Acadian House Publishing

12/13/2025

'Pistol Pete's' profound message
to LSU ball players

"Pistol Pete" Maravich was invited to give a motivational talk to Coach Dale Brown's LSU basketball team before a big game sometime in the mid-1980s.

It turned out not to be the talk Coach Brown and the players were expecting of this basketball superstar, who had played for LSU from 1967 to 1970.

First, Pete ticked off all his worldly accomplishments: College All-American, led the nation in scoring, biggest pro contract in NBA history, multi-millionaire, walked around with $3,000 cash in his pocket, drank, chased women, lived in a mansion.

Then, he paused and lowered his voice:

"But, guys, I was a miserable human being. I thought I had it all.... But I was unhappy, miserable, fed up with life. I had everything society tells us is success."

Then came the bombshell: "I had decided to commit su***de" with a pistol.

I was so down in the dumps. For some reason, I set the pistol down on the bed. I didn't know how to pray.... I fell on the bed, prone, face down and said, 'God, if you're there, would you somehow, in some way, please touch my life.'

"Instantly—I don't know how to express it—a peace took over my body, for the first time in my life.... I had been a miserable s.o.b. until I took God into my life.

"Guys, whatever you do, 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪, or you will end up miserable, as I did."

More of this story can be found in Coach Dale Brown's motivational book, "Getting Over the 4 Hurdles of Life," available at https://www.acadianhouse.com/motivation-inspirational. In concluding "Pistol Pete's" story, Coach Brown writes: "Pete felt, as I do, that 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨."

11/28/2025

How did this guy with kidney disease
become 'the strongest man in the world'?

Doctors told him he wouldn't live past the age of 12, that his kidney disease was terminal. But he didn't believe the doctors – and he didn't believe in defeat!
Paul Anderson of Toccoa, Georgia, was a man of faith, courage and tenacity. He worked out all the time, using primitive, homemade weights. And he eventually became the strongest man in the world, literally, holding nine world records and winning an Olympic gold medal.

In 1983, he suffered renal failure. Then his sister gave him one of her kidneys, and he lived 11 more years, till age 61.

The remarkable story of this "gentle giant," as he was described in newspapers, is one of many that is found in the famous motivational book by Coach Dale Brown, former LSU men's basketball coach. The book is titled "𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 4 𝘏𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦" and is available at www.acadianhouse.com/motivation-inspirational. It's filled with inspiring stories of people who overcame life's hurdles and refused to let their "handicaps" stop them from living happy and fulfilling lives.

11/22/2025

Grand Coteau really is
"The Holy Land of South Louisiana"

With well-established ties to the supernatural, this mysterious, peaceful village is located in the heart of Louisiana's Cajun Country.

It is the site of the first authenticated miracle in North America (1866), the location of the oldest Sacred Heart Academy in the world (founded 1821), and home of two Jesuit retreat houses. Three books that delve into the history and mystery of the community are available at www.acadianhouse.com/south-louisiana-regional. Grand Coteau was visited by not only one person destined for sainthood but by five who have since become saints or who are on the road to canonization.

The well-researched books that deal with this unique holy land include:
– Grand Coteau: The Holy Land of South Louisiana
– A Place Set Apart (on Our Lady of the Oaks Jesuit Retreat House)
– The Academy of the Sacred Heart: 200 Years and Counting

11/15/2025

Former LSU coach Dale Brown
recognized as 'A true national hero'

Coach Dale Brown is recognized as the winningest men's basketball coach in LSU history. But did you know he's also seen as a true national hero for his untiring efforts to reform the NCAA rule book?

He was the nation's leading and most effective advocate for changes to the NCAA rule book, to modify or delete dozens of rules that he believed "legislated against human dignity."

Partly because of his hundreds of speeches and thousands of letters over a 35-year period, some 500,000 student-athletes per year throughout the nation – in all 1,100 NCAA colleges and universities – are benefitting today. A big part of the credit belongs to Coach Brown.

This never-before-published story is found in the book titled "Dale Brown Court: ...and the Battle for Human Dignity." It is published by Acadian House Publishing of Lafayette, La. To order, go to www.acadianhouse.com/biographies. The book includes a Foreword by renowned sportscaster Bob Costas. And the exclusive, behind-the-scenes story of how and why the LSU Board of Supervisors finally approved the naming of the basketball court in the P-Mac for Coach Brown.

11/08/2025

Capt. Hugh Thompson
and the Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. Army helicopter pilot Hugh Thompson was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by U.S. Senator John Breaux in 2000. Thompson and his crew are credited with stopping the infamous My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War, in March of 1968.

Out-of-control U.S. soldiers killed 504 Vietnamese civilians in a 4-hour span, suspecting they were Viet Cong sympathizers, including women, children and the elderly. Thompson risked his life to stop the killing – and to uphold the honor of the U.S. Army – and he succeeded.

Senator Breaux felt the world should know what true courage and integrity look like. While Thompson wasn't awarded the Nobel Prize, he did receive the Soldier's Medal, which is the highest award the Army offers for battlefield action other than direct combat with the enemy.

This inspiring story of man's humanity to man is available from www.acadianhouse.com/biographies. The book is titled "The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story."

