Champions for Life
by John B. Scott (Epsilon Tau ‘90) and James S. Ward
“Champions for Life,” the story of the life and character-building influence of former USC sprinter and ex-Olympic, Occidental and Stanford track and field coach Payton Jordan, was published Dec. 1.
The book was authored by former Stanford athletes Jack Scott and Jim Ward, who were coached by Jordan.
Scott says the book is “more than a biography of Payton Jordan, a true champion as a competitor and coach. The real story is of Jordan the teacher of character development and the positive influence, recognized now by the many athletes he coached. And, we are talking about the whole range from the greatest Olympic champions to the many less-than-great athletes who benefited equally from his leadership...The consistent message now with the benefit of four decades of reflection is one of character development.”
Available through the Stanford Bookstore, 800-533-2670 or online through Occidental College, www.oxybookstore.com
Acadian Redemption: from Beausoleil Broussard to the Queen’s Royal Proclamation
by Warren A Perrin (Gamma Phi ‘67)
Acadian Redemption, the first biography of an Acadian exile, defines the 18th century society of Acadia into which Joseph Beausoleil Broussard was born in 1702. The book tells of his early life events and lilitant struggles with the British who had for years wanted to lay claim to the Acadians’ rich lands. Subsequent chapters discuss the epic odyssey during which Beausoleil led a group of one hundred ninety-three Acadians from Noca Scotia to Louisiana, the New Acadia, with the hope that his beloved Acadian culture would survive. The last half of the book discusses the evolution of Acadian culture into what is now called “Cajun” culture.
Available through the Acadian Museum, (337) 937-5468, www.acadianmuseum.com
Unborn Destiny: God’s Will Denied
by Kevin Mark Smith (Delta Iota ‘86)
Unborn Destiny offers a view of the pro-life/pro-choice issue.
In the novel, Robert, a recently aborted unplanned and unwanted child is given the opportunity to see what his life would have been like had he been born. His soul guide believes that if given the opportunity to see how challenging life would be, Robert would accept his destiny and go straight to heaven thereby skipping an earthly existence. As the story unfolds, it is clear that each and every person has a purpose in this world.
Robert sees that he has an impact on the lives of all those around him and is torn between a life in heaven and a life on earth.
Available through Barnes & Noble online, www.barnesandnoble.com, large group orders for church groups/religious organizations may be ordered at a discount by contacing the author at (866) 422-3529.
Around the World with the Smithsonian
by William (Bill) O. Craig (Gamma Beta ‘49)
This is a fascinating story of the Smithsonian Institution’s international operations from the time of its founding in Washington in 1846 to the present.
Craig was a writer-editor on the Smithsonian’s public affairs staff from 1969 to 1976. He had a number of unusual experiences there and can claim to have “seen” James Smithson, who dies in 1829 and whose bequest founded the Institution. (He was a witness when Smithson’s remains were resealed in a crypt after having been examined by a Smithsonian anthropologist in 1973.) The book tells of the pioneer efforts by the first head of the Smithsonian, Joesph Henry, to advance American science, and descirbes the Institution’s work since then.
Available through the publisher, www.llumina.com, or through www.amazon.com
