In the first 200 years of New Orleans history, the Crescent City has earned a reputation for sin, temptation, intrigue, lawlessness, ritual-magic, and ghosts. Step back in time to the city's first few crime-stained centuriesfrom 17181918to explore classic tales of mischief, mayhem, and skullduggery. Arranged by topic you will be compelled to find out whether the heart of Dixie truly beats with wicked rhythms. Meet a cast of rascals and ruffians as you relive the era of American piracy and smuggling. Discover legendary sorcery and unspeakable rumors surrounding Voodoo and ghosts. Examine ritual violence, the largest mass-lynching ever on US soil, and a unique red-light district. Remember, though, to have a jazz band or recording handy...or the famed and frightening Axman may get you! Here, the sallow specter of crime tends to stand with one foot in the annals of historical fact, the other in folklore.