War Woman: A Novel of the Real People [Hardcover]

Robert J. Conley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

Spanning 90 years, from the 16th to the 17th century, this is the story of a remarkable woman--War Woman--as the landscape of the Cherokee people begin to change. From early trading with the Spanish in Florida to the first conflict with the newly arrived English colonists, this sweeping novel of history tells the story of a remarkable people and one woman, believed a witch and very influential, who sees them through this dangerous time.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YAAThe early history of the encounter between the Real People, or Cherokee, and Western Europeans is vividly imagined in this latest saga by a prolific Cherokee writer. Using a few isolated but historically supported discoveriesAthe use of guns by Cherokees during the early European-American invasion, the ruins of an old Spanish gold mine in Cherokee country, the building of a Cherokee town on the site of an abandoned village near Jamestown, VAAthe author creates a fast-moving novel of how these things might have happened. It is told from the view point of War Woman, a name Whirlwind achieves through her extraordinary skills and abilities during each of the various events. This history parallels Whirlwind/War Woman's development from girlhood to maturity and eventually death. Cherokee beliefs, traditions, and way of life are interwoven throughout the story as the Real People come face to face with the beliefs, traditions, and customs of the invading peoples. This is an excellent novel that features strong female protagonists; there are also love interests and fierce battle scenes. It presents a Native American viewpoint of early American history and offers alternative explanations for some of the archaeological discoveries still not explained completely.ADottie Kraft, formerly at Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Conley (Mountain Windsong, 1992, etc.) continues to recreate and celebrate the history of the Cherokee people in fiction with this episodic, speculative story of War Woman and her adventures in the colonial period. Young Whirlwind becomes a witch in order to compensate for the ridicule she receives because her father was a Spaniard. She demonstrates her supernatural prowess by taming rattlesnakes and tornadoes. On a self-motivated expedition to open trade between her village of New Town and the Spanish colonists in Florida, she establishes relations with a benevolent commandant; but then her people are attacked by a wicked Spanish captain and his henchmen. Whirlwind proves her war-like abilities and is soon renamed War Woman. Twenty quiet years pass, and then the Spanish, in search of gold, arrive in New Town. The peaceful Cherokee cooperate reluctantly in the quest. Their fear of prolonged contact with the Europeans seem borne out when some of their young men, including Little Spaniard, War Woman's twin brother, fall helplessly into alcoholism. In the meantime, however, War Woman marries one of the Spanish traders, and the two peoples maintain a wary peace. The plot jumps forward again, to the moment when War Woman, now very old, uses her powers and wisdom to help her people struggle against the encroachment of English colonists from Jamestown. Though their victories are satisfying, they are not permanent, and the fate of the Cherokees seems sealed. Throughout the book, characterization lags behind a plodding plot, wooden dialogue, and little convincing historical detail. The Cherokee are universally brave, strong, handsome, noble, moral, and honest; the Europeans are avaricious, lecherous, crude, insensitive, cowardly, and criminal. There's much idealization here, but very little compelling description. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 357 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312170580
• ISBN-13: 978-0312170585
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,706,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner...., October 26, 2001

By 

S. Jones (Athens, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Woman: A Novel of the Real People (Paperback)

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't bring myself to put it down for long while I was reading it. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and I feel this book is a great example. Being a wilderness instructor in SC, we used to camp at a site called War Woman and so that is how the title was of interest to me in the first place. This book goes into great detail of War Woman's life and I feel does a good job of not glorifying her as well as demonizing her. Conley writes about Native Americans without bias and is very descriptive which allowed for me to visualize the novel while reading it. I'm looking forward to reading more of "The Real People" series in the future.

4.0 out of 5 stars War Moman, July 18, 2011

By 

joe - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War Woman, A Novel (Robert Conley's Real People Series) (Paperback)

Very good book, book in great condition. Sent response time very good. Would like to purchase more Robert J. Conley books from same people.

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile Historical novel - Gripping story, December 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: War Woman: A Novel of the Real People (Hardcover)

The story of Whirlwind, a dynamic Indian woman who becomes War Woman and a leader of her people. The book chronicles her long life and achievements. A little redundant in parts, but well worth the read. I especially liked it because I can relate to the area, especially Dahlonaga, a neighboring town. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Indian history.