Finally a comprehensive, easy-to-read history of LES GENS DE COULEUR LIBRE - as the French called them in the 1700s (the free people of color) known as Creoles of color after the Civil War & today, simply as Creoles. The pocket sized book, illustrated & with notes & index, describes a missing link in most histories of the African-American experience. Freed from the 1730s on, these people emerging in French & Spanish colonial Louisiana, formed a large & powerful community. Some of them owned wealthy estates & others dominated trades such as leatherworking, cigar making & carpentry. On the eve of the Civil War, these Creoles of color numbered in the thousands, owned $15 million of property in New Orleans & were active in the slave trade; thus some of them fought with the Confederacy. The book explains contributions of free people of color in education, politics, religion, journalism, art, etc.; the laws that tried to keep them in their place; & the major role of PLACAGE, liaisons between free women of color & white men. It discusses the ongoing effect of this group on New Orleans today, as well as ongoing issues of race & the Creole controversy resulting in their unique history. Includes an extensive bibliography & index. Volume discounts from publisher: Margaret Media, 421 Manasses Place, New Orleans, LA 70119; 504-822-9305.