In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History by Mitch LandrieuMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
As mayor of New Orleans, Mr. Landrieu faced the post Katrina challenges of uplifting a culturally diverse community into the 21st century. The book explores how the shackles of racism, history, and culture can hold back the great potential of a multicultural society. There is a very interesting historical analysis of the "Lost Cause" and its reverence with the use of statues and symbols that were created to augment the power of Jim Crow. He also discusses the many challenges that mayors of large cities face: economic development, homicide, prison reform, etc. The book imparts his political philosophy and has some parallels to "The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama. One can consider this book his political introduction for a national presence for the Democratic party nomination for President. The book is a worthy read to understand the dynamics of race, history, and politics.
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