The Turning Angel

The Turning Angel is a monument placed not far from main road that runs by Natchez Cemetery. The monument is written about in my book and has been written about by Greg Iles and is the name of one of his books. The monument was placed there in 1908 by an employer in Natchez who put it there to look over the graves of his employees that had been killed in an explosion.

When I was younger, there had already been a phenomenon attached to the monument, that it turned. This was supposed to occur at night when a light was shined on it or as you passed in a car. It cannot be counted the numerous thousands of times scared teens have tried this out, on a dare or just trying to impress a young girl. You were especially brave if you, God forbid, got out and jumped the wall and went over to touch the Turning Angel.

The Turning Angel is one of many things or places you can explore in my book. After you read my book, book a trip to Natchez. It's a wonderful historic town that's fun for a weekend getaway.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop from the book, Lafitte's Black Box

In my book, Lafitte's Black Box, you'll get to know this famous New Orleans landmark a little better. Once a pirate gets his treasure, if it's not gold or pieces of eight, what does he do with it if he can't bury it. He's got to sell it, right? Much of what Jean Lafitte and his pirates captured from the Spanish ships were durable goods such as fine clothing, china, silverware, furniture, etc. Many of the things the fine citizens of New Orleans wanted and Jean Lafitte could give them a bargain.

Much of the negotiating and business was done by his brother Pierre at thier business front, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. Located in the French Quarter on the corner of Bourbon St. and St Philip St. Built sometimes before 1772, this building still stands and now entertains patrons of a different sort as this is now a popular bar.

Discover Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in my book and if you are ever in New Orleans, stop by and tell them that you read about this place in my book!

Maspero's, a New Orlean's Landmark

The Original Pierre Maspero's, the restaurant in the French Quarter, was once used as a warehouse by Jean Lafitte to auction off his plundered treasure. Thought to be originally erected in 1788, this New Orleans landmark has been part of a rich history of the city. Not only did Jean Lafitte and his brother, Pierre, conduct some of their operation from this building, Andrew Jackson plotted the Battle of New Orleans from here, slaves awaited their fates here as this building was used as an auction house.

Located at Rue St. Louis and Rue Chartres, this busy intersection has seen many New Orlean locals, poets, musicians, politicians gather for lunch or business just as Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte did 200 years ago.

Discover Maspero's in my book, Lafitte's Black Box then go to New Orleans and discover it for yourself!

Buccaneer's

Buccaneer is a French derived word that is now synonomous with pirate. Buccaneers ravaged the Gulf coast and the Carribean during the late 17th century. They mostly attacked Spainish ships, plundering them of their treasure. Buccaneers were usually licensed by the English crown with a letter of marque giving them permission to attack the foreign ships as a way to do battle with Spain, England's main rival at the time.

Jean Lafitte considered himself, not a pirate, but a privateer (buccaneer). He controlled a fleet of men who looted Spanish and foreign ships, collecting the bounty which they would evenly divide up amongst themselves. From their pirate colony located near the mouth of the mighty Mississippi at Barataria Bay, they ruled the Gulf coast in the early 1800's.

Read more about Jean Lafitte and Buccaneers at your local library. Check out my book, Lafitte's Black Box.

Here's a quick link for a little info on Jean Lafitte (copy and paste)

http://www.freebase.com/view/en/jean_lafitte

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