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We're Still Here Ya Bastards: How the People of New Orleans Rebuilt Their City
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is one of the darkest chapters in American history. The storm caused unprecedented destruction, and a toxic combination of government neglect and socioeconomic inequality turned a crisis into a tragedy. But among the rubble, there is hope.
We're Still Here Ya Bastards presents an extraordinary panoramic look at New Orleans's revival in the years following the hurricane. Award-winning journalist Roberta Brandes Gratz shares the stories of people who returned to their homes and have taken the rebuilding of their city into their own hands. She shows how the city—from the Lower Ninth Ward to the storied French Quarter to Bayou Bienvenue—is recovering despite flawed governmental policies that promote disaster capitalism rather than the public good. While tracing positive trends, Gratz also investigates the most fiercely debated issues and challenges facing the city: a violent and corrupt prison system, the tragic closing of Charity Hospital, the future of public education, and the rise of gentrification.
By telling stories that are often ignored by the mainstream media, We're Still Here Ya Bastards shows the strength and resilience of a community that continues to work to rebuild New Orleans, and reveals what Katrina couldn't destroy: the vibrant culture, epic history, and unwavering pride of one of the greatest cities in America.
We're Still Here Ya Bastards presents an extraordinary panoramic look at New Orleans's revival in the years following the hurricane. Award-winning journalist Roberta Brandes Gratz shares the stories of people who returned to their homes and have taken the rebuilding of their city into their own hands. She shows how the city—from the Lower Ninth Ward to the storied French Quarter to Bayou Bienvenue—is recovering despite flawed governmental policies that promote disaster capitalism rather than the public good. While tracing positive trends, Gratz also investigates the most fiercely debated issues and challenges facing the city: a violent and corrupt prison system, the tragic closing of Charity Hospital, the future of public education, and the rise of gentrification.
By telling stories that are often ignored by the mainstream media, We're Still Here Ya Bastards shows the strength and resilience of a community that continues to work to rebuild New Orleans, and reveals what Katrina couldn't destroy: the vibrant culture, epic history, and unwavering pride of one of the greatest cities in America.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
432 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2015
15 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 24, 2015
We're Still Here Ya Bastards!
The name of this book says it all! This is a very well written and researched book. I learned many things about my city that I didn't know although I did know most of it just not the whole story. What a great book. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.
The name of this book says it all! This is a very well written and researched book. I learned many things about my city that I didn't know although I did know most of it just not the whole story. What a great book. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.
September 9, 2015
Someone once told me there are five American cities that have such unique culture and flavor that they must be visited. New Orleans was in that top five. The other four? According to this friend, they are New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco. To think that after Hurricane Katrina there were officials who questioned whether New Orleans was worth rebuilding. I am very glad they were overruled.
As the author says, "The French Quarter with its mix of French and Spanish influences (mostly Spanish because a massive fire in 1794 destroyed much that the French had built), the wrought-iron balconies and ornate cornices, the densely filled shotgun and double-galleried neighborhoods with their endless variety of Greek Revival, Italianate, and Creole cottages—all of this architectural diversity gives credence to the common observation that New Orleans is the only European or Caribbean city in the United States."
I was recently in New Orleans and spent a lot of time in the Broadmoor neighborhood. All over there are signs, "Broadmoor better than before." Given that this neighborhood was slated to be a draining pool after the storm, and was rebuilt on the energy and sweat equity of residents and volunteers, it is satisfying to see the Broadmoor story featured in this book. It took 10 years, but the neighborhood now has a school, a rebuilt library, and a community center. With a nod to whimsy, they renamed the coffeeshop the Green Dot Cafe. The Lower Ninth Ward, and other neighborhoods, have not been so fortunate. They have other stories that are well told here.
My friend, Rev. Hal Roark is quoted in this book. He, and his wife Lori, are two of the many activists that brought New Orleans back.
The author is a journalist with much experience covering city planning and urban issues. I appreciated her thorough coverage of the storm, the levees, and the long road back for New Orleans. She carefully and compassionatley tells the stories of the people who survived the storm and the sad economic inequities that remain.
