Cherokee History
History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the
Cherokees by James Mooney -- Detailed, thorough history of the tribe
plus traditional stories and religious practices.
Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation by John
Ehle -- Ehle's style with an excellent, unbiased history of the tribe leading up to the forced removal.
Cherokee Tragedy: The Ridge Family and the Decimation of a People
by Thurman Wilkins -- An excellent work on the Ridge faction of
the Cherokee Nation from 1790-1840. This is a "must read" for
those interested in the events leading to the Trail of Tears and
the assassination of the Treaty Party leaders.
John Ross: Cherokee Chief by Gary E. Moulton -- The life of the
most famous Cherokee Chief who served from 1828 to his death in
1866.
Old Frontiers: The Story of the Cherokee Indians from Earliest
Times to the Date of Their Removal to the West, 1838 by John P.
Brown -- An excellent and thorough history of the Cherokees in
the 1700's and early 1800's. Emphasis is on the Chickamauga
faction and their raids and warfare with the ever encroaching
white settlers. (If you find it, buy it - may be out of print).
The Cherokees by Grace Steele Woodward
Cherokee Removal: Before and After edited by Wm. L. Anderson -- A
collection of essays by noted authors on topics relating to
conditions before, during, and after the Trail of Tears.
The Cherokees and Christianity, 1794-1870: Essays on
Acculturation and Cultural Persistence by William G. McLoughlin
After the Trail of Tears: The Cherokee Struggle for Sovereignty
1839-1880 by William G. McLoughlin -- Discusses efforts of the
Cherokee Nation to maintain independence with the complications
of internal factionalism.
Redbird Smith and the Nighthawk Keetoowahs by Janey B. Hendrix --
A straight forward account of the Nighthawk Keetoowahs, led by
Redbird Smith, and their opposition to the allotment of Cherokee
land before Oklahoma statehood. Intended to provide unbiased
viewpoints of those for and against allotment.
Fire and the Spirits: Cherokee Law from Clan to Court by Rennard
Strickland -- Traces the evolution of Cherokee Law from tribal or
clan law to a more Euro-American form.
And Still the Waters Run: The Betrayal of the Five Civilized
Tribes by Angie Debo -- This book documents the "orgy of
exploitation", graft, and corruption that followed allotment and
Oklahoma statehood. "Within a generation the Indians were almost
stripped of their holdings, and were rescued from starvation only
through public charity."
The Texas Cherokees: A People Between Two Fires, 1819-1840 by
Dianna Everett -- The history of a group of Cherokees which left
the Western Cherokees and settled in Mexican Texas. They were eventually forced
from Texas in a bloody battle with the Texas Army and moved to the southern border of
the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory.
Mankiller: A Chief and Her People by Wilma Mankiller with Michael
Wallis -- Aspects of Cherokee culture and history are interweaved
with the story of Mankiller's life.
The Last Cherokee Warriors by Phillip W. Steele -- Actually two
separate histories: Part 1 is the story of Ezekiel Proctor, the
only "individual" the U.S. Government ever made a treaty with;
Part 2 is the story of Ned Christie, an influential Keetoowah
branded as an outlaw by the U.S. Government.
The Cherokee Crown of Tannassy by William O. Steele -- "A
slightly [very] embellished account of events and designs and
adventures as reported by Sir Alexander Cuming in his brief
Journal, which appeared in the Historical Register of London for
1731." Cuming ventured into the Cherokee Nation in 1730 with the
aid of Ludovic Grant and convinced seven young Cherokees
(including future chief, Attakullakulla, the "Little Carpenter")
to visit England and King George II.
The Cherokee People: The Story of the Cherokees from Earliest
Origins to Contemporary Times by Thomas E. Mails -- Covers
Cherokee society, religion, traditions, tribal organization, etc.
Lots of illustrations.
Copyright
© 1996 Ken Martin
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