As it's National Poetry Day, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on Byron. The celebrity cult of Lord Byron began while he was still alive, boomed when he died, and still continues today. He remains an object of fascination, scandal, and appeal. I've been interested in him since I first read about him in a "Famous People" encyclopaedia. It was a children's book, so it did not explore the more infamous aspects of his life. But it was enough to inspire me to delve further into research on the man and the myth - including the puzzle of the mirror . Ultimately, Byron went on to become a major inspiration for my first published book Day's Dying Glory , right down to its title. His early poems (generally my favourite ones) feature heavily in the book, and I enjoyed weaving in lines and references which Byron-fans would spot where others might not even notice them. Poets and poetry have inspired hundreds of writers. It is fascinating that language can be so power...
Today for #HistFicThursdays, I am delighted to once again be teaming up with The Coffee Pot Book Club, this time to share an excerpt from S. R. Perricone's fantastic new book Cobblestones!
First of all, let's meet the book...
The turbulent history of Post-Reconstruction New Orleans collides with the plight of Sicilian immigrants seeking refuge in America.
Antonio, a young man fleeing Sicily after avenging his father's murder, embarks on a harrowing journey to New Orleans with the help of Jesuit priests expelled from his homeland. However, the promise of a fresh start quickly sours as Antonio becomes entangled in a volatile clash of cultures, corruption, and crime.
In the late 19th century, Italian immigrants in New Orleans faced hostility, exploitation, and a brutal system of indentured servitude. Antonio becomes a witness to history as a bitter feud over the docks spirals into violence, culminating in the assassination of Irish police chief David C. Hennessy. The ensuing trial of nine Italians and the shocking lynching of eleven innocent men ignited international outrage, threatening to sever ties between the United States and Italy.
Caught in the crossfire of prejudice and power struggles, Antonio fights to survive while grappling with his own past and future. His journey weaves a gripping tale of resilience, betrayal, and the enduring hope for justice. Cobblestones: A New Orleans Tragedy is a poignant reminder of the human cost of intolerance and the courage it takes to rebuild a life from ashes.
"A phenomenal epic account of a forgotten slice of New Orleans history for fans of Scorsese / Coppola-type cinematic dramas such as Midnight Vendetta and The Godfather!"
~ HFC Reviews
Eager to get the story printed and distributed, The Daily Picayune and The Times-Democrat hastily “Flashed” their first edition of the Hennessy shooting. Because of the police raids throughout the city, there was a lack of Italian newspaper boys to go throughout the city and sell papers. Reporters, pressed into double duty, hawked their papers, while trying to get updates of the story.
The Times-Democrat reported that Hennessy was at Charity Hospital, and resting comfortably, while The Daily Picayune printed:
“Another chapter has been added to the already too bloody record of the vendetta in New Orleans, and David C. Hennessy, her superintendent of police, the victim of the tragedy, lies at the Charity Hospital in momentary expectation of the dread summons which must be answered.”
The Daily Picayune further reported the opinions of the attending physicians, Logan and Bloom, “…that the wounds were very dangerous, indeed, but were not necessarily fatal at present.”
And during the early hours of October 16, 1890, Hennessy slipped in an out of consciousness. Nurses and nuns hovered around his bed, attending his every need and praying.
Now, let's meet the author:
Sal Perricone, a graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans with a BA (1975) and JD (1979), has dedicated his career to law enforcement, legal practice, and public service. Beginning as a sergeant with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department, he progressed to detective with the New Orleans Police Department before practicing law privately in New Orleans. In 1985, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Supervisory Special Agent, specializing in financial crime investigations and organized crime.
In 1991, Sal Perricone transitioned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, where he served as Chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force and Senior Litigation Counsel until retiring in 2012. Over his illustrious career, he prosecuted significant cases involving La Cosa Nostra, public corruption, and white-collar crime. He earned numerous accolades, including multiple Director’s Awards and the Attorney General’s Award for his role in establishing the Katrina Fraud Task Force.
An adjunct professor at Tulane University and the University of New Orleans, Sal Perricone has trained law enforcement professionals across the nation. Post-retirement, he has authored two novels with positive Catholic themes, Blue Steel Crucifix and The Shadows of Nazareth. A Brother Martin alumnus, he continues to inspire with his dedication to justice and ethics
You can find the him on these links:
To follow the rest of the tour for Cobblestones, click on the banner below:
Thank you so much for hosting S. R. Perricone on your fabulous blog today, with an intriguing excerpt from his novel, Cobblestones.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club