FOC Member Lecture Series
New Orleans: A Concise History of an Exceptional City

Join Friends of the Cabildo for a virtual evening with Dr. Charles Chamberlain as he discusses his new book Descendants: The Divided Linage of a Louisiana Creole Family (UL-Lafayette Press, 2025). This program is provided free to members of the Friends of the Cabildo. Tickets for non-members are $10 per lecture or $25 for access to all lectures in the yearly series. The program will take place virtually on Zoom. Please register and/or purchase tickets for the lecture at the Friends of the Cabildo website.

About the Book
Intended for general readers, Charles D. Chamberlain’s New Orleans: A Concise History of an Exceptional City offers a broad, reliable overview of the city’s history. Although many excellent books are available that focus on specific eras in the Crescent City, this book is the first fully inclusive scholarly history that is engaging and easy to follow.

In addition to a general historical narrative, each chapter provides a list of relevant historical sites and a carefully selected recipe to make the city’s history come to life through site visits and culinary pursuits. Chamberlain encourages readers to experience the spirit of New Orleans first-hand by exploring its landscape and interacting with its cuisine.

New Orleans: A Concise History of an Exceptional City is a trusty reference for tour guides and a valuable, interactive resource for general readers interested in the fascinating history of one of America’s most unique cities.

About the Author
Charles Chamberlain is a historian, tour guide, museum professional, and musician. He specializes in the histories, music, and cultures of Louisiana, the United States, Latin America, and the Mediterranean Basin. Chamberlain is the author of Victory at Home: Manpower and Race in the American South During World War II, as well as numerous articles on the history of New Orleans music.