Before the Civil War, southern planters were among the wealthiest people in America. Many plantation owners lived extravagantly and fashioned their surroundings lavishly. Those grand and graceful homes now remain as tributes to the planters and the slaves who helped build these homes. The histories of 34 of Louisianas plantation homes are described here. Arrigo highlights the homes’ architecture and traces their restorations, some of which continue today; his vignettes illustrate some o the unusually details in the homes. He also relates the histories of the homes’ owners and their illustrious and infamous visitors and gives us hints of the home’s curious legends (including some ghost stories!) ". . .carefully written, well produced. . . " -- Academic Library Book Review Used Book in Good Condition