Mardi Gras in New Orleans is an annual explosion of tumultuous celebration. It began among the French Creoles of New Orleans, and after the Civil War developed into a city-wide event with the visit of the Russian Grand Duke Alexis in 1870. In this reprint of the classic work by one of Louisiana's most notable authors, Robert Tallant examines the history and customs of Mardi Gras. He depicts the glittering balls, the ragtag marching clubs, the hilarious satires of the Zulu parade, and the grandeur of Rex. The volume tells how Mardi Gras has grown from a simple celebration to become the soul of the city. Robert Tallant (1909-1957) was one of Louisiana's best-known authors, and participated in the WPA Writers Project during the 1930s and 1940s. Besides Mardi Gras . . . As It Was , Tallant also wrote Voodoo in New Orleans and The Voodoo Queen . With Lyle Saxon and Edward Dreyer he co-authored the famous collection Gumbo Ya-Ya.