"Set in the turbulent times of the American twentieth century, Dubus describes the years of 1933-1945 from the viewpoint of a girl growing up in southwest Louisiana, a unique region of manners, mores, daily lives, frequent celebrations, and diverse food of both the French and Cajun settlers. The recipes from the author's family and friends are lagniappe to be enjoyed again and again. Dubus describes a childhood filled with relatives ranging from eccentric Aunt Gabe to a no-nonsense Scottish grandmother, all of whom considered education and the character to use it the most important gifts adults could give to children. Sprinkled among the lessons are stories of adventures with neighborhood children, adolescent growing pains, teen escapades, glimpses into her Catholic education, ice cream socials, and picnics, all under the watchful and amused eyes of a close knit community"--

As the title suggests, this is a memoir of antebellum days in New Orleans, although the author does recall incidences after the war of her days in Cuba. This is purely a memoir, not a commentary for social justice. It is profitable reading for anyone who enjoys a picture of life in the 19th century. Mrs. Ripley goes into great detail about dress, making this a good primary source for those who participate in living history events. Although this book is widely available and have been reprinted quite a few times; this edition is unique in that it has detailed annotations which make understanding of things of which the author writes much easier and more interesting. These do not obtrude with the flow of the reading of the original wording, which has been left intact.

In her moving memoir, Rumpf re-creates her experiences growing up in New Orleans in the 1940s and '50s, her struggles for identity, why she left New Orleans, and her need to reclaim her past after the floods of Hurricane Katrina.

Far more vivid than the twilight of the days in which I dwell, there rises before my inner eye the vision, aglow in Southern sunshine, of the days that are gone, never to return, but which formed the early chapters of a life that has been lived, that can never be lived again. Many of the following stories are oft-told tales at my fireside—others were written to record phases of the patriarchal existence before the war which has so utterly passed away. They have been printed from time to time in the pages of the New Orleans Times-Democrat, the editor of which has very kindly consented to their publication in this form.

"Social Life in Old New Orleans: Being Recollections of My Girlhood" by Eliza Ripley is a memoir that provides a vivid portrayal of life in New Orleans during the 19th century. Eliza Ripley, a prominent figure in New Orleans society, recounts her experiences and observations of the city's social life, customs, and culture. The book offers a personal and historical perspective on New Orleans, highlighting the unique aspects of its society, from its distinctive traditions to its influential social circles. Ripley's recollections provide valuable insights into the everyday lives of people in Old New Orleans, including the city's charm, elegance, and social dynamics. "Social Life in Old New Orleans" is a valuable resource for those interested in the history of New Orleans and the cultural heritage of the region, offering a firsthand account of its social milieu and historical context.

Excerpt from Social Life in Old New Orleans: Being Recollections of My Girlhood Far more vivid than the twilight of the days in which I dwell, there rises before my inner eye the vision, aglow in Southern sunshine, of the days that are gone, never to return, but which formed the early chapters of a life that has been lived, that can never be lived again. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

"Memoirs of a 1000-Year-Old-Woman" is a vivid retelling of a girlhood spent in the turmoil of the Third Reich. Written in an unaffected, straightforward style, it should appeal both to a popular readership and to scholars interested in the daily texture and minutiae of the period, particularly in regard to women and girls. It differs from many recollections of the Nazi regime in that it is told by someone who bore no responsibility for the horrors of the Final Solution and thus has no defensive agenda. The book covers the years from the author's earliest memories to the end of the war, arranged chronologically. It combines anecdote and recollection with quotations from contemporary news sources, song lyrics, and other supplementary material as well as photos. Through the chapters the reader is brought step by step from a girlhood troubled only by the sorts of personal upheavals suffered in every life, through the gathering tension and little-understood adult preoccupations with the growing threat of war, to the young woman whose life seems to have lasted 1000 years within the compass of the "1000 Year Reich" itself.