Cherokee Dragon: A Novel (Robert J. Conley's Real People Series)

Rating:
Summary: How the Dragon Lost It's breath of Fire
Review: The book is delightful to read and full of dialogue which brings Dragging Canoe to life. I was disappointed with the sketchy description of the battle of Buchanan's Station which was the turning point of the Cherokees as a main force in the area. The arrival of a large force driving off the Indians is not supported by other historic writers.

Rating:
Summary: How the Dragon Lost It's breath of Fire
Review: Until I was 15 years old, I lived in Oklahoma and was vaguely aware that I was part Cherokee. Beyond learning that Sequoyah, (inventor of the Cherokee alphabet), was part of our family tree and that my great, great grandmother came to Indian Territory via the infamous Trail of Tears, I knew little of Cherokee history. I learned in school that the Cherokee Nation, (one of the 5 Civilized Tribes), welcomed the white man and eagerly took up their ways. As a youngster, I was disappointed that my indian ancestors were not more like the exciting and famous indian warriors that stood up to the white invasion into their land. Although on one hand I was disappointed, nevertheless I was proud that at least I had some Native American blood in me. In reading Robert Conley's, CHEROKEE DRAGON, I learned that the Cherokee Nation did have a Warrior Chief who chose to stand and fight against the "confiscation by treaty" of their homes and land. Conley's historical chronicle of Dragging Canoe and the conflicting decisions that faced tribal leaders gives a balanced insight and understanding of the Cherokee politics of the time. Conley does not attempt to defend the new "Americans," and likewise, he offers no defense of the Cherokees, neither those that chose peace nor those that chose resistance. I grew to appreciate and respect the thoughtfulness and reasoning that went into their decisions. Conley presents a portion of Cherokee history that took place before, during and after America's War of Independence, through the eyes of those who became known as The Real People. CHEROKEE DRAGON is a most enjoyable page turner!

Rating:
Summary: CHEROKEE DRAGON - Imminently Readable Insight
Review: Until I was 15 years old, I lived in Oklahoma and was vaguely aware that I was part Cherokee. Beyond learning that Sequoyah, (inventor of the Cherokee alphabet), was part of our family tree and that my great, great grandmother came to Indian Territory via the infamous Trail of Tears, I knew little of Cherokee history. I learned in school that the Cherokee Nation, (one of the 5 Civilized Tribes), welcomed the white man and eagerly took up their ways. As a youngster, I was disappointed that my indian ancestors were not more like the exciting and famous indian warriors that stood up to the white invasion into their land. Although on one hand I was disappointed, nevertheless I was proud that at least I had some Native American blood in me. In reading Robert Conley's, CHEROKEE DRAGON, I learned that the Cherokee Nation did have a Warrior Chief who chose to stand and fight against the "confiscation by treaty" of their homes and land. Conley's historical chronicle of Dragging Canoe and the conflicting decisions that faced tribal leaders gives a balanced insight and understanding of the Cherokee politics of the time. Conley does not attempt to defend the new "Americans," and likewise, he offers no defense of the Cherokees, neither those that chose peace nor those that chose resistance. I grew to appreciate and respect the thoughtfulness and reasoning that went into their decisions. Conley presents a portion of Cherokee history that took place before, during and after America's War of Independence, through the eyes of those who became known as The Real People. CHEROKEE DRAGON is a most enjoyable page turner!