Bernard S. Smith

Let me first say why I wrote this book. Primarily because of my fascination with the uniqueness of New Orleans in the history of this nation, the admixture of three principal cultures in southeast Louisiana, the lack of general knowledge relating to female slaves of various skin tones in pre-civil war New Orleans, and the little-known fact that many black men were both plantation owners and slave owners.

I grew up across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, an area once rural until Hurricane Katrina completely transformed it. Having a degree in Physics led me to work with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War years. Disheartened, I went to LSU Law School, graduated, and spent my primary working years as an Assistant District Attorney and Parish Attorney and trial litigator.

I’ve authored one other book, a wickedly interesting novel titled “Random Allotment”, based on my experience as a DA and penned multiple screen plays, all of which received recognition of one degree or another.

I’m married, no children, and no pets, since we have enough errant animals meandering around our yard to satisfy that desire.