An American graphic designer, Chip Kidd, is known for his amazing book covers. It was he who said, “A book cover is a distillation. It is a haiku of the story.”
Aside from being poetic, his quote is accurate. A cover gives a glimpse into the genre and, perhaps, its theme. For my upcoming book, PRYOR KNOWLEDGE, this cover has its own history and allusion to the story.
The cover art comes from a neoclassical painting done in 1867 by Theodore Moise and Victor Pierson called “Life on the Metairie.” In it, forty-four prominent turfmen of New Orleans are shown at the Metairie Race Course, where the most exciting horse races in the story take place.
I especially wanted this painting as my cover due to the man dressed in gray beside the brown horse. One of the main characters of PRYOR KNOWLEDGE, he is my third great-grandfather, Adam L. Bingaman.
It is said the painting commemorated the last race run at that track. It quickly turned into a cemetery, which is a whole other story.
When the last remnants of the race course shut down, the original painting was hung in the clubhouse of the Fair Grounds Race Track in New Orleans. In 1993, it was destroyed in a seven-alarm fire. The official photographer for the course, Louis Hodges, shared his photos of it for the re-creation that hangs there today.
Louis’s granddaughter, Amanda Hodges, referred me to those at the Fair Grounds who gave me permission to use the painting as this cover. On the condition that I send them a signed copy! Which I am thrilled to do.
Like a haiku, the cover sends a short, sensory message. Hopefully, a part of it says, “Read me!”
M.B. Gibson Books 
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