"Algiers did not flood during Katrina but nevertheless gained a beautiful new library and a new school through the efforts of former city councilwoman Jackie Clarkson. The Lower Nine didn’t get a high school until 2014."
One quote says it all: “FEMA—Fix Everything My Ass.”
We are at the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This book is well worth reading. Parts are gripping and fascinating. The author also provides much history of this beautiful city.
As the author says, "The French Quarter with its mix of French and Spanish influences (mostly Spanish because a massive fire in 1794 destroyed much that the French had built), the wrought-iron balconies and ornate cornices, the densely filled shotgun and double-galleried neighborhoods with their endless variety of Greek Revival, Italianate, and Creole cottages—all of this architectural diversity gives credence to the common observation that New Orleans is the only European or Caribbean city in the United States."
I was recently in New Orleans and spent a lot of time in the Broadmoor neighborhood. All over there are signs, "Broadmoor better than before." Given that this neighborhood was slated to be a draining pool after the storm, and was rebuilt on the energy and sweat equity of residents and volunteers, it is satisfying to see the Broadmoor story featured in this book. It took 10 years, but the neighborhood now has a school, a rebuilt library, and a community center. With a nod to whimsy, they renamed the coffeeshop the Green Dot Cafe. The Lower Ninth Ward, and other neighborhoods, have not been so fortunate. They have other stories that are well told here.
My friend, Rev. Hal Roark is quoted in this book. He, and his wife Lori, are two of the many activists that brought New Orleans back.
The author is a journalist with much experience covering city planning and urban issues. I appreciated her thorough coverage of the storm, the levees, and the long road back for New Orleans. She carefully and compassionatley tells the stories of the people who survived the storm and the sad economic inequities that remain.
"Algiers did not flood during Katrina but nevertheless gained a beautiful new library and a new school through the efforts of former city councilwoman Jackie Clarkson. The Lower Nine didn’t get a high school until 2014."
One quote says it all: “FEMA—Fix Everything My Ass.”
We are at the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This book is well worth reading. Parts are gripping and fascinating. The author also provides much history of this beautiful city.
August 31, 2015
I was in New Orleans late '06, little over a year after Katrina, in a BnB on the edge of the Vieux Carré (an old cathouse at Esplanade and N Rampart).
There was this late breakfast at Café du Monde with my son, the only tourists; thinking that what was, won't be again, feeling the despair and the anger.
Remember Goodman/Bernette in Tremé? That summed up the atmosphere.
We bought some woodcraft in a shop and the owner gave us a Tshirt, black with the words "Fema, the other 4-letter word".
Well, she's back, folks, the World Capital of Jazz is back!!!
She's turned all that anger into energy and hope and rebirth. And Nawlins became Nola.
Read this book, ya bastards, and let's all go celebrate.
Meantime I just downloaded DeeDee's Feathers, the perfect soundtrack for the book, and the trip.
There was this late breakfast at Café du Monde with my son, the only tourists; thinking that what was, won't be again, feeling the despair and the anger.
Remember Goodman/Bernette in Tremé? That summed up the atmosphere.
We bought some woodcraft in a shop and the owner gave us a Tshirt, black with the words "Fema, the other 4-letter word".
Well, she's back, folks, the World Capital of Jazz is back!!!
She's turned all that anger into energy and hope and rebirth. And Nawlins became Nola.
Read this book, ya bastards, and let's all go celebrate.
Meantime I just downloaded DeeDee's Feathers, the perfect soundtrack for the book, and the trip.
October 11, 2015
I loved some of the chapters in this book, and found them full of great info and things I had never heard before. Some of the chapters, though, went too deep into the topic and kind of repeated themselves. I skimmed through those chapters, they were too long and drawn out.
The author also gave out an angry vibe, and criticized basically every organization, politician, etc. involved in Katrina and the rebuilding of the city afterwards. It's fine to point out where they went wrong, but the author didn't provide any ideas as to what they SHOULD have done, so it just sounded like complaining. It got old after a few chapters of this.
