The Education of Little Tree

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Summary: A humorous and touching yet realistic story.
Review: The voice of a five-year old is all innocence, but is the most piercing and effective way to reveal what is out of balance in the world of adults. Little Tree, a part-Cherokee boy, describes the world as he experiences it when he is taken into the care of his grandparents in the Tennessee hills. This is one of the most clear-headed, absorbing, and touching autobiographical works I have ever read. Strongly recommended!

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Summary: Excellent book; did Carter really write it?
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. Halfway through, I read the information about the author, Forrest Carter, indicating that Mr. Carter was a racist and white supremacist. I felt terrible thinking that this gentle, un-prejudiced (except maybe against whites and politicians) book could be written by such a person. I have chosen denial as the proper response: The book may be 100% fiction, but I don't think it was written by any sort of narrow-minded person. Has anyone considered that Mr. Carter may have been a "front man" for the real author, and that the real author is someone who DID experience some of the events of the book? This is what I believe. You'll believe it, too.

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Summary: Outstanding!!!
Review: This book touched my heart and soul. The wisdom and spirit of the Cherokee is so thought provoking, I wanted to write down, from every chapter, at least one lesson to live by.

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Summary: Simplicity and truth in one book
Review: I have read and re-read this book for simple truths which lift me out of the contradiction and complication of our modern society. Fortunately, I have had the good fortune of personally knowing someone with the special regard and respect for nature, lending me with an especially keen fondness for this book. It seems very real to me, as many of the things little tree was taught, were taught to me. I and my "mentor" have seen the out of the way places here in Georgia on isolated stretches of the Flint River, as well as many other local areas long forgotten. So I learned the way personally. I can only hope I can remember all I was taught. This book is real.

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Summary: A book that will put your life in perspective!
Review: This is a truly moving book. It has a trmendous amount to offer. The Education of Little Tree will make you want to slow down and appreciate nature and family. This book forces you to think about the horror of prejudice, the power of nature and the importance of family. Written in a simple, straightforward manner, the book is full of life lessons. Read this book and dicuss it with a friend or family member. It is an important read!

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Summary: Take the journey of a life time.
Review: Little Tree won my heart, touched my soul by the love of his grandparents and Nature. The only other book that moved me this way was WALKING THE TRAIL by Jerry Ellis which chronicles his 900 mile walk along the Trail of Tears.

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Summary: A Book You'll Want To Share
Review: I think The Education of Little Tree is exceptional because, at its end, the reader feels a tremendous desire to pass the book on to a friend. Many novels leave you thinking, and you are content with your own journey to the author's world. The Education of Little Tree is different. After you read the final page you are determined that others will also visit Little Tree's mountain home. Why is this? Why do we readers all feel the need to share this novel? I think we want others to be as touched as we were, and continue to be, by this beautiful, beautiful story. What a world! Not only are the relationships loving and supportive, the kind we would all like to experience, they are of a time long gone. This is a wistful book; you yearn for Little Tree to be happy as you yearn for your own world to be as complete and connected to nature.

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Summary: a book for all ages.
Review: As a 57 year old avid reader, this is the first book in years that brought tears to my eyes. Watching over Little Tree's shoulders as he was introduced to his new life with his Grandparents, I thought "how lucky you are" in a time when kids get far too little time spent with grandparents. A beautiful, warm introduction to life in that time and at that place. I'm going to read it again real soon.

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Summary: The book and the man are not the same
Review: What a pity that critics of this book focus solely on the fact that this book was originally promoted as an autobiography, and that sad past of the author.Today both of those misconceptions have been well documented. The book is a novel. While I loath what Carter apparently stood for in his "other life," there is no denying that this book is deeply moving. Separating the author's views from his work is what's need here. I do it with brilliant actress Vanessa Redgrave, and I can do it here.READ THIS BOOK!

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Summary: Joy, love and tears--a beautiful story of life.
Review: I read four pages of this book, looked up and said to my wife, "This is going to be one of the best books I've ever read." It never once let me down. The story of Little Tree, a Cherokee boy who, after losing his parents during the Great Depression at age five, went to live with his grandmother and grandfather in the hills of Tennessee. Living in a remote cabin with Granma, Granpa, and his favorite dog Blue Boy, Little Tree learns to live in concert with the land--what the Cherokee calls "the way." He learns lessons of life as only those with great love and integrity can teach them. Written in first person from the perspective of the boy, this beautifully-told story will live with you years after the last page has been turned.