Spiess to discuss 'Beautiful Crescent' history book

Editor Kathy Chappetta Spiess will discuss "Beautiful Crescent, A History of New Orleans," a book that's now in its ninth edition, at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. Originally written by Joan B. Garvey and Mary Lou Widmer, this book is regarded as a primary text for tourists, locals, teachers and students. Complete with a new forward by Barbara Robichaux, a professional French Quarter tour guide, this history directs the reader through the diverse traditions and cultures of New Orleans. The updates in this tricentennial edition celebrate the 300-year history of New Orleans, with chapters including details of the city’s founding, changing European rule, slavery, and more. It contains a list of notable figures and events.

Spiess is a short story, poetry, and corporate literature writer. Spiess has served as a judge for the annual Dixie Kane Memorial writing contest, mentoring several fledgling writers in the process. Spiess and her sister, Karen, previously co-owned the Tale of Two Sisters bookstores. Chappetta designs quilts for her business, Creative Quilt Designs.

The book was originally written by Joan B. Garvey and Mary Lou Widmer. Garvey was a New Orleans public school teacher and administrator. She also taught New Orleans History and Tour Guiding at the University of New Orleans. She has been a guide for Smithsonian Southern Tours and co-authored "Louisiana: The First 300 Years." Widmer, a New Orleanian, is a member of the Louisiana Colonials and the Daughters of 1812. A graduate of Loyola University, she has written several books with Pelican, including "New Orleans in the Twenties," "New Orleans in the Thirties," "New Orleans in the Forties," "New Orleans in the Fifties," "New Orleans in the Sixties" and "Margaret, Friend of Orphans" and co-authored "Louisiana: The First 300 Years."

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.