civil War, and after the war. A chapter is devoted to magnate and patron James Robb. Interspersed are many color photographs of houses and landmarks by Robert S. Brantley and Jan White Brantley. Starr, a historian, is the author of other books on New Orleans. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR