Mr. New Orleans: The Life of a Big Easy Underworld Legend

While subject to the usual potential of exaggeration that can exist with this sort of memoir, the author spins a tale that is at times self-deprecating enough to come through as quite real and sincere. He appears to hold nothing back except a few things he draws our attention to, which goes a long way toward establishing credibility.This is the story of a man who lived a full life in the underbelly of New Orleans, a pimp, an enforcer, and mob hanger-on.Although some promotional material indicates that there may be some juicy stories about former Gov. Edwin Edwards (whose more colorful attributes are well-documented) little in that regard as new. Unusual, however, is the candor with which stories related to Carlos Marcello, including his potential involvement with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, are related. The book could have used some tighter editing. Particularly distracting is the author's use of the word "baby" directed toward the reader. While its use in that regard is certainly a New Orleans curiosity of colloquialism, its inclusion adds nothing to the story. The author's genuineness is already established.The unusually close glimpse of New Orleans -- in particular the French Quarter -- at a time of rampant lawlessness and scandal is well worth the time spent reading this book, and I highly recommend it.

A teenage Catholic Cajun virgin runs away to the capital of sin the New Orleans French Quarter. The story of the Marcello era of New Orleans has been told before, but never by anyone with a front row seat, and never by someone as colorful as Kent "Frenchy" Brouillette. Anyone with a interest in New Orleans history or the American Mafia needs to read this book. I grew up in New Orleans but unfortunately was born too late and missed this era. Not that you can't hang in the quarter today, have a wild time and make a living doing ot. It's still like no othef place on earth, biggesf difference being that only about half the cops and politions are corrupt. it's just not the virtual lawless red lite district as it wss in the 50s - 70s. I can't really say much more without spoiling the story. Some review's have questioned the truth behind this story. First I'll point out that the biographer says in the begining that this story comes not only from Frenchy but also the remaining mobsters still kicking around New Orleans including the defacto current boss of the New Orleans Mafia. Second I have met and hung out with Frenchy. This was in the 90s when I had droped out, left my parents uptown home for the French Quarter to have my wild time and make a living doing it. I heard his stories told in the presence of people who were around during that time. Tbey didnt verify anything buf didn't contradict anything either. This book contains far more juicy tails then I heard then. The people who would not want them told are gone now and Frenchy wisely waited till it wad safe. Unfortunately Frenchy was murdered not long after the release of this book.RIP Frenchy your a legend baby.FYI if your into audio books the Auditable version of this iz amazing .The reader is amazing with the wonderfull accents and slang of south Louisiana. Well worth it even at full price.

I loved this book. Could not put it down. Having grown up in New Orleans in the 1960s, I get the feeling that the characters in this book were living right beside us at the time and were people we might have known. I certainly remember the political figures and larger than life crime characters as being the 'adults' of my childhood. I found out about this book only because someone mentioned in in a comment on a news story about Mr. Brouillette's murder (December 2015.) I wish I had read it before he was gone and might have even had a chance to meet this fascinating man.Excellent book for anyone interested in New Orleans, organized crime, or the Kennedy assassination and its various conspiracies.

Wow! New Orleans exposed!! Interesting that shortly after this book was written, the author was murdered. Maybe he instinctively knew he did not have much time left to tell his story! It seemed to be a confessional of sorts, a tragic life and he paid the price. Maybe a cautionary tale? Does not glamorize the lifestyle. Definitely worth reading. Also I think the co- author did a great job as well helping this man tell his story.

Couldn't put this book down. The book is hysterically funny, very sad and very informative with no apologies for a life lived on the edge.Rest In Peace Mr New Orleans and thanks to Mr Randazzo and Frenchy for the education.

I read about the death of Frenchy who I never heard of until the Times Picayune reported his murder just weeks ago.Haven't read a book in a while where I felt like I totally understood Frenchy's characte r thtough the authors way of presenting Frenchy..I loved the description of New orleans in the 50 and 60s when the mafia had such a stronghold.He was a true character . If you are from New Orleans so many things will amaze you. I highly recommend this book. It was also a trip through time of a self proclaimed young "pretty boy" to an old man ..a "has been." if you will. Love it.

An incredible peek into New Orleans' underworld. Perhaps it is not all true-blue there is exaggeration, maybe some stories are not retold. Some conclusions drawn might be in error. Or maybe it is all exactly as told within it's pages. No matter where the absolute truth lies there is certainly enough truth and color here to paint a vivid picture of how things used to be. As an ever contreversial city, here is a history that should never be lost.

I was born and raised in New Orleans, and I was not aware of all of this. I guess I was a good boy and stayed out of the quarter. This was a good book looking at the "seedy" underbelly of the Big Easy.

Very Interesting.

Great piece of history.,