‪Blood Moon:An American Epic of War and Splendor in the Cherokee Nation. ⭐️⭐️⭐️‬

“To the Cherokee, balance was everything”: a broad-ranging history of a political rivalry that upset the Cherokee world for more than a century across the face of North America.
Author John Sedgwick dispels any notion that the Native American world was either monolithic or pacific. In the absence of other powers, tribes and alliances of tribes fought for land and influence, and in their presence, they became blunt-force instruments. During the events that led to the War of 1812, for example, Andrew Jackson was successful in co-opting the Cherokee nation to fight the Red Sticks, Creek Indians who had aligned with Tecumseh’s pan-Indian rebellion. Of one leader, Sedgwick writes, “to The Ridge and other enlightened Cherokee, America was their future. Any identification with their fellow Indians was long past.” Given the rank of major, which he would use as part of his name thenceforth, The Ridge advanced the career of a Scottish-sired young man named John Ross, a non–Cherokee speaking member of the nation, who quickly positioned himself as a rival. Both became rich and politically powerful through trade with the Americans, but the Cherokee were poorly repaid for remaining loyal to the young United States: They were effectively given the choice of moving as a nation to Oklahoma or living as Americans in their southeastern homeland. On that question, Ross and Ridge divided again. “Stay or go left no room for compromise,” writes the author. “No words from John Ross or any of the Ridges could ever bridge the gap.” That division persisted: Followers of both parties would contend on issues thereafter, from joining the Confederacy during the Civil War (Gen. Stand Watie, the Confederate cavalry legend, was a follower of Ridge’s) to questions of national sovereignty after the war.

‪Blood Moon is the story of the century-long blood feud between two rival Cherokee chiefs from the early years of the United States through the infamous Trail of Tears and into the Civil War. While little remembered today, their mutual hatred shaped the tragic history of the tribe far more than anyone, even the reviled President Andrew Jackson, ever did.‬

‪It is often hard to find well written books on Native American history and while this book is obviously well researched and written, it tends to get bogged down in the minutia of every tiny detail that is not critical to the story. Casual readers could find this overwhelming. I think it would have been an exceptional read except for that. ‬

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you NetGalley!

Book Talk II 3/16/18
Traci Kenworth

Blood Moon: An American Epic of War and Splendor in the Cherokee Nation. Simon & Shuster. Apr. 10, 2018. Netgalley

Amazon Blurb: This sweeping American epic reveals one of the greatest untold stories of the nineteenth century: the fierce rivalry between two great Cherokee chiefs that led to war, forced migration, and the devastation of a once-proud nation.

Blood Moon is the story of the century-long blood feud between two rival Cherokee chiefs from the early years of the United States through the infamous Trail of Tears and into the Civil War. While little remembered today, their mutual hatred shaped the tragic history of the tribe far more than anyone, even the reviled President Andrew Jackson, ever did.

In this epic saga, John Sedgwick brings to life an untold chapter of American history through the relationship between one chief called The Ridge, a fearsome warrior who spoke no English but whose exploits on the battlefield were legendary, and John Ross, who was the Cherokees’ primary chief for nearly forty years, yet displayed the Scottish side of his mixed-blood heritage and spoke not a word of Cherokee. To protect their sacred landholdings from American encroachment, these two men negotiated with almost every American president from George Washington through Abraham Lincoln. At first friends and allies, they broke on the subject of Removal, breeding an enmity that lead to a bloody civil war within Cherokee Nation that culminated in the two factions battling each other in the War Between the States.

Dramatic, far-reaching, and unforgettable, Blood Moon paints a portrait of these two inspirational leaders who worked together to lift their people to the height of culture and learning as the most civilized tribe in the nation, and then drop them to the depths of ruin and despair as they turned against each other. Theirs is a story of land, pride, honor, and loss that forms much of the country’s mythic past today.

Book Review: This is the story of two chiefs mostly but there are others involved in the history that figure into prominence from time to time. To be honest, I found very little to like in any of those presented here. My sympathies go to the Cherokee Nation who were both torn apart by these leaders and made to suffer poverty and worse. Long ago, I read a story of John Ross that made him out as a hero. This book does not do that. Sadly, he is all too human. So is Major Ridge, his rival. Both try to save their people in different ways. One became a looked-on traitor, the other the principal chief. I found no sympathy either for the settlers described in this book nor the presidents that forced the Cherokees to move. I was so discouraged by this book, I didn’t read the last three chapters. I just couldn’t go on. I don’t understand war and suffering or hurting others to gain something for yourself nor making someone a slave to your whims.

John Sedgwick’s well-regarded ‘War of Two’ was an account of the political duel between Hamilton and Burr, and his latest book, ‘Blood Moon’ details another intense rivalry between two men, namely The Ridge aka Major Ridge (c.1771-1839) and John Ross (1790-1866), two Cherokee leaders. As their names imply, the two were very different, with the former a respected warrior and traditionalist who spoke almost no English whilst the latter was a moderniser of mixed-blood heritage (being partly of Scottish descent), who spoke almost no Cherokee. Although initially allies they disagreed violently on the issue of Removal – the federal government’s proposal to push the Cherokee (and other tribes) westwards, out of their ancestral lands.

