Amazon book reviews of John Ehle. Trail of Tears.

Richard C. Geschke 5.0 out of 5 starsAmerica's Shame December 2, 2015 Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase Being a student of 20th century history and in particular WWII, I was always struck by the thinking of Adolph Hitler when he stated that he always admired how America was able to eliminate the American Natives by means of force and political means. He was relating this bit of history as it applied to his formation of pogroms in what is known as the Holocaust. John Ehle brings forth a detailed account of how the Cherokee nation located in Southeastern United States was forcibly removed from their homeland and resettled in Oklahoma. The author starts back in the late 1700’s with the explanation of the heritage and relationships of the Cherokee nation with the government of the United States. In doing this history Ehle shows the efforts made by missionaries and churches to “civilize” the Indians. In doing this history the author shows the intermarriages taking place creating half breed Indians who have learned the English language. With this the author shows such people as John Ross who was key in the many treaties made between the United States and the Cherokees. Going into the Jackson administration we see increased pressure for the resettlement of the Cherokees to move west of the Mississippi. Through a series of many treaties and payment of annuities for lands in the Southeast the Cherokee nation was just delaying the inevitable which was complete relocation to the West. Many of the Cherokee chiefs were bribed and given money for their own personal coffers and the day of the big treaty arrived. Treaty of New Echota, was the basis of the grand movement of the Cherokees to Oklahoma. The Trail of Tears caused much loss of life estimated from 2000 to 6000. They left their way of life behind which they lost their land and their raison d’etre. To me this represents of part of American history which was equal in shame to our heritage of slavery. Read less 7 people found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse Boopsie 5.0 out of 5 starsVery good Read May 29, 2018 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase Another book which is relative to my husband's genealogy. One of the main characters was a direct relative. That said, it is a very interesting book if you are interested about the life and trials of our Indians who actually owned this land which we call the United States before the pilgrims came and then others and wrested their lands from them and sent them West where the land that was furnished to them was dry and rocky and you couldn't raise a flag on it. Helpful Comment Report abuse Connie Kay Baum 5.0 out of 5 starsTears, Indeed. November 9, 2015 Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase Painful and important. This should be required reading for all high school students. Book Clubs would be wise to read and discuss this one. It requires tissues at the ready. The Native Americans have so suffered at the hands of the white man. 5 people found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse See all 189 reviews Write a customer review