Comments on "Why New Orleans Matters"

          So far for the book club assignment, I have read the first two chapters of Tom Piazza's Why New Orleans Matters.  The book was written in 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck.  Piazza introduces the book with details of the situation after the Katrina occurred and the devastating effect of the levees breaking.  The sense of frustration is apparent when he mentions that for years experts were sounding the alarm over the vulnerability of New Orleans to a massive storm rupturing the levee system there.  Piazza mentions early on that experts were talking about when the levees would break, not if they would.
          The early chapters focus on the author's beginnings in New Orleans.  He then looks at the troubles the city has, but mentions that people love the city, warts and all.  This is mainly because of the unique culture New Orleans has.  The people there, along with the music and food, create a culture that isn't seen anywhere else in the world.  Early on in the book, Piazza has introduced his favorite city, and explains effectively to outsiders how important New Orleans culture is, and why it is so vital to keep alive.  
          When reading this book five years after Hurricane Katrina, it is important to put the book in its proper context.  There were many uncertainties facing New Orleans after the storm.  Would the city ever be the same?  Would people come back to visit knowing of the death and destruction that occurred?  Thankfully, many people have returned to the city they love, but there are still many more that were displaced.  The positive aspect of reading the book five years later is the ability the reader has to appreciate how the beloved city has responded to the multitude of problems it faced then, and still does to this day.