Review: "Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and The Battle for Modern New Orleans" by Gary

I was lucky enough to receive this book from my friends at Read it Forward and I’m really appreciative of the opportunity to read and review. It is a fascinating, raucous romp through the history of the Big Easy from 1890 to about 1930!! New Orleans has a fascinating, infamous past and this book covers it all. From the violence orchestrated by organized crime against the chief of police , the birth of what would became known as jazz and the establishment of Storyville, the Reformers attempt to limit prostitution, gambling and alcohol, this book covers it all with an unsolved murder mystery thrown in.

The author does a superb job of bringing all the elements together in a logical sequential order. The story is easy to read and follow. There are enough details to understand what is going on but you are not buried in confusing facts. All the components are bound together in an interesting narrative that keeps you turning pages.

Even if you only have a passing curiosity in the history of New Orleans, pick this book up, you won’t be disappointed. Although this is non-fiction, it reads like a novel and you won’t want to put it down. Today, New Orleans is a city like no other and this book is as unique as the town.