New Orleans Rum: A Decadent History

by Mikko Macchione, Chris Rose Pulitzer Prize winner and author of "One Dead in the Attic" (Foreword)

Mix yourself a Hurricane and see New Orleans through a glass of rum.
Like a drunken Mardi Gras parade, the history of New Orleans lurches from electrifying highs to heart-rending lows. Through it all, good drink was a constant - especially rum. The victory at the Battle of New Orleans was sealed with a barrel of rum, and a half-hearted implementation of Prohibition a century later certainly didn't dampen the city's spirits. From priests making tafia to modern delights like Old New Orleans and Bayou, rum has always been an integral part of the funky, sultry, crazy story of the Crescent City. Longtime historian and writer Mikko Macchione presents a witty and informative history of the city and its love affair with the sweetest of liquors.

128 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2019

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not really a thorough history of rum in New Orleans, but rather an overview of the city's history and culture and how rum has weaved through it, whether it is Andrew Jackson's men drinking rum before the British attacked or Voodoo adherents using it in their rituals. Two things impressed me most. First, the book is pretty accurate and hilarious. Macchione really should write more books like this as it will draw more people in while giving old hands like myself a good chuckle. In addition, he offers some perceptive and fair assessments of history, whether that be why Napoleon sold Louisiana or how Marie Laveau has been used and abused by people over the years looking to prove a point.

All in all, New Orleans Rum might be a bit misnamed, but for a book of its type it is peerless.

[Sgreen24juno.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides insight into a part of New Orleans' history that many visitors may not know much about, even thought it covers more than just the history of rum in New Orleans. Author Mikko Macchione's passion about the history of this fascinating city shows in his writing. He's also a tour guide at the cemetery just outside the French Quarter; his enthusiasm for New Orleans history makes him a memorable tour guide. I especially enjoyed this book because it contains a fair bit of the information I heard on his tour. Reading this book after my New Orleans trip helped me remember what I learned on the tour. Mikko's writing is also sprinkled with his enjoyable sense of humor. "New Orleans Rum: A Decadent History" would make a nice gift for someone who is traveling to - or has recently traveled to - New Orleans.