Customer Reviews

Cherokee Blue Eyes: Keeping the Heritage Alive

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My mother is very into her heritage and although her great grandmother is the one who was born in a tribe 100% Cherokee (which means she is much less so, and so on for me) she loved the idea of reading a book about the very rare blue eyed tribes like the one my great grandma came from. However, the title isn't about those few tribes but instead it's a way of representing people who have less indian blood in their DNA and therefore have a greater chance of blue eyes instead of the traditional brown. This is not why I gave it 2 stars though, because even if it wasn't exactly what she wanted to learn about, it was still about Cherokee indians. So my review is not based on her misunderstanding.

My mom ordered me a book when she ordered her own, before reading it yet. My grandmother saw it and wanted one as well. So the three of us have the book and we came to a group decision. My grandmother points out that the author repeats the same things over and over as if to "fill" the book, as she puts it. I agree. My mother points out that he takes a very long time to continually say things that give the effect that he doesn't want to offend anyone, and then gives his opinion (which seems to be the same things re-worded). She also says that she feels as though she learned nothing new from this book. Again, I agree.

My problem is the errors I found in the book. I can't stand when I find typos and such things, it makes me feel as though the book was just spit out and published. For a few, examples near the beginning, on page 4 paragraph 3 he states, "I see ambitious young people that are seeking a chance to become what THAT want to be." Sure maybe I'm being a stickler, but this is something spell check would have caught in no time. So, I ignore it and continue, but only a few pages later I find (what I believe) to be another mistake. Page 7 paragraph 3, he begins to say that people make judgements because he lives 3 hours from a tribe then continues to say, "They are right, there is no possible way that a Cherokee could WONDER that far." I am certain he means "wander", because sure "wonder" may make sense in some sort of strange way but not in the context of the paragraph before and after this sentence.

It may be harsh, but after just these few mistakes a few chapters furter, I gave up. I don't know how my mom and gradmother got through this book, but I just cannot go any further than the first four chapters. This is the first time a book has made me feel like even I could sell something quick.

If you try brown eye contacts, or associate with "someone who is half Cherokee", this does not make you an Indian!
I could put it this way, that this author, by paddling out on a moonlit lake, or "keeping the faith" through some kind of spiritual osmosis DOES lack proper evidence to make you an American Indian.
For these and other gullible statements about Native American Indians you would think it passe to assisting those seeking fame and fortune...Well, I was wrong! Now with the advent of the casino industry every "medicine man" like this preacher and his congregation have come out to take advantage of the Big White commendations, creating tourist industry in certain States, mostly those lacking what are left of the real Indians RE: Fed. Recognized Tribes.
Page 82, Von Cannon states seeking Native Roots has become a THING nowadays.
He was totally disregarding the turmoil and genocide that almost led us to total extinction, long before AND after the TRAIL OF Tears.
I recieved this material post haste and will return it in the same manner.