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• Fatima Shaik leads the reader skillfully through the lives of the distinguished men of good will who founded Economy Hall, an institution I had not known existed until I read this book. Its overall purpose seems to have been to do good wherever possible, for people of all races and stations in society. The ancestors of the men who founded Economy Hall had fled to New Orleans to escape the violence of the failed revolution in Haiti. It was Ms Shaik’s father, a descendant of these men, who rescued from the dumpster 100 years’ worth of minutes revealing their history and, with it, the broader history of a critical time and place in the formation of our republic — in particular, for me, the aftermath in the South of the Civil War. Among these men was Ludger Boguille, an educator, as well as Economy Hall’s secretary, whose life we follow in engrossing detail throughout most of Ms Shaik’s book. He and his colleagues strive to counteract by their studied presence—dignified, skillful, reasoned, benevolent—the persistent negative stereotypes of their race that pervaded every day of their lives, in the newspapers and on the streets, and which Ms Shaik makes real to us through virtue of her own skill with words. With each new chapter, the reader grows to care more and more about these principled men and to wish them well—including on the horrifying day we follow Ludger and a few of his colleagues to Mechanics Hall to discuss the new Louisiana constitution and the absence of their participation in forming it. Ms Shaik describes their struggle for equality as they intersect and influence a very critical time in our country’s history. It is interesting and hopeful to me that although all the members of Economy Hall were men, it is a woman who brought their story back to life. This book, at 500-plus pages, is the result of 20-plus years of research and reflection, and I find myself wanting to know still more. For example, who composed the Board of Freedman’s Bank and what were their motives? What became of Aristide Rivarde’s family after his death? What are the circumstances that led from Haiti’s beginnings to the present day? I’ll be among the first in line for Fatima Shaik’s next book. This one is a must-read.

• This book is providence, manifested in what is undoubtedly the authors’ magnum opus. It is an astounding work demonstrating a mastery of craft. As a descendent of Louisiana Creoles, I was emotionally invested by the prologue. I was fascinated. And although I could not put it down, I was continually distracted by the writers’ ability to transport me from the page and daydream into the sentement of the Economiste. A welcome distraction. I imagined myself, in their time, facing soul crushing oppression. Though tempted, I did not dare measure myself against these men. Instead, I persisted reading and allowed myself the luxury of a skillful story teller, telling an important story, with an honesty, intelligence, and intimacy that only a descendant, destiny and divinity could provide. I feel a debt of gratitude.

• Great overview of American history from a hidden perspective you didn't know you were missing.

• Taking my time reading but certainly worth it

• Great resources found in this book.

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