Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba Book

Growing up in New Orleans, as I did, one becomes aware of the Pontalba Buildings at a young age. These 19th-century buildings flank Jackson Square (called the Place d'Armes at the time this book is concerned with) -- the iconic St. Louis Cathedral is in the center.

It seems I've always known the name of the Baroness Pontalba as the woman behind the buildings, but that was all I knew about her. But once this book came out, her life between the marriage and the building of the Pontalba apartments was revealed; and the full story is a doozy.

Once again, history continues to show me that the politics behind governments has not changed and that families with lots of money always seem to have at least one problem child, as was the Baroness's oldest son.

This book is written in an engaging style, with the author's wit poking through in several places.