The author also gave out an angry vibe, and criticized basically every organization, politician, etc. involved in Katrina and the rebuilding of the city afterwards. It's fine to point out where they went wrong, but the author didn't provide any ideas as to what they SHOULD have done, so it just sounded like complaining. It got old after a few chapters of this.
September 27, 2017
The title made me think this book would be "easy reading" or more opinion based. I'm glad it wasn't. It was very well researched. Dense. Fascinating. Infuriating. I've read a fair amount about Katrina and New Orleans, but this filled in so many holes. The amount of corruption and illogical, inefficient policies is ridiculous. It's disheartening - how little money actually made it into the city, how government policies aren't productive, how a major hospital (one of the best in the country) was ready to go within a week and wasn't allowed to reopen because LSU wanted a shiny, new hospital. It's dumb. (And I could rant all night.) But the book was really interesting, and eye opening.
October 13, 2023
Title: Disappointing Account of New Orleans’ Rebuilding Efforts
Rating: ⭐
“We’re Still Here, Ya Bastards: How the People of New Orleans Rebuilt Their City” promised to be a compelling and inspiring account of the resilience and determination of the people of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, it fell far short of my expectations.
First and foremost, the book’s organization and structure were confusing and disjointed. The narrative jumped back and forth between different time periods and perspectives without clear transitions, making it difficult to follow the chronological progression of events. This lack of coherence made it challenging to grasp the full scope and impact of the rebuilding efforts.
Moreover, the book failed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by the people of New Orleans during the recovery process. It glossed over important issues such as government negligence, systemic inequalities, and the slow response to the disaster. By neglecting to delve into these critical aspects, the book missed an opportunity to shed light on the larger systemic issues that hindered the city’s recovery.
Additionally, the writing style was lackluster and failed to evoke the emotions and experiences of the individuals involved. The author’s prose lacked depth and failed to capture the resilience, pain, and triumphs of the people of New Orleans. The book felt like a missed opportunity to truly honor the stories and struggles of the city’s residents.
Furthermore, the book’s lack of diverse perspectives was disappointing. It predominantly focused on a narrow segment of the population, failing to adequately represent the experiences of marginalized communities and individuals who were disproportionately affected by the hurricane and its aftermath. This limited perspective undermined the book’s credibility and left me feeling disconnected from the full complexity of the rebuilding efforts.
In conclusion, “We’re Still Here, Ya Bastards” was a disappointing read that failed to deliver on its promise of providing a compelling account of New Orleans’ rebuilding efforts. The disjointed structure, lack of critical analysis, uninspiring writing style, and limited perspectives left me feeling disconnected and unsatisfied. I would not recommend this book to those seeking a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the city’s recovery.
Rating: ⭐
“We’re Still Here, Ya Bastards: How the People of New Orleans Rebuilt Their City” promised to be a compelling and inspiring account of the resilience and determination of the people of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, it fell far short of my expectations.
First and foremost, the book’s organization and structure were confusing and disjointed. The narrative jumped back and forth between different time periods and perspectives without clear transitions, making it difficult to follow the chronological progression of events. This lack of coherence made it challenging to grasp the full scope and impact of the rebuilding efforts.
Moreover, the book failed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by the people of New Orleans during the recovery process. It glossed over important issues such as government negligence, systemic inequalities, and the slow response to the disaster. By neglecting to delve into these critical aspects, the book missed an opportunity to shed light on the larger systemic issues that hindered the city’s recovery.
Additionally, the writing style was lackluster and failed to evoke the emotions and experiences of the individuals involved. The author’s prose lacked depth and failed to capture the resilience, pain, and triumphs of the people of New Orleans. The book felt like a missed opportunity to truly honor the stories and struggles of the city’s residents.
