About the book:

It was an unlikely place for a city, scourged by disease-ridden mosquitos and pummeled by hurricanes. But for more than three hundred years, Mobile has thrived on the unlikely and endured the unimaginable. Mobilians love their gumbo but are likely unaware that it was first served up here by women sent from France to foster population growth. Times were once so dire for free blacks that a shocking number petitioned the courts to become slaves. The city witnessed the first operational submarine, the first Mardi Gras celebration and the last major battle of the Civil War. Author Joe Cuhaj navigates the backwaters of Mobile's fascinating history.

About the author:

Joe Cuhaj is a former radio broadcaster turned author and freelance writer. He began his radio career just outside of New York City but moved to Mobile in 1981 with his wife, who is from the Port City. His radio career flourished as he picked up a job at WUNI, which was originally the first radio station in Mobile, WODX. Joe fell in love with Alabama's biodiversity and continued one of his favorite pastimes, hiking and backpacking. In 2000, he combined his love of hiking and writing and penned his first book, Hiking Alabama. Since then, Joe has written seven outdoor recreation books for Falcon Guides. Joe left radio and became a software programmer but continued his passion for writing. In addition to outdoor recreation, Joe has a love and passion for history, which he had a chance to delve into when he coauthored Baseball in Mobile for Arcadia Publishing. He has also written historical articles and web content for several sites and publications on a wide variety of subjects, and falling back on his radio career, he has produced a number of humorous short story podcasts that can be heard on his website, www.joecuhaj.com.