Education of Little Tree [Hardcover]

Forrest Carter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1986

The super-seller memoir of a Cherokee boyhood in the 1930s. The most sensitive and evocative autobiographical account ever of the Cherokee way, as seen through the eyes of a young boy in the Appalachian Mountains.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Some of it is sad, some of it is hilarious, some of it is unbelievable, and all of it is charming.” --The Atlantic --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

The Education of Little Tree tells of a boy orphaned very young, who is adopted by his Cherokee grandmother and half-Cherokee grandfather in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee during the Great Depression. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Buccaneer Books (January 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899665365
• ISBN-13: 978-0899665368
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (246 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,239,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What I Learned From Little Tree, January 7, 2002

By 

Matt Tietjen (Killingworth, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Education of Little Tree (Paperback)

Unlike the reader from LA, I fail to see why the University of Mexico Press should feel obligated to "alert" the reader of Forrest Carter's ugly past. I think that removing the "True Story" subtitle was all that had to be done. After finding out about Carter's hideous background, I read the book backwards and was relieved to find no hidden racist manifestos or prayers to Satan. When reading the book frontwards what I discovered was a potentially life-changing, hilarious, sad and ultimately uplifting tale that left me convinced of the universal beauty of the human spirit. As far as racial and cultural issues go, this book - if anything - made me even more understanding of different cultures and more sensitive to the background of Native Americans. In fact, I was so inspired after I turned over the last page, that I hastily filled up all of the blank pages at the end with my own reflections. I remember exclaiming to a friend who walked by that I had just finished one of the best books I had ever read. Of course I felt somewhat betrayed when I first learned the truth behind the book's author (this morning). I was also very disappointed - and still am - that such a wonderfully inspiring plot and cast of characters never actually graced the often-uninspiring "real world" in which we live. But then I looked back at the notes I had written upon completing the book. My first thought had been "As a society we need to understand and tolerate our differences." The irony here - that a former KKK leader had inspired these notes - did not escape me. Rather, I discovered that I was still learning from "Little Tree." If even the most ugly and evil people can harbor inside them a potential to inspire strangers to understand and even "kin" each other despite our differences, then isn't there hope for the human race? Society today is sick with racism and disrespect for each other and for nature. We need to change that, and reading "Little Tree" is as good a first step as any. Many famous writers - while troubled or despicable as individuals - have still managed to pass down priceless bits of beauty or wisdom that have touched and will continue to touch the lives of millions of readers in generations to come. The University of Mexico Press could always change the publisher's note on the back cover to: "Former KKK leader lies about his past." Heck, they could even insert an author's picture of old Forest in a white hood burning a cross. They could. But all that would happen is less people would read "Little Tree" and, unfortunately, miss out on a great lesson in tolerance, love and understanding. "The Education of Little Tree" is masterpiece; you will laugh a lot, cry some, and leave it feeling like you have gained more wisdom than many people will gain in a lifetime.

52 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming..., May 20, 2006

By 

Kristy A. Krause (Stockton, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Education of Little Tree (Zia Book) (Library Binding)

My grandmother gave me this book years ago as a birthday present, and my copy shows definite signs have having been read and reread many times over. I never grow tired of reading it, and it makes me feel good every time I open it up.

I'll accept what other reviewers of Cherokee descent have stated here that this is not an accurate depiction of their way of life. Here's the kicker though...I did not read this book to learn about the Cherokee, so the fact that it is not a true portrayal is not a concern to me. The family could just as easily have been German, Chinese, Russian, or Arab, it wouldn't have made any difference.

I'll also accept that Forrest (Asa) Carter was a racist, segregationist, KKK member. Mr. Carter is gone, and I don't know, nor will anyone else ever know, what his true motivation behind writing this story was.

What is more important is the overall message that this book portrays, and it is NOT one of racism. It is an endearing account of a little boy's relationship with his grandparents and their lives together in the mountains during the Depression. The wonderful thing is that it is told from the viewpoint of a 5 year old. He is too young to understand much about the adult world around him, and it is interesting to see his interpretations of the various things he experiences. He has a child's innocence, and is still able to view even the simplest things with wonder and can derive enjoyment from them. Five year olds today need an explosive video game to be so entertained.

The characters are well developed, a bit oversimplified, but intensly human. The writing is incredibly descriptive, and provides the reader with a vivid mental picture of what is happening. It teaches the pleasure of slowing down and paying attention to the little things that are happening in the world, like watching a spider trying to build its web across a creek. It demonstrates the comfort and closeness derived when being separated from loved ones by looking at the same star or lighting a candle at the same time.

As for stereotypes, I didn't find it here. Some people have stated that the fact that Little Tree and his grandparents are uneducated reflects a negative Native American stereotype. I don't believe this to be the case in this book. They are uneducated, yes; but in that place and time in history, so were many people, of many races.

Overall, this is a rich story about the strength of love and family, hardships and overcoming them, and slowing down and finding wonder wherever you can. About looking at the world through the innocent eyes of a child.

If you are looking for a fast paced action thriller, do not read this book. If you are looking to read a book that is a true and accurate portrayal of Native American life, this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for a nice, feel-good story, then don't pass this book up!

For those who are bent on picking apart and finding fault in this book, well I suppose one could find fault in anything if you look hard enough for it. There are some people who just spend their lives looking for the worst in everything, and as a result, miss out on life's simple pleasures, one of which is this book.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best books ever...., August 17, 2005

By 

Oll E. Oksen-free "Em" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Education of Little Tree (Paperback)

Yes, yes, yes, we all know that the author was a former racist, that his romantic childhood in the Appies was cooked-up, and that it isn't exactly an accurate portrayal of the Cherokee culture. The real question is, what do I, as a reader get out of this book? What do I feel is the message? If Forrest Carter's main objective was to assimilate Indian stereotypes and white supremist ideals into our minds, then he has failed. Judging by the vast array of reviews I have read, many people get a message of love, tolerance, and respect for nature, irregardless of certain errors in the book. If Forrest Carter's objective was to teach these morals, then he certainly succeeded.

Even Dee Brown, author of Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee saw the importance of the story. "It's the book that counts, not the author...what does it matter who the author is? Most nonfiction books are part fiction."

Regardless of the authors motives this novel remains an enduring piece of beauty, on the highest echelon that books can reach.