The Story of the Cherokee People

by Tom B. Underwood

A short history of the eastern Cherokee tribe from ancient times through the colonial period to modern day. Includes an account of The Trail of Tears - the forced removal of the tribe to Oklahoma.

Genres: History

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 1961

Reviews

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in 1961.

According to the price tag on this book, I picked it up at a souvenir store in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I couldn't tell you when for sure, but my best guess is that it was about 45 years ago. This is a small book, almost like a large children's book, so it just moved along with me wherever I went and I never read it until now.

The cover of the book is deceiving. The cover looks like it was written for small children (that is most certainly how I acquired it) but the pictures in the book are much more detailed and complicated, much more like those found in an old-fashioned encyclopedia or an old-style museum. The text is certainly not written for small children, although it does have a slightly paternalistic tone. It feels dated.

The one really strong feature to this book is a seven page testimony about the Trail of Tears from Private John Burnett. Burnett was ordered to accompany the Cherokee because he could speak their language. The inclusion of his story brings the rating for this book up to 3 stars out of 5.

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[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to come across this book and seeing that it was relatively short in length decided to read it in a sitting. It's small but has some nice illustrations and is rendered in a manner that even young children could understand. It doesn't cover a vast array of topics concerning the Cherokee people obviously, but does cover some of the more important basics. Things such as the Trail of Tears, the early migration of asiatic peoples to the US from a land-bridge, and Sequoyah the famous Cherokee man who invented their alphabet are discussed. Also, there is a nice section from an 80 year old man who was an army private who knew the Cherokee people well and provides a touching account of their forced migration from eastern Indian territories to land in the West. Good quick read for younger peoples wanting to learn a little bit about Native American history and hopefully getting the urge to investigate more.

[Rose Klix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very comprehensive but concise book on history of the Cherokee people as well as a section on more current information with an address for further updating. The soldier's letter is repeated in this book as well as in the Cherokee Legends and the Trail of Tears by Amanda Crowe entered herein earlier.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book and read it mostly for my job. My favorite and probably the sadest part is a story directly from a Private who was part of the Cherokee Inian Removal 1838-39. Who better to tell part of the story than a person who was there?