Customer Reviews

The Cherokee Dragon: A Novel of the Real People

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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!

This novel is a fictionalized account of the life of Dragging Canoe, an 18th century Cherokee war chief. While the basic facts, events and battles are fairly well in order, there are some glaring errors. This author seems to fail to understand what matriarchy means. He references a male character longing for a son as his heir. In Cherokee culture of the time, the man's political heir would have been his sister's oldest son. As a historian whose works have been published by the Cherokee nation one would expect better. This novel's point of view give credence to some critics who have labeled Conley as a propagandist for a particular status quo within the Cherokee nation's history. In the words of the late Wilma Mankiller, the history of the Cherokee in the past 400 years is the history of the struggle against patriarchial colonialism. Based upon this work, Conley fails to grasp this concept.

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.

Book is good, didn't care for the high lighting. Sent response is very good. Wouldn't mind ordering other Robert J. Conley books without high lighting or other marking from these people.