Life and Death in New Orleans

Dan Baum has written an excellent book about New Orleans. Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans. Baum was the New Yorker reporter covering the aftermath of the flood.

And it’s not just me who says this book is great. The New York Times gave it a great review. You can read an excerpt here.

But what’s it got to do with bikes? Well, Dan Baum likes riding them. He’s a nice guy, a great writer, and rides a bike. If those aren’t good reasons to buy a good book, I don’t know what is.

I met Dan while biking in New Orleans. He’s even featured and pictured in this very blog (and that was before he got all famous an shit). And yes, at least while in New Orleans, the guy really did dress like a dandy. But who am I to talk? I have a green hat from New Orleans just like that one.

He’s speaking at the Barnes & Noble at 82nd and Broadway on Tuesday at 7pm. I’ll be there. I’m going to start calling him Dandy Dan. I’m sure he’ll love that.