Furthermore, the book’s lack of diverse perspectives was disappointing. It predominantly focused on a narrow segment of the population, failing to adequately represent the experiences of marginalized communities and individuals who were disproportionately affected by the hurricane and its aftermath. This limited perspective undermined the book’s credibility and left me feeling disconnected from the full complexity of the rebuilding efforts.
In conclusion, “We’re Still Here, Ya Bastards” was a disappointing read that failed to deliver on its promise of providing a compelling account of New Orleans’ rebuilding efforts. The disjointed structure, lack of critical analysis, uninspiring writing style, and limited perspectives left me feeling disconnected and unsatisfied. I would not recommend this book to those seeking a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the city’s recovery.
February 12, 2017
A good read on how people banded together to help rebuild parts of New Orleans. Also a maddening read to learn of the roadblocks they had to overcome to do it the right way. There's probably no other city that could recover like this...really a remarkable story.
February 24, 2017
A wonderfully researched book that really captures the spirit of New Orleans.
February 26, 2025
loved this
February 16, 2017
Loved the title but the book was tough to dig through. Still, I learned some new things about New Orleans and the strong players who brought the city back after Katrina.
May 31, 2017
What. A. Book. What a story.
Ms. Gratz does a superb job researching and reporting on the disgrace that was hurricane in her book :We're Still Here Ya Bastards: How the People of New Orleans Rebuilt Their City Katrina.
I couldn't put the book down. So much detailed, pertinent information presented in a concise manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Thank you
Rudolf J Waldner
The Corporate Jungle: Animal Personalities Colliding with Job Titles
Marketing from the Trenches: Your Guide to Retail Success
Ms. Gratz does a superb job researching and reporting on the disgrace that was hurricane in her book :We're Still Here Ya Bastards: How the People of New Orleans Rebuilt Their City Katrina.
I couldn't put the book down. So much detailed, pertinent information presented in a concise manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Thank you
Rudolf J Waldner
The Corporate Jungle: Animal Personalities Colliding with Job Titles
Marketing from the Trenches: Your Guide to Retail Success
September 20, 2015
Fascinating look at New Orleans now, it isn't talked about much but it has made a good, if not full, recovery. She definitely did her research but she contradicts herself a few times, saying that something was foiled by politics and the old way of doing things, and then a few chapters later, oh look at how successful they were. Still a good read.
January 2, 2016
Great book for anyone involved in urban planning, anyone involved with Post-Katrina NOLA reconstruction, and anyone concerned about how the wrong things continue to get done in this country. And the right ones get done IN SPITE OF the powers that be.
Covers just about everything, and even a few things I HADn't heard about.
Covers just about everything, and even a few things I HADn't heard about.
September 10, 2015
If you love NOLA the way I do, then read this book. My family lived through Katrina, two of them teachers who lost their livelihood. Hats off to the amazing, unique, and resilient citizens of New Orleans, and shame, shame, shame on every government agency and politician who screwed them over. A truly
amazing story!!
amazing story!!
October 3, 2015
Parts of this book made me so angry I wanted to throw it. I think that might one of the marks of a good book and a good writer, invoking passion for something that is not in your immediate vicinity. The government waste and politics involved in "helping" people is disgusting. It's scary the types of things that were happening and are still happening in New Orleans post Katrina.
November 5, 2015
No one outside of New Orleans has any real idea of what happened there. I'm always learning something new and terrible about the (man-made) disaster and the corruption and outright incompetence that made it worse.
October 3, 2015
Quite the title, taken from real post-Katrina graffiti reflecting the sentiment of residents whose city didn't put out the welcome back mat. And quite the book about the challenges in NOLA since the storm and the will of residents to stay and make better lives.
October 14, 2015
Well the title of this book kind of says it all. Some people are trying to make a big comeback here and I give them a lot of credit.
January 17, 2016
For anyone who loves New Orleans; this book elicits disbelief, hope and rage from chapter to chapter and ultimately exemplifies the grit and spirit of New Orleanians on the ground.
April 7, 2016
Excellently researched and written.
March 18, 2018
Informative and interesting. There are a few things I want to fact check. Overall, great book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews