History of the Acadians

by Bona Arsenault

English, French (translation)

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Denis Daigle · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, the 4 stars: simply because it is a history book that includes many parts where it becomes a listing of people/families having migrated from one place to another. That being said, the overall rendition is actually both instructive and fun to read. One thing the author manages to do well is provide an accurate (as much as one can tell) magnitude of the 1755 drama without ending in overly emotional narrative. You get the point of how inhuman and sad this era was without needing much description. In the end it becomes a well nuanced and balanced account of how the Acadians have evolved. For somebody like me who is of Acadian origin, it even raises a sense of pride. If the topic is of interest, this is a worthy read.

[Emeric Pare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellente lecture qui raconte de manière assez consistante l’histoire des acadiens et des acadiennes de leur arrivée en Amérique jusqu’à leur éparpillement à travers le monde! Je peux maintenant dire que j’ai une bonne base en la matière!

[Robert Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very scholary history of the Acadians, the original inhabitants of a large chuck of Canada which includes Cape Breton, New Brunswick, Prince Edwards Island and more. The book could have been divided into two parts.

In the first part Mr. Arsenault traces the unfortunate experiences of these peaceful and prosperous people as they are caught up in the competition of two of the three great European powers to divide up the spoils of North America. France tries, but fails, to ward off the English attacks. Thus ensues a tortuous period of approximately 100 years while the English debate about whether these people are a threat to their victory. Mr. Arsenault, who is descended from the Acadians, paints a picture of them as a population that simply wants to be allowed to worship their god and enjoy the major share of the prosperity of their land. Eventually the English conclude they must go and ship groups of them off to the American Colonies. The process is haphazard, so some families are separated and many die. Some of the states don't want them, others tolerate them.

The discussion transitions to what might be called Part 2. Here, Mr. Arsenault records where the Acadians ultimately landed (mostly New Orleans) and who their descendants are.

This is as worthwhile a history as any other and a must read for anyone with an interest in the history of what is now southern Canada and parts of Maine.

It would have benefited from some maps.

[Raynald Provost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce qui intéresse l'auteur c'est la généalogie. Ce livre est un accompagnement de ses traités de généalogie, il donne des détails sur les ancêtres acadiens.