Empire of Sin Audiobook By Gary Krist cover art

Empire of Sin

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Empire of Sin

By: Gary Krist
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.57

Buy for $18.57

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

Empire of Sin re-creates the remarkable story of New Orleans' 30-years war against itself, pitting the city's elite "better half" against its powerful and long-entrenched underworld of vice, perversity, and crime. This early-20th-century battle centers on one man: Tom Anderson, the undisputed czar of the city's Storyville vice district, who fights desperately to keep his empire intact as it faces onslaughts from all sides. Surrounding him are the stories of flamboyant prostitutes, crusading moral reformers, dissolute jazzmen, ruthless Mafiosi, venal politicians, and one extremely violent serial killer, all battling for primacy in a wild and wicked city unlike any other in the world.

©2014 Gary Krist (P)2014 Dreamscape Media, LLC Americas Crime Murder Serial Killers Sociology State & Local True Crime United States War Social justice

Critic reviews

"[A] rich, well-structured story more vivid and twist-filled than most crime fiction... Armed with both well-placed primary sources and an addictive, climactic narrative, Krist leads a perfect trip into the short-lived societal experiment aptly named 'Storyville.'" ( Publishers Weekly)
"...proves that truth really is stranger than fiction by detailing the prominent figures within Storyville, the Crescent City's red-light district... Fans of Boardwalk Empire would enjoy this crime thriller as well." ( Library Journal)
"A colorful account... richly detailed... lively... A wild, well-told tale." ( Kirkus Reviews)
Vivid Narrative • Engaging History • Masterful Storytelling • Rich Details • Coherent Themes • Superb Reader
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
Mr. Krist aptly weaves several different themes (music, vice, and race) together to form a coherent narrative of New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century. Narrator has a top tier voice that pairs nicely with the book.

A well written history

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This well-written, and most well-narrated book gives an amazing history lesson of New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century. It infuses Italian history, jazz history, Storyville, and the Axeman lore into a book you don’t want to end.

Amazing historical telling

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This was a great listen. The book was informative and the reader was easy to listen to.

Informative listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Couldn't stop listening, a truly riveting work! I highly recommend this book to anybody fascinated by the colorful history of New Orleans.

Amazing!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great insight into this era of New Orleans politically and socially. Described in detail to feel like you know where they are talking about in relation to today's New Orleans. Fascinating story with great care to the details of the time.

Brash & interesting history of New Orleans

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
"Empire of Sin" offers a spectacularly told history of New Orleans, one of my favorite American cities. The author masterfully weaves together the prosperous and dark aspects of the city’s past, creating a vivid and engaging narrative. The book delves into the complex interplay of crime, politics, and culture in New Orleans, making its history come alive. The narration is equally excellent, enhancing the immersive experience. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich and tumultuous history of New Orleans.

A Vivid Tapestry of New Orleans’ Past

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book. It served to teach me so much about New Orleans that I never knew as well as make me crave more information about its history, culture, and music.
I didn't want this book to end.

Riveting!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An engaging book. I'm ready to start it again. Started thinking it was fiction with bits of truth thrown in but, learned the narrative is actually all true!

Engaging Listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Have you ever really wondered about the dark mysterious city called New Orleans?? It's history how did it become such a melting pot ?? What about all the corruption ?? Well this extremely well written book tells it all!! From the beginning to the end it will hold you spell bound!! I was sad to see it end!

The reader does an excellent job!! I don't care how good a book can be if the reader is not comfortable and easy to listen to to bring the story to life it's not worth it.

Definitely worth the five star rating!!

New Orleans a fabulous story!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I've read or listened to them all. This is the best chronicle of 1900-1917 era

Best New Orleans History

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews