Customer Reviews

The Cherokee People: The Story of the Cherokees from Earliest Origins to Contemporary Times

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Rev. Mails, a retired Lutheran minister, has produced a classic reference on the Cherokee people. He quotes other historians, including Englishmen who lived with the Cherokees during the 1700 and early 1800's, who believed the Cherokees are descended from the Hebrews (reinforcing Mormon beliefs that Cherokee ancestors came from Jerusalem and were Jews). The chapter on religion is very complete. The drawings, by Rev. Mails himself, are wonderful, as is his attention to detail. The bibliography is extensive.

Nice coffee table book, but a great deal of Mails' stuff is either made-up or borrowed from squirrely popular romanticizations of Cherokee folks. For a general if ideologically out-dated history, see Grace Steele Woodward, for culture see Mooney, Theda Perdue for work specifically on women, and for straight-up historical scholarship, try William McLoughlin's stuff.

Excellent text! Very detailed in explaining the origin, customs, social structure, and ancient ceremonial lore of the Cherokee people. Contains concise information regarding who the Cherokee were prior to European contact, as well as post contact.
Would recommend this text for use in teaching Cherokee Culture and History. A valuable tool for exploring and researching the history of a noble people- The Cherokee.

There are many stories and legends that tell the seeker of True Cherokee Culture and History, "This is the way it was." However, though I have not yet completed this book in totality, it seems to provide the best insight, and believable "Story of the Cherokee People." Until I was perhaps seventy years of age, I had not been aware of my Native American Heritage. When I did discover that I had some connection, I searched diligently for something that would tell me what my native ancestors did, how they loved and how they survived.
This book has engulfed me totally in a wisdom that far exceeds any other into the true culture and history of the Cherokee. Like most American citizens of the United States, we probably all, from colonial times, are mixed blood with the Native Americans.
I was born in Southwest Virginia of poor parents, a coal miner's son, but rich in traditions of honesty and knowing how to survive. My kinfolks were like that and we were proud of our existence, not knowing from whence came our traditional way of life.
This book explains all that and I recommend it to anyone searching for the way they lived, fought and died. Reminds me much of the way our armed forces still serve the country even until today. Amazon opened the door at a affordable price and we respect them and the author - and give thanks for their existence. Old Timer

Would order from them again!!!! Wonderful book about the Cherokee to learn about your heritage...

Haven't read it yet but it is large and has several color pictures and pencil drawings.