Cajun History

Deep within the bayous and swamps of Louisiana resides a population descended from an exodus. These people, called Cajuns or Acadians, were expelled from their homelands. Persecuted and homeless, they traveled hundreds of miles south in search of a new home and ultimately settled in the Pelican State, where they made new lives for themselves free from their British conquerors. Though not always warmly welcomed, they were accepted, allowing them to practice their different culture amid their new neighbors.

The past 60 years have shaped and reshaped the group of French-speaking Louisiana people known as the Cajuns. During this period they have become much like other Americans and yet have remained strikingly distinct. The Cajuns: Americanization of a People explores these six decades and analyzes the forces that had an impact on Louisiana's Acadiana.

Embark on a journey through the heart and soul of America with this captivating exploration of a state whose history vibrates through the cities and whispers in the bayous. This narrative isn't just a recount of events; its an immersive voyage into a cultural melting pot that has significantly shaped America's identity.

''A must read! If you want to get your Cajun on, you’ve got to read John Gravois’ fabulous little book,'' says Ken Wells, ex-Wall Street Journal writer and Page One editor, and author of Gumbo Life: Tales from the Roux Bayou' and the Cajun classic coming-of-age novel, 'Meely LaBauve. "It’s fun, factual and full of history, Cajun idioms and their pronunciations. This authentic son of the bayou does a huge service in compact form by helping to illuminate a culture that remains Even if you don't speak a word of French now, with this Berlitz phrase book parody you’ll be able to answer, ...

Is it possible to divorce your ex and still love you former mother-in-law? Take a trip to the bayou with Louisiana Mystery Writer Eric Wilder. Hear some of his favorite family stories and try twenty recipes from possibly the greatest Cajun-Creole cook on earth: his former mother-in-law. Lily's Little Cajun Cookbook is filled with humor, mystery, tall tales and the wonderful aroma of Cajun and Creole cuisine.