This collection of essays, short stories, and poems all deal with the "Ultimate Question": to be, or not to be. Each philosopher, writer, or poet has contributed his or her own thoughts regarding suicide. Some of the selections are whimsical, such as a poem which discusses different ways of "doing it". Others are thought-provoking and emotional pieces, which bring up thoughts about why people commit suicide, and the feelings felt by those they leave behind. This book is suitable for scholars, teachers, professionals of all sorts, and especially those who may think twice before answering their own "Ultimate Question".

John Miller has edited a number of anthologies that concern a particular city or region. I've read San Francisco and Cape Cod Stories, and the New Orleans tales are the best so far. The New Orleans stories begin with an explorer's log from 1699 and continue into the 1980s. Unlike the Cape Cod offering, New Orleans Stories doesn't focus too long on any one era or group. The offerings include not only fiction and essays, but journal entries, a selection from "A Streetcar Named Desire," and a list of folk remedies.

The book provides a survey of "Southern" writers, without focusing too long on any one entry. Obviously, with this type of book, you will enjoy some entries enough that you will look for other books by that author; other selections will not impress you. Thus, while this book does its job well, it is hard for me to give it a five-star rating (which I reserve for my absolute favorite books).

This collection captures the unique character of New Orleans. The voodoo theme crops up a little too often, but its hard to go to New Orleans and not see voodoo themes frequently. If you are one of those people who like to read about the places you vacation, this is an excellent choice.