Book Review: Story Behind The Stone by Robert Jeanfreau

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Up today we have a great 'history' book about the many monuments and statues, in the city of New Orleans, and it's surrounding areas. 
Perfect for the Mom who loves history and New Orleans!

Story Behind The Stone cover

Synopsis: This pictorial guide covers more than forty New Orleans monuments. From the statue of Joan of Arc that stands in the French Quarter to the bronze bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the corner of Claiborne Avenue and Felicity Street, entries flow in chronological order, based on each figure’s birthday.

The overviews include a biographical sketch of the historical figure, a description of the monument, and a reminder of its significance. The book includes such well known dignitaries as Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and John James Audubon, along with more obscure individuals like Albert Weiblen, the German sculptor whose granite and marble company provided materials for many statues in the city.

Though a few of the monuments exist in the private collections of museums, others can be found by simply taking a leisurely stroll through the French Quarter. Each work of art underscores New Orleans’s rich heritage and serves as a reminder that its citizens can transcend any challenge.

Review: This is a very interesting book, and one that really brings the history of New Orleans to light, in an unique way. jeanfreau gives you the history behind a statue, or work of art, and about the person who created it. The book is organized in a chronological order, which really helps show how NOLA changed, as it changed hands.

Some interesting tidbits:

  • the statue of Joan of Arc at Place de France Decatur St, was sent to the city of New Orleans in 1958 by France, in honor of the Maid of Orleans
  • the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of New Orleans, comes from the House of Bourbon French flag that Bienville brought with him as he founded the city in 1718
  • GT Beauregard had a granite grave constructed in Metairie Cemetary to inter his wife, who had died giving birth to their second daughter. Upon it's completion, his first daughter died, and was interred into the tomb with her mother. Yet, when he dies, he was buried in the tomb of the Army of Tennessee, in the same cemetary But the statue of him astride his horse sits at the end of Esplanade Ave, at the entrance to City Park.
  • the only French Impressionist to visit America was Edward Degas, and he came to New Orleans! He came in 1872, and was then a struggling, unknown artist! In fact, his mother and her three siblings, grew up in New Orleans. 
  • the first Charity Hospital in NOLA was on Rampart Street, and was funded by a donation by a French sailor, Jean Louis.
  • there are 2 duplicates of the Molly Marine statue (which sits at Elk Place and Canal Street)- one at Quantico and the other at Parris Island. One of the models for the statue became the sculptor's third wife.

As you can see, there is much to be learned! It also provides you a different sort of travel itinerary- to go see the statues, and the history behind them!

About the Author
Dr. Robert Jeanfreau practices internal medicine. Before attending LSU Medical School in New Orleans, he earned a BA from Loyola University. Jeanfreau’s concept for Story Behind the Stone was conceived when he drove by a statue on Esplanade Avenue, dedicated to Charles Gayarre. Eager to learn more, Jeanfreau began the research that eventually led to a book. He is a member of the Louisiana Historical Society and lives in Metairie, Louisiana.




Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book for review purposes, free of charge, from pelican Publishing! No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. 

Comments

  1. For readers in the New Orleans area, author Robert Jeanfreau will sign copies of The Story Behind the Stone this Saturday, May 12th, from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in Metairie (3721 Veterans Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002). Learn more about the rich history behind our city’s remarkable statues!

    Happy reading!
    Pelican Publishing

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