If you are looking to carefully separate fact from fiction in the story of Lafitte, this is not the first place to turn. If you want a copiously footnoted, modern, scholarly study, look elsewhere. But if you want an intelligent, clearly written introduction to Lafitte, this old classic is not bad.
Saxon has a tendency to accept the most Romantic aspects of the Lafitte mythology. But he tells the story in a clear style, with a lively sense of narrative. The illustrations don't add much to the picture, but they do serve to break up the text.
At $14 don't expect the printing to be stellar. But it held up to a full reading, is decent, and is printed locally.
Anyone who wants to understand the complexities of contemporary New Orleans, and why it remains more European and Caribbean than American, will do well to look at the colorful figure of Lafitte. In many ways, he represents spirit of the city.