It would be simplistic to claim that the competing visions of, and contest between, these two remarkable men wholly determined the fate of the Cherokee – the Trail of Tears ultimately depended upon the superior firepower at the disposal of the federal authorities – but it was clearly a very important factor then and later; helping to account for the fact, for example, that Cherokee fought on both sides in the Civil War.

The conflict between Ridge and Ross provides a superb lens through which to tell the sad story of a proud people. Indeed, it is not too much to say that Ross and Ridge personified the basic choices of accommodation or resistance open to the Cherokee, and Sedgwick does an excellent job of telling their story and thus that of the people they represented.

Although well researched the book does contain a few small omissions. For example, the Reverend Lyman Beecher is mentioned but his daughter Catharine Beecher’s campaigning against Removal goes unremarked. This does not, however, detract from the fact that the tragic story of the Cherokee is epic in scope and in Sedgwick has a very worthy and engaging chronicler.

This book is so engrossing and thorough, I feel as though I’ve completed a college course on "everything you thought you knew about Indian history but didn’t". This is such a well-written, historically accurate and enjoyable read. I had no idea these two Cherokee leaders, The Ridge and John Ross, were so instrumental in the survival and productivity of the Cherokee nation, then as a result of their bitter hatred for one another, the ultimate downfall and despair of their beloved people. It’s a sad read, because of course, given its history; we already know how it ended. Terribly, sadly, embarrassingly; an ending that America still hasn’t acknowledged or come to grips with.
Through reading this, I met so many other colorful and interesting characters that could easily stand alone in their own book. Doublehead was the most impressive. How is it I’ve never heard of this man? What a colorful bloodthirsty warrior, fighting for whatever he, and especially he, wanted. John Sedgwick brings to life others we’ve heard of, but never as lively and humanely as shown here. For example, Tecumseh, Sequoyah, Harriet Ruggles Gold. And he sheds a less glamorous light on Andrew Jackson, well deserved after how he connived and treated the Indians.
This is one of those books that I have to buy in hardback, there’s just too much to absorb and keep at my fingertips that can’t be done in eBook format. I love good historically accurate books, and this one surely outshines so many others.
I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this engrossing novel, and I highly recommend it to anyone with any desire to learn about the Cherokee nation and their fight for survival during the formative years of America.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for making it available.)

This has been one of the most rewarding histories I've read in last months, if not year. Perhaps slightly OTT at times in the narrative style, it is a piece of Americana that I had no idea of, and it greatly enhances my understanding of political nous of people under pressure. It is reflected in immigrants today trying to bargain with the principal powers in the land and still maintain their own strengths. I won't forget it.

Blood Moon is quite an intriguing and interesting read. I highly recommend it for all history buffs. 5 stars.

John Sedgwick is a professional and gives a very entertaining story about the history of the internal politics of the Cherokee Nation. Without a doubt it is entertaining. Also it is well researched. Sadly this is also the source of its deficiencies. Sedgwick loves dramatic, over the top and sensationalist description. He wants to weave a riveting yarn. I personally feel he does this at the expense of giving a clear, readable and respectful history of one of the most important societies and civilizations of the Americas.

That said, there is very little out there to match the breadth of research and importance of the subject in respect to First Nations history. As such its well worth the read, although you may sigh occasionally as the to excitable and bizarre descriptive capacity of Sedgwick.

I really connected with this book. I have Cherokee in me. Very fascinating story, you don't see many books like this out there. Trust me I have looked. Thank you to the author for this insight.

Oh my gosh, if you like real history this is it

Two Chiefs, one tribe, and a hungry America. Battles, bloodshed, and a true tale and trail of tears in the Cherokee nation. More of our history just waiting for YOU TO DISCOVER IT! Great job done here!!

I learned much while reading this book about the Cherokee Indians and their two prominent leaders of the 19th century. There was much I didn't know about their removal from Georgia and the surrounding states which is often known as "The Trail of Tears". Thank you author John Sedgwick for all of this information. I thoroughly enjoyed this book although I felt it would have been just as good or even better if it had been a bit shorter and concise.

Well written and researched history of the Cherokee Indians and their two most visible, powerful and influential leaders throughout the 19th century before, during and after their removal from The Blue Ridge Mountains in NC/TN/GA to AK/OK via the Trail Of Tears.

<b>5 rival stars to Blood Moon</b> 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

I’ve read some great nonfiction during the last year, and I’ve always said, the best nonfiction reads as smoothly as fiction. Blood Moon fits right into this category. Who knew that two rival chiefs of the Cherokee caused turmoil and destruction, so much so, that it would arguably exceed that caused by Andrew Jackon’s work and The Trail of Tears.

John Ross was the primary chief of the Cherokee for a number of years, and his polar opposite in stature, skin color, and beliefs about the future of the Cherokee, would be The Ridge, who had also been Ross’ closest confidante and aide. These two would split and their decisions impacted every facet of Cherokee life for over 100 years.

Following the birth of The Ridge all the way through the Civil War and just after, this book is epic in its scope, abundant in its research, and fulfilling in its storytelling. John Sedgwick is an author to watch.

Thank you to John Sedgwick, Simon & Schuster, and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review this fine nonfiction novel.