Cherokee Dragon

The Real People #10

by Robert J. Conley

Few writers portray Native American life and history as richly, authentically, and insightfully as Robert J. Conley. Conley represents an important voice of the Cherokee past. The novels in his Real People series combine powerful characters, gripping plots, and vivid descriptions of tradition and mythology to preserve Cherokee culture and history.

In Cherokee Dragon, the tenth novel in the series, Robert Conley explores the life if Dragging Canoe, the last great war chief of the united Cherokee tribe. In the late eighteenth century, as the English settlers begin steadily encroaching upon the Cherokee lands, the Nation divided among several towns and many chiefs?unites in a series of battles. But the united front is not one that lasts: Dragging Canoe’s belief that they must fight the settlers to preserve their lands and their culture is far from universal.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Native American, Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2000

About the author

Robert J. Conley was a Cherokee author and enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of American Indians. In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers' Circle of the Americas.

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew little of the Cherokee when they originally inhabited the southeast parts of the country. But it seems that from the first moment European whites set foot in what is now America they were a doomed people. From smallpox to land grabbing and treaties the Native Americans were forced to live by and the white ignored. Being based on true events and prevented as actually as possible breaks my own heart to know we destroyed such a people. They weren’t perfect but still how can anyone trust a government who lies outright to a people they promise to protect. These pages follow Dragging Canon and the fall of the Cherokee decades before the fated Trail of Tears and it saddens my heart to relive such destruction.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherokee Dragon is the 3rd Robert J Conley historical fiction novel that I have read; previously I read Mountain Windsong and Wil Usdi. I appreciate the author’s balanced treatment of Cherokee history, his works are well researched, his prose flows easily. The novel’s protagonist is the great war Chief Tsiyu Gansini (Dragging Canoe) who led the united Cherokee tribe during the turbulent times leading up to and following the Revolutionary War.

[Danielle Apple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for people wanting to learn about pre revolutionary war land issues and treaties. Finally a look at history from a Cherokee perspective. Conley doesn't shy away from the ugly parts of war but gives the whole thing. He uses the real historical figures, events, and culture to tell a story of what happened to shape Dragging Canoe's life and his actions.

[Jennifer Delamarter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started this book and was really enjoying it, as it is on a time-period/history/cultures I study and consisted mostly of history and culture, woven together with a little bit of plot-line to keep the historical information moving. Unfortunately, less than a third of the way into the book there was premarital, explicit sexual content, fringing on erotica. I had been enjoying the book very much up to then and was shocked and disappointed. I always carefully avoid that kind of material and had not expected to have to deal with it in a book that was largely history; it was a very stressful and upsetting experience for me.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biography of the famous Cherokee war leader Tsiyu Gansini (Dragging Canoe). Simply written but engaging and full of fascinating details of tribal life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

[Dennis Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. My kinsman George Lowrey was a sub chief under Dragging Canoe.