Book excerpt: Few of our state's 64 parishes have first-rate published histories available about them. How marvelous that Pelican should have seen fit to republish this superlative book!--Shreveport forum news From the banks of the Mississippi River to the edge of Bayou Barataria to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana�s Jefferson Parish encompasses a diverse and historic region. This comprehensive, illustrated volume reconstructs the natural and human history of the parish, tracing its evolution from the earliest times of prehistory to the modern era. Betsy Swanson spotlights the area�s early Indian life and archaeological sites and historic landmarks, extinct and extant, and the roles they played in the progress of the region. Colorful historical figures who appear in these pages include the pirate Jean Lafitte, revolutionary Nicolas Chauvin de la Freni�re, and the reclusive philanthropist John McDonogh. Historic Jefferson Parish also features a treasure trove of early sketches, rare maps, and vintage photographs.