This pictorial guide covers more than forty New Orleans monuments. From the statue of Joan of Arc that stands in the French Quarter to the bronze bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the corner of Claiborne Avenue and Felicity Street, entries flow in chronological order, based on each figure's birthday.

The overviews include a biographical sketch of the historical figure, a description of the monument, and a reminder of its significance. The book includes such well known dignitaries as Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and John James Audubon, along with more obscure individuals like Albert Weiblen, the German sculptor whose granite and marble company provided materials for many statues in the city.

Though a few of the monuments exist in the private collections of museums, others can be found by simply taking a leisurely stroll through the French Quarter. Each work of art underscores New Orleans's rich heritage and serves as a reminder that its citizens can transcend any challenge.

Gordon Parks: No Excuses is the award-winning biography of the acclaimed photographer by Ann Parr.
 
A Carter G. Woodson Honor Book
A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
Recipient of the Storytelling World Award Honor Title
 
Gordon Parks overcame the obstacles of poverty and racism and never gave up on his dreams. He attributes his drive for excellence to his mother who told him, “What a white boy can do, you can too—and no excuses.” The first black photographer for Life magazine, Gordon Parks spent over two decades as a professional photographer, and his resume grew to include novelist, musician, artist, and poet.
 
After reading a story about Gordon Parks in a Kansas newspaper, Ann Parr immediately set out to learn more about his life. She first interviewed the mayor of Fort Scott, Kansas, whose efforts healed wounds between Gordon Parks and his hometown, and then many of Parks’ friends. But it was after interviewing Parks in person that she knew she had a success story that would inspire generations.
 
Featuring forty-one vibrant black and white photographs and illustrations, this book features details of Gordon Parks’ life and his work, and includes his photographs of the poor, stylish Parisian models, and the Civil Rights movement.
 
“Gordon Parks is remarkable: a Renaissance man who has mastered photography, filmmaking, and writing. The story of his life is certainly an incredible one. Transcending voyeurism, Parks’ photographs reveal vulnerabilities of the human experience with grace and compassion. . . . Gordon Parks is an inspiration to us all.” —Booklist