This fascinating volume footnotes much of Louisiana's history, beginning with vignettes of the early French and Spanish settlers and plantation life through the period of slavery and beyond. Dedicated to owners of Melrose Plantation in Louisiana. Saxon stayed at the plantation while he wrote and accessed its library and attic for a treasure trove of historical documents. This book is not just about Melrose, it covers plantation life at some of the other historic plantations in Louisiana including Belmont, Shadows on the Teche, Asphodel, Rosedown, Greenwood, Oak Alley, Woodlawn on Bayou Kafourche, Belle Allaince, the deserted Belle Grove, and others.

Lyle Saxon was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on September 4, 1891. He was associated with the literary circle in the French Quarter of New Orleans during much of the first half of the twentieth century; he was widely known as a journalist and author of fiction and nonfiction relating primarily to historical Louisiana and New Orleans. His writings often feature racial and ethnic cultural subjects. He worked for newspapers in Chicago and New Orleans, including the Times-Picayune (1918-1926). He was given the O. Henry Memorial Award in 1926 for the short story, "Crane River." He served as the Director of the Federal Writers' Project in Louisiana in the 1930s. Lyle Saxon died on April 9, 1946, in New Orleans.