Trail of Tears

Rating:
Summary: A trail to your own tears.
Review: A moving history of the Eastern Native Americans up to their removal to the West. Jahoda covers most of major tribes in the East. A history that should make any American ashamed and outraged. Jahoda's writing and story telling is excellent and moves one to tears.

Rating:
Summary: Moved To Tears On The Trail
Review: Being of Cherokee heritage, I was moved to tears as I again revisited the injustice that fell upon my ancestors. All American Native Indians are to be honored by the telling of the stories from generation to generation.

"Proud Cherokee"
~Marge Tindal~1999

The blood that courses through my veins
Runs true to the Cherokee.
I am the blood of my people.
I am Cherokee.

The trail that my forefathers walked,
Saturated in their tears,
The trail has become my trial
I listen with their ears.

I heard the wailing of the Cherokee
Proud of the salty tears,
I cry the tears of the Cherokee
Even after all these years.

I walk the trail that they cried,
I hear their voices frail,
I bear the blood of the Cherokee.
Damn this worthless trail.

Trail of tears of the Cherokee,
Long remembered in shame.
I cry out for the Cherokee.
I wear the Cherokee name.

Hear me loud and hear me clear,
No head hung in sorrow
For I am the proud Cherokee
Waiting for tomorrow.

I will regain what my forefathers lost.
I will stand and show my pride.
And all the spirits of the lost Cherokee
Will be standing at my side.

I am the proud Cherokee.
You'd do well to remember my name.
In the name of all Cherokee
My rights I do reclaim.

I am Cherokee<~~~~>

I am Cherokee<~~~~~>

I am Cherokee<~~~~~~>

Rating:
Summary: A Sad Part of American History
Review: I read this book right after Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. Together they tell the sad tale of how the original inhabitants of the US were moved from their original lands to make way for the US movement west. I enjoyed this book a little more than Bury My Heart, I felt like I got to know some of the characters a little better in this one. But both are worth reading for anyone interested in this sad chapter of US history.

Rating:
Summary: Still instructive
Review: Jahoda's "Trail of Tears" is a good companion to Dee Brown's "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" - in fact, Brown basically picks up where Jahoda leaves off both chronologically and geographically. Although hardly comprehensive (such an account of the Indian removals east of the Mississipi would require many volumes), Jahoda nonetheless provides a rather exhaustive review of the removal of the "five civilized tribes" as well as a number of midwestern peoples. Jahoda notes the particular senselessness of 'removing' the eastern tribes, as many had already been integrated into the lifestyle of the American settlers (some even became major plantation owners, complete with slaves) and/or became devout Christians. What comes out here is that it was not a matter of dealing with 'savages' but racism, plain and simple. Needless to say, "Trail of Tears" is not only an illuminating history but also a rather instructive text.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent description of "Trail of Tears" events.
Review: Raises your awareness of what happened to many Native Americans in the last century, and why and how it happened.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This book tells the sad story of what happened to Native Americans (a case of genocide) in a very readable format. It is also very educational and should be mandatory for American History classes.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This is an amazing book. Tireless research and the author's gift of vision and words produces a magnificently readable narrative of the American Indian Removals. Very balanced with no point of view overlooked. Many surprising appearances. And plenty of twists which will make you laugh outloud and break your heart. A very human book. An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to learn history as through the eyes and ears (and hearts) of those experiencing it. You won't be able to put it down.

Rating:
Summary: A very human book
Review: This is an amazing book. Tireless research and the author's gift of vision and words produces a magnificently readable narrative of the American Indian Removals. Very balanced with no point of view overlooked. Many surprising appearances. And plenty of twists which will make you laugh outloud and break your heart. A very human book. An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to learn history as through the eyes and ears (and hearts) of those experiencing it. You won't be able to put it down.