The Inevitable City: The Resurgence of New Orleans and the Future of Urban America
“On its surfaceThe Inevitable Cityis a book about leadership by a man who led his community through a crisis. But what it really is is the story of a love affair, between a man and the city he did so much to save. One day historians will realize how incredible it was that, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans found its greatest leader in a university president. They will turn here to see how and why he did what he did.” —New York Timesbestselling author Michael Lewis“Our most famous fictional resident, Blanche DuBois observed that she depended on the kindness of strangers. The truth is in the time after Hurricane Katrina the fate of New Orleans was depending on the vision and competence of a guy that grew up in New Jersey. That person was Tulane President Dr. Scott Cowen. New Orleanians unanimously credit him as being the most significant individual in the resurrection and rebirth of the city. This book is a superb place to become educated on post-Katrina New Orleans.”—James Carville"Scott Cowen takes us on his personal journey rebuilding and revitalizing his university and community after the worst natural disaster to ever hit a modern American city. His unflinching courage and deep compassion propel a narrative that is at once a leadership epic and an examination of the true meaning of service. Scott reminds us that while we mourn the losses inflicted on our beloved Gulf Coast, we must never let that be the end of the story—we must write the next chapter." —Lisa Jackson, VP, Apple Inc and former head of the US Environmental Protection Agency "In this beautifully written book, Cowen describes how New Orleans’ leaders, in partnership with its extraordinary and diverse community of citizens, drew on the history, culture, unbreakable spirit and unquestionable strength of this unique metropolis to reimagine new models of urban renewal and reawakening.The Inevitable Cityserves both to inspire and instruct all of us who know that while great storms are always possible, revitalization and rebirth are more often the result when men and women of courage and determination face the storm together." —Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, former president of Brown University “The Inevitable Cityis a wonderful and accurate account of Hurricane Katrina.  Scott Cowen saved Tulane University and helped save the City of New Orleans. We had no greater leader.” —Archie Manning "Dr. Cowen (Scott) articulates how to turn disaster and despair into an opportunity to make our world a better place. By creating a culture that values education, service, faith and commitment we can change the fate of Urban America without eroding its cultural character." —Chef John Besh, author ofCooking from the Heart “Cowen offers the blueprint for revitalizing our nation’s urban centers with his experience as a leader through the recovery of The Crescent City after America’s costliest natural disaster.” —Scott Greenstein, President & Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM Radio“Scott Cowen writes with obvious passion and personal knowledge."—Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post