Toward the Setting Sun

Toward the Setting Sun: John Ross, the Cherokees and the Trail of Tears by Brian Hicks

I appreciate true American history. The story of what happened to our Native American ancestors maintains a low profile in most history books. What children learn in school is shallow and often inaccurate. It is a period that can be learned from, but is often ignored. Hicks tells the tragedy of the Cherokee people in a detailed, rich manner. The sad history of this proud people is given the respect it deserves.

Throughout the book you can see how the Cherokees tried to adapt to the changes happening around them, but sometimes adapting is not enough. Everything was stripped from these people.

Could something like this happen again in America? It happens every day in different areas of the world. And the way some people believe that their morals and ideals are superior to others is what creates a tragedy like this. Something to think about with the current political climate.

Moving, educational and insightful.

At Home

History enthusiasts, you must read ”At Home” by Bill Bryson. If you are intrigued by how things came to be, this is the book for you! It is interesting and quite educational.

Bryson starts in each room of an old home and discusses the evolution of things pertaining to that space. I loved reading how things have changed over the years.

One of my favorite portions is how women’s roles and rights in society have changed. At the time I was reading it (and still) it seems that certain groups in society want to move women backward, into those antiquated roles. This is very concerning. 

Bryson, in the end, leaves you thinking of the way things will continue to change and where that might end.