Trail of Tears : The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation

A sixth-generation North Carolinian, highly-acclaimed author John Ehle grew up on former Cherokee hunting grounds. His experience as an accomplished novelist, combined with his extensive, meticulous research, culminates in this moving tragedy rich with historical detail. The Cherokee are a proud, ancient civilization. For hundreds of years they believed themselves to be the "Principle People" residing at the center of the earth. But by the 18th century, some of their leaders believed it was necessary to adapt to European ways in order to survive. Those chiefs sealed the fate of their tribes in 1875 when they signed a treaty relinquishing their land east of the Mississippi in return for promises of wealth and better land. The U.S. government used the treaty to justify the eviction of the Cherokee nation in an exodus that the Cherokee will forever remember as the “trail where they cried.” The heroism and nobility of the Cherokee shine through this intricate story of American politics, ambition, and greed. B & W photographs

the Fascinating Portrayal Of The Cherokee Nation,  filled With Native American Legend, Lore, And Religion — A  gripping American Drama Of Power, Politics,  betrayal, And Ambition.

b & W Photographs

library Journal

one Of The Many Ironies Of U.s. Government Policy Toward Indians In The Early 1800s Is That It Persisted In Removing To The West Those Who Had Most Successfully Adapted To European Values. As Whites Encroached On Cherokee Land, Many Native Leaders Responded By Educating Their Children, Learning English, And Developing Plantations. Such A Leader Was Ridge, Who Had Fought With Andrew Jackson Against The British. As He And Other Cherokee Leaders Grappled With The Issue Of Moving, The Land-hungry Georgia Legislatiors, With The Aid Of Jackson, Succeeded In Ousting The Cherokee From Their Land, Forcing Them To Make The Arduous Journey West On The Infamous ``trail Of Tears.'' Popular History For Public Libraries. Mary B. Davis, Museum Of American Indian Lib., New York

-- From the Publisher: The fascinating portrayal of the Cherokee nation, filled with Native American legend, lore, and religion -- a gripping American drama of power, politics, betrayal, and ambition. [ B & W photographs ] -- From Library Journal: One of the many ironies of U.S. government policy toward Indians in the early 1800s is that it persisted in removing to the West those who had most successfully adapted to European values. As whites encroached on Cherokee land, many Native leaders responded by educating their children, learning English, and developing plantations. Such a leader was Ridge, who had fought with Andrew Jackson against the British. As he and other Cherokee leaders grappled with the issue of moving, the land-hungry Georgia legislatiors, with the aid of Jackson, succeeded in ousting the Cherokee from their land, forcing them to make the arduous journey West on the infamous "Trail of Tears." - Popular history for public libraries. Mary B. Davis, Museum of American Indian Lib., New York One of the many ironies of U.S. government policy toward Indians in the early 1800s is that it persisted in removing to the West those who had most successfully adapted to European values. As whites encroached on Cherokee land, many Native leaders responded by educating their children, learning English, and developing plantations. Such a leader was Ridge, who had fought with Andrew Jackson against the British. As he and other Cherokee leaders grappled with the issue of moving, the land-hungry Georgia legislatiors, with the aid of Jackson, succeeded in ousting the Cherokee from their land, forcing them to make the arduous journey West on the infamous "Trail of Tears." ( Library Journal ) Investigations were made in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to determine whether the American Indians were the lost tribes of Judah; and it was pretty well proved both yes and no, and unprovable either way, which made it an excellent topic for study and exploitation, one populated by warm bodies and tearstained faces and beautiful, waiting children. Recounts the many broken U.S. treaties with the Cherokees, describes how they were forced to leave their lands in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina, and looks at the hardships they faced on the trail west. Examines the plight of the Cherokee Indians as they were forcibly moved from their homes to Indian reservations in Oklahoma on the "Trail of tears." Tells the story of the fateful journey of the forced removal of the Eastern band of the Cherokee in 1838