Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans

Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans - Gary Krist I won a copy of this through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. Thank you LT ER and thank you Crown Publishing!

I really enjoyed this book and have to admit to getting upset with the hubs when he would talk instead of letting me finish the book. One of those great books that you want to take the day off of work, put some early jazz on Pandora, and read.

This book cover New Orleans history from 1890-1920. In thirty years you would have one potential serial killer and potential Mafia, rise and destruction of the vice district called Storyville, and the birth of jazz. It was a very busy 30 years.

In addition, you saw racial segregation go from being fairly open with the octoroon balls and Storyville's colored girls to New Orleans falling in line with the rest of the south.

For as much history and events that happened in 30 years, the book doesn't feel heavy, staid, or dry. New Orleans is brought to life and I just wonder if we could see the way Storyville as the way it was-would it be that bad to modern eyes?

Loved this book and am looking forward to picking up more by this author. If you want to know more about New Orleans history, Storyville, of the birth of jazz this is a great introduction.