Centenary College Professor Delves Into Travel Writing with Insiders' Guide to Shreveport

SHREVEPORT, La. (Centenary News Service) — Visitors to Shreveport now have another resource to help guide them through the city and surrounding area thanks to the work of one Centenary College professor.

$Insiders\' Guide to Shreveport$
Insiders' Guide to Shreveport

The Insiders' Guide to Shreveport is the latest work by Dr. David Otto '83, and is an in-depth travel and relocation guide to Louisiana's third largest city.

Dr. Otto has lived in Shreveport for the past 20 years, serving as professor of Religious Studies and the Arthur and Emily Webb Chair of International Studies, and is a true insider with the ability to give a personal and practical perspective of Shreveport and its surrounding area. When not teaching, he enjoys exploring the numerous features that make this region of the Deep South a true gem.

While writing the book, Dr. Otto drew on his experience as an avid world traveler and a professor who demonstrates to his students the value of engaging other cultures. "I realized that nothing would prohibit me from taking the same skills I use to develop 'thick descriptions' of religious cultures around the world and applying them to the history, lives and affairs of Shreveport and Bossier City," he said. "The result of my attempt to 'go native' is represented within the pages of the book."

(Listen to Dr. Otto's interview with Kate Archer Kent from Red River Radio.)

What he discovered along his 5 1/2 month-journey in writing the guide was a medium-sized metropolitan area full of hidden treasures, a Twin City linked by history, cultures and the slow-moving, muddy waters of the Red River. "In this area, you'll find a place rich in African culture, awash in Southern Charm and somewhat rustic on the exterior but compassionate on the interior, and poised for greatness."

Like most travel guides, the book is divided into sections on the area overview, getting around, accommodations, history, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, kidstuff, day trips and more.

"Shreveport-Bossier has activities for all ages," said Dr. Otto. "But what I have attempted to do is share many of the less obvious, local insiders' secrets in the book that visitors otherwise may miss."

The Insiders' Guide to Shreveport is available at local bookstores, including the Centenary College bookstore and from Amazon.com.

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 373 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.