Lawyers of Louisiana

Vestiges of Grandeur: Plantations of Louisiana's River Road

Description

In an evocative sequel to the acclaimed New Orleans: Elegance and Decadence, author and photographer Richard Sexton returns with an in-depth visual journey through the hidden mansions-some inhabited, many now long abandoned-of Louisiana's River Road. Bordering the Mississippi, these antebellum landmarks were once the epitome of gracious living in the Deep South. Over the past century, these grand dwellings have slowly succumbed to time, humidity, and the reclamation of the land: first by nature, then by real-estate developers who built subdivisions, oil refineries, and strip malls where curtains of Spanish moss once swayed from the live oaks. This collection-featuring over 200 haunting color photographs with extensive captions explaining the architectural signi_cance and history of each structure-is a beautiful elegy for a rapidly disappearing landscape and its ghosts.

This book was conceived by Richard Sexton, who is the primary photographer and wrote the text and photo captions. Alex S. MacLean provided the aerial photographs and Eugene Cizek wrote the Introduction.

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-06-22
Summary: "Vestiges of Grandeur: Plantations of Louisiana's River Road"

I bought this book as a gift for my Dad's birthday. He is a Louisiana native but he now lives in Florida. He was thrilled with the book and really enjoyed looking at old familar homes.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-24
Summary: "Haunting book about the South"

This book may bring tears to eyes of those that love the South and the stories about the antebellum and postbellum mansions, houses and people. How tragic that so much was lost and continues to be lost to neglect, disaster and vandals. I good book for the collector.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-08-28
Summary: "Really Captures River Road"

This book really captures what it feels like to drive down River Road and experience a few beautifully restored plantations and those others which are in peril (but still beautiful in a different way). Would reccomend to anyone interested in Louisiana's plantation culture or architecture.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2008-01-08
Summary: "Perfect for a New Orleans native!"

I searched for hours for a coffee table book for a Christmas gift for a close friend who lives in TN but is from New Orleans. She told me she stayed up all night looking at it. When I gave it to her, she pointed out everything from local businesses to personal landmarks. More importantly, the pictures reflected a pre-Katrina city. They captured sites that she remembered but that don't look that way anymore. I would recommend this book for anyone whose heart is in New Orleans.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2007-05-05
Summary: "Amazing Pictoral Tour of River Road"

This is a gorgeous book full of information and amazing photos of some of the most prominent plantations that are on River Road between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Some of the most amazing photos were from plantations that have all but been destroyed. I'd be really interested to see an updated version as some of these homes have been completely transformed since these photos were taken. Most noteably would be Houmas House and Laura which both in this book are nothing like their now restored selves. Regardless, this book is an excellent addition to anyone's plantation library or coffee table!