The Proud and the Free

by Janet Dailey

Raised as a child of privilege in the South of the 1830s, Temple Gordon, a Cherokee Indian, is forced to confront tragedy and hardship as the government forces her people westward. By the author of Tangled Vines. Reprint.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction, Native American, Adult Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

Janet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.

Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.

She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.

Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.

Reviews

[Glenda Kinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book with a feeling of melancholy because this was my first book I had read by Janet Dailey one of the great authors of our time since her passing. I knew the subject matter was a sad tragic time in our American history but read it I must for I being a Cherokee descendant on both parents side anything on the Trail of Tears always commands my attention. Of course my heart would cry profusely over the souls lost on this lonesome Trail and I have always wondered just how many died blood I carry in my veins that I will never know. Janet Dailey was blessed with a God given gift of story telling to the point one could almost believe her stories for fact and this is especially true in The Proud and the Free. I almost read it for fact and would like to think I had relatives just like the Blade and Temple. The Trail of Tears is a inexcusable time in our history and one that all should be taught about but it will never be so we must find out thru books such as this one and others but it should be shared some way some how shared with our future generations this sad story of The Trail of Tears!!!

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: "The mud-splattered stagecoach rolled to a stop in front of the Chester Inn, where several people stood on the porch awaiting its arrival."

Eliza Hall has just accepted a post as a tutor for a Cherokee family deep in the Cherokee Nation in what is now Georgia. What she finds when she gets there is not at all what she expected. The family lives on a sprawling plantation and behaves much like any wealthy white family would. The oldest daughter, Temple, is a fiery romantic with eyes for the rebellious neighbor, The Blade Stuart. The family patriarch, Will Gordon is weighed down with concerns for his family and his Nation with the Georgians rumbling for more land and President Jackson promising to relocate all "Indians" to land out west before his term is up. The book follows the family for 10 years during a time of upheaval and tragedy for the Cherokee Nation.

The book provides a well-researched fictional take on the relocation of the Cherokees, also known as The Trail of Tears. It was a very heartbreaking time in America's history, one that very few books talk about. Like most historical fiction I read I learned a lot from this book I didn't know, such as the fact that many slaves owned by the Cherokee ended up on the trail with them, suffering and dying along with their masters. After reading this book, I am very interested in reading some nonfiction about the Trail of Tears.

I enjoyed the portrayal of the female characters in this book. They are all very strong and very strong-willed. They hold themselves and their families together despite devastating blows to their way of life. They do hold traditional female roles of wife, mother, and teacher, but that doesn't make them weak or subjugated to men. They often stand up to men and occasionally have to take on more masculine roles. Temple and Eliza are very compelling characters to read about.

I did have some problems with this book. I expected the sometimes cheesy romance aspect so I didn't mind that too much, but if you are a reader who does take offense to that you may want to steer clear of the book. The lack of motivation in the characters bothered me though. I didn't really feel that the motivation behind the characters' actions was very well explained. The book doesn't explore the thought processes behind decisions as well as it should in my opinion. My other problem is that a lot of the characters are flat and one-dimensional. This is best exemplified with Kipp and Victoria. Kipp is just a violent character and Victoria just cares about her children and you never get to see another side to them. Even Temple and Eliza were at times hard to tell apart (the book mainly switches between their perspectives). Also, though the book's chapter headings started off by stating what month and year the book was in, sometimes it was hard to follow where we were in the timeline. The author even seemed to fall into this confusion a few times. Once she claimed one of the characters was less than a year old when he should have been at least 2.

I still recommend the book, especially for those interested in Native American history. It is very well-researched and provides a lot of factual information about The Trail of Tears for a fictional book. The story is heart-breaking, but hopeful. It gives a nice glimpse into what the lives of normal people would have been like during this tumultuous period.

[Sherry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cheesy and overly predictable. Although I will say that I enjoyed reading about the Cherokee and how they were so wronged by our own United States government. I always knew Andrew Jackson was a jerk. How Americans could be so selfish, concieted and self-rightious. It makes me ashamed of our forefathers. Perhaps I should have read non-fiction about this time period instead of this overly mushy romance novel.

[Bodosika Bodosika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is about the Cherokee nation and the conditions they were subjected to in the process of their relocations buy the USA.

[Misfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Go home and tell your people [the Cherokee] that their only hope for relief is to abandon their nation and remove to the west."

This book is centered around a fictional Cherokee family and puts them front and center with events prior to and through the tribe being forced to remove from their territorial lands - the Trail of Tears. While there is a romantic element to the story (and perhaps a tad too much sex), I wouldn't classify this as a romance novel, and some events that happen (especially during the march to Oklahoma) might be a bit much for some lighter minded readers. Don't pick this up with the expectation of a fluffy romance.

This was an interesting, albeit disturbing read and makes me very ashamed for my nation. My only quibble in the writing was the name of the hero (nickname actually) - The Blade. Just once I would have like to have heard his real name, like when he's sharing intimate moments with his wife, but no - every time he's mentioned it is The Blade, and I felt I was being clubbed over the head with it. Still worthwhile for those interested in this period.

[Cindy Kester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much history in this book for me. It took place during the troubling times of slavery and our Native American's troubled times in the 1830's. A true love story if you're into historical fiction you may enjoy. I was glad when I was finished, although it had a happy ending.

[D.R. Oestreicher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Proud and The Free by Janet Dailey (historical fiction) follows two Cherokee families through the 1830s, The Trail of Tears. The novel open with the luxurious live on wealthy plantations with large manor houses, fancy furnishings, and black slaves. Over the course of the decade they are in denial of the serious efforts to remove them from Georgia until the army shows up. The ones that survive the ordeal start over in Oklahoma.

An engaging novel which combines the Trail of Tears history with the lives and loves of these two families. Dailey is a romance author, but this book is more history than romance.

For my detailed report: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2018/0...

Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20... for book recommendations.

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't get into or read all the political talk going on, but the love story involved is touching and kept me reading it. It's heart breaking, tragic and filled with love and endurance.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one my favorite books of hers and I still have it. just loved it.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janet Dailey has written a fictional historical novel that you will believe it is factual when/if you read it. I highly recommend you reading this heart breaking, well written book on the plight of the Cherokee Indians as the faced being brutally chased from their homes and traversed the horrible Trail of Tears. Shame on the politics of that horrible time.
Built into the historical fiction is a love story that I enjoyed the many hardships Temple and The Blade faced. I would have given this a 5 star but I felt unfulfilled at the ending. There seemed to be some left unsaid.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about the Cherokee and The Trail of Tears. It is a love story, a tragic story, and a very heartbreaking story. Was such a great opportunity to learn the history of the Cherokee. It is such an educational reading, I was saddened while reading about the Cherokee walking from Florida to Oklahoma, this Trail of Tears had me in tears. A great book by Janet Dailey. Highly recommended reading.

[Cathi Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction which depict the horrors of the treatment of Cherokee Indians in our American History. I learned much and appreciate more of the struggles they have endured, having imagined the story through the lives of the book's true-to-life characters. Entertaining, endearing, educational. But always absorbing and page-turning!

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this story and the struggles of the Cherokee. I would of given it a 5 star but I was very disappointed in the ending. Not knowing what Kipp would do or if he finally realize that the Blade was only thinking of his people. Also if Cecilia was going to cause Temple trouble. There were too many lose ends.

[Susan Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was well researched. I learned more about Cherokee history and the Trail of Tears than I did in my high school history class. Janet Dailey had the ability to transport me back in time. The characters were developed nicely and the story well written. Once again I wish I could have given it 4 1/2 stars however this app does not have that capabilities.

[Diane Hurd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down and it was hard to read too. So many heart ships and trials. If you are trying to read light and feel good this isn't it but love this author so just read a different one of her books or a series. she has some great ones. If you need a good cry maybe this is it.

[Neva Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Janet Dailey. This book is a fictionalized account of the Trail of Tears. While it is fiction, It details some of the actual happenings during this time period using a wealthy Cherokee family.

[Kathryn]

DNF at 21% I am very sad to have DNF'd a Janet Dailey book. I've enjoyed several of her contemporary romances, but this historical just was not doing anything for me. The book was originally published in the 90s that may have had something to do with it.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually don't like historical romance, and this is just ok on the romance side but it has interesting characters. It is an easy and fast read. Sadly it included Cherokee Trail of Tears, a sad part of our history.
*Note, mainly for self - has NO idea that Cherokees were owners of black slaves.

[Juju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very educational about the Cherokees. Depressing how bad they were treated. Not a particularly exciting storyline, but interesting if you like history of native Americans.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good work of historical fiction. The plight of the Cherokees was heartbreaking. This book has forever changed my opinion of Andrew Jackson.

[Lynne Block · Rating 2 out of 5]

Early American history fiction

[Sue Perkinson Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr read

[CorkyNSam92 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will write a better review later. But there is one reason that keeps this from being a higher rating for me.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

historical fiction

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good! I really couldn't put it down. It's about the Cherokee Indian tribe in the 1830's and how they were forced out of their homes in Georgia and moved west by the American's - a part of history I know little about. It was really interesting!

My only criticisms are that it ended rather abruptly and left a few things unresolved in my opinion. Also, there are two pretty descriptive sex scenes that have nothing to do with the story so I would recommend just skimming that part, unless your in to that..

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book almost got a five star; I loved the story, the characters and at times it was hard to stop reading; other times feeling the pain of the Cherokees as they lost so much because of hate and greed-I had to stop reading.

My biggest complaint is that Janet Dailey ends her books to abruptly; this one needed an epilogue to tie things up. There had been too much between Temple and the Blade to end the story with just a couple of lines.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like historical fiction, this was a good read. It is always good for us to look at a historic event, from a new perspective. As the history of the US is written for the most part by Whites, it was good to look at the trail of tears from the view point of the Cherokee. The human perspective reminds us that all people suffer the same.

[Brandi C Smith]

I loved this book. It is a wonderful and tragic story of a Cherokee family and a white teacher. And it's no buckskinned clad people being taught by white teacher. But a teacher expecting just that and learns the beauty and value of a people many took advantage of or made snap judgments about. It's her story and their story as they deal with the stupidity of some people and the hatred of others.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in the book are not real but events are true. It is about the cherokee indians and the trail of tears. They suffered a lot all because others wanted their land and President Jackson would not enforce the law. Reading this will give you a new insight into to indians. It starts slow, so dont give up because it is worth it.