Why New Orleans Matters, introduction and pages 1-30

The introduction of “Why New Orleans Matters,” a book by Tom Piazza written in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, reveals why the author chose to write about the city at that time.  He begins to describe the events of the disaster, pointing out that because of the levees, the catastrophe was as much man-mad rather than natural, if not more so.  He is writing the book because New Orleans isn’t just any city, but a vibrant cultural center unlike many places on Earth.  The first thirty pages almost come across as a travel brochure on steroids.   Piazza lists many of the city’s restaurants, and explains to the reader just how important food is to the Crescent City, and how it is woven into the fabric of daily life.  New Orleanians value not only the more well-known restaurants in the city, but also the smaller corner restaurants that are so vital to their respective communities.  The beginning of the book has made me really want to visit New Orleans, and so far Piazza is off to a good start in showing “Why New Orleans matters.”