Don’t let the size of this book intimidate you. Full of illustrations, letters, newspaper articles, this easy read is one you won’t want to put down. It even has a Cajun dictionary and authentic recipes from some of New Orleans oldest and most famous restaurants.
René Uzee, the author and Nawlins native, is available for book signings, readings, club events, and speaking engagements.
This epic story begins in 1800s New Orleans, where greed precipitates a struggle for absolute power between two dangerously influential Louisiana adversaries, shipping magnate, Joseph P. Connaway II, and New Orleans Mayor, Olivier M. Devereaux.
The 1853 Yellow Fever epidemic in New Orleans, which was responsible for nearly 9,000 deaths, caused social, political, and economical ramifications that were catastrophic.
In 1855, Mayor Devereaux wrote into law a plan for quarantine at the mouth of the Mississippi River, on the Island of Balize. This devastated the shipping industry, leaving only one means of importing and exporting, and that was via the Louisiana-Texas railroad. However, shipping magnate, and politically connected Joseph P. Connaway II had his own plan for Quarantine. Absolute power was what both of these men thirst for, however, neither could put aside his selfish greed, not to mention political influence, all the while disparaging their fellow citizens.
On September 23rd 1856, an outbreak of Yellow Fever, prompted a Government seizure of the Eustis Beckworth property, near the mouth of the Mississippi River, which was held for 150 years. A cover-up ensued.
In 2006, Carl Beckworth inherits his ancestors property, and plans a family reunion. Just days after the Beckworth reunion, some family members become extremely ill, others escape death.
Following a full investigation at the Beckworth property, Carl files suit against the United States Government. February, 2007, in New Orleans, intense court proceedings begin, revealing: secret meeting, scandals, negligence, murder, and political corruption, then ends with an unexpected twist.
