I came across the New Orleans field guide at River City books on Magazine St. Even though I already had the trip planned out, I had to get this tiny gem of a guide book. Unlike those huge books with lists of lists of things to do and places to go, the field guide offers a quickly-consumable glimpse into the city and its history, treasures, and problems.

This guide is amazing because it's just as useful after you've traveled to New Orleans as when you're planning to travel there, shedding insights on things you saw and stuff you missed through story-telling, interviews, and timelines of major events.