10/11/2025

10/10/2025

The glory days of LSU
basketball and baseball

Coach Dale Brown brought winning BASKETBALL to LSU.
Coach Skip Bertman brought winning BASEBALL to LSU.
How they did it is the stuff of legends.

Their stories are told in intriguing detail in these two books, available from the publisher at https://www.acadianhouse.com/sports

10/04/2025

'𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴'
𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮 & 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝗮

In the hours following the landfall of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, flooding drove tens of thousands of evacuees away from their homes. Exhausted and desperate, many evacuees left with little more than the clothes on their backs and headed for Lafayette to the Cajundome Arena. What happened next is a powerful story of human kindness.

The story is a heartwarming documentary film called "Cajundome City." It continues to be on various PBS stations around the country in this, the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

The book that the film is based on can be ordered from the publisher at www.acadianhouse.com/south-louisiana-regional. It is titled “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘫𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘨𝘢-𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 ‘𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺’ 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢.”

10/03/2025

'𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒏
𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏'

Kermit Parker of Baton Rouge, L.a, was convicted of a murder he didn't commit. He's been in prison for 35 years — since he was 19 years old.
And he needs financial assistance to help pay his attorney, who is trying to get him a new — and 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 — trial.
Kermit did not get a fair trial. Much of the critical evidence that would have been used in his defense was withheld from his defense lawyers by the Baton Rouge District Attorney's office back in the 1980s. This exculpatory evidence includes:

• A signed confession by the actual killer. (1988)
• Gun powder residue tests that prove Kermit was not the shooter. (1988)
• A recanting of testimony by the FBI's expert witness. (2008)

To contribute to Kermit's defense, go to https://gofund.me/2bf4150c. Another fund is set up at https://gogetfunding.com/an-innocent-louisiana-man.../.
Please help free this innocent man from prison.

P.S. — The evidence that will overturn Kermit's conviction was in the files of the Baton Rouge District Attorney's office, most of it since the 1980s and '90s. It was uncovered only in 2022 through a Public Records Request made by Kermit's attorney.

I ask you this question.... What is a greater injustice? To send an "Innocent Man" to P… Sam Parker needs your support for Support Kermit's Chance For Justice

09/26/2025

If you or someone you know could use a boost in Positive Mental Attitude, here’s a new book that is sure to help.

"The Little Book of Motivation" is a compact 112-page hardcover book packed with inspiring messages from one of America’s top motivational speakers, former LSU basketball Coach Dale Brown.

The book is, essentially, a written version of some of Brown’s most memorable speeches. Themes include courage, integrity, leadership, tolerance and teamwork. The author describes proven ways of achieving happiness, success and peace of mind. Only $15.00 per copy.

To order, go to www.acadianhouse.com/motivation-inspirational. If you’d like to order a quantity of 12 or more copies at a discounted price, call Trent Angers at Acadian House Publishing, (337) 257-2028 (cell).

08/29/2025

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘫𝘶𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘴
𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴

This brave couple from Breaux Bridge, La., saved a baby with asthma who was badly in need of medical attention. They rescued two women in their nineties who were stuck in their attic. They saved two old men on the verge of drowning.

In all, they were able to get hundreds of people onto dry land in three days immediately after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans.

The couple, Doug Bienvenu and Drue LeBlanc, couldn't stand to be sitting around doing nothing but watching the story unfold on TV while people were dying. So they hitched up their airboat and headed for New Orleans.

Aggressive and impatient by nature, Doug felt that waiting for the government to act simply wasn't an option. Drue – though suffering with kidney disease – was very anxious to go as well. (She had narrowly escaped death from kidney failure on more than one occasion in the recent past.)

More on this story of incredible heroism can be found in the book titled "𝘈𝘯 𝘈𝘪𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘖𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴," available from the publisher at www.acadianhouse.com/new-orleans. The story clearly demonstrates that some people will stop at nothing when the lives of their fellow human beings are in danger.

08/15/2025

The Crawfish Boil:
A South Louisiana Social

The backyard crawfish boil is a south Louisiana social event and a true gourmet dining experience.
It's interesting to observe that when steaming boiled crawfish are poured onto the newspaper that covers the outdoor table, the pre-meal chatter stops right away and the peeling and eating begins. It's pretty obvious that people who like crawfish love crawfish!

Boiled Crawfish:

• 20 pounds of live crawfish
• ½ box of salt
• 6 lemons, cut in wedges
• 3 pounds of onions, cut in wedges
• 1½ boxes of salt
• ¼ bottle of liquid crab boil
• ¼ bottle of cayenne

1. Place live crawfish into a large tub. Add one-half box of salt and enough water to cover them. Leave crawfish in tub for 20 to 30 minutes, to allow them to rinse and purge.
2. Fill a large seafood-boiling pot about one-third full of water; add all remaining ingredients except crawfish and bring water to a brisk boil for about 10 minutes.
3. Pour the crawfish into the pot. After the water comes to a boil again, let it boil for about seven minutes.
4. Turn off the fire and let the crawfish soak for five or 10 minutes before serving.

(From “The Top 100 CAJUN Recipes of All Time.” To get a copy of this and other authentic Louisiana cookbooks, go to www.acadianhouse.com/cookbooks.)