Trail of Tears

The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation

By: John Ehle

Narrated by: John McDonough

A sixth-generation North Carolinian, highly-acclaimed author John Ehle grew up on former Cherokee hunting grounds. His experience as an accomplished novelist, combined with his extensive, meticulous research, culminates in this moving tragedy rich with historical detail.

The Cherokee are a proud, ancient civilization. For hundreds of years they believed themselves to be the "Principle People" residing at the center of the earth. But by the 18th century, some of their leaders believed it was necessary to adapt to European ways in order to survive. Those chiefs sealed the fate of their tribes in 1875 when they signed a treaty relinquishing their land east of the Mississippi in return for promises of wealth and better land. The U.S. government used the treaty to justify the eviction of the Cherokee nation in an exodus that the Cherokee will forever remember as the "trail where they cried". John McDonough narrates with thoughtful gravity. The heroism and nobility of the Cherokee shine through this intricate story of American politics, ambition, and greed.

©1988 John Ehle (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC

Difficult Story that needed to be told

I live in NW Georgia and wanted to know more about this story after seeing a documentary on TV. Along with completing this audiobook it inspired me to go out and visit the sites that are apart of The Trail of Tears National Historic site in my local area

The courage to rewrite history

I admire the courage of one man, the inability to die without correcting the atrocious behavior committed by the so called civilized people of the United States upon the Cherokee people, and all indigenous true Americans.

A lot that I should have known

I grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the National Capital of the Cherokee’s. I went to the Trail of Tears play when I was a kid, but time does make a difference. This book is detailed and shows several aspects that I was not aware of. Worth the time for sure!

Very Readable History of the Cherokee Nation

John Ehle traces the history of the Cherokee Nation, focusing on the decades leading to Trail of Tears. He provides a balanced perspective across the various parties involved.

While I enjoyed the author's writing, I found the narrator's frequent swallowing was unbearable at normal speed. I had to listen to most of the audiobook at 1.7X speed to make it tolerable.

AMAZING, eye opening!!!

I've heard and read about the Tail of Tears before but this is a window into the American frontier when the frontier was here in western North Carolina. The politics and the events are revealed in this book as I had never any idea of.
I've never like Georgia and now I am resolved to never spend a dime of my money in that state! Also revealing was the insight into Andrew Jackson. The crimes against these people are nothing short of horrific.
It's also eye opening that the Cherokee had slaves and plantations and college educated tribal WELL before the infamous Trail of Tears.

Superb oration

If you could sum up Trail of Tears in three words, what would they be?

Tragically trying Americanize

What didn’t you like about John McDonough’s performance?

None

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The performance of Audible was horrible and left me Frustrated by having to start it all over again every time it stopped. It stopped every 5-10 minutes, sometimes more often. I got Audible because I have no time to read and wanted to be able to listen while I work. This makes it almost impossible.

The history I should have learned

It was so eye-opening and informative! That is exactly what I needed to know, and I appreciate this great piece of work!

Very sad.

Will people ever learn to live by the Golden Rule? We all look the same under the skin.

Good overall of a half century of the Cherokee

Narrator was decent, his voice definitely has an Indian accent. Story is very comprehensive but kinda bogs down in the center. Overall good for people wanting to understand what led up to the trail of tears

Excellent historical review

I was told this story in high school; this is the first historical book I’ve read on the subject. Two facts everyone can take from this book- if you let the government disarm you, the government will control you completely. Also, the government’s commitment to due process is a myth; if you let them, they will treat you just like they treated the Cherokee & later the plains tribes.