"The French Quarter of New Orleans moves beyond the Old World facades and into the hearts and histories of the many peoples - Spanish, French, Creole, Native American, African American, and Italian - who have lived there." "The history of the Quarter teems with vagabonds and saints, with warriors and playwrights, with musicians and politicians. Fraiser animates the fascinating history with such evocative figures as the pirate Jean Lafitte, the conquering general Andrew Jackson, and the voodoo queen Marie Laveau. Riverboat gamblers, ladies of the night, duelists, opera aficionados, plague victims, jazz musicians, charlatans, and Mardi Gras revelers populate the streets and edifices Fraiser describes." "In words and in photographs, Fraiser and Freeman explore the unique evolution of this district and reveal how war, fire, floods, politics, cultural conflict, and architectural innovation shaped the Quarter."--Jacket.