At the outset, it is 1775, well before the Cherokee’s ‘Trail of Tears.’ This is the beginning of their strife with the Colonists who, in the Cherokee eyes continue to take more land and give back little. Tsi’yugunsini was a Cherokee war chief. His name meant ‘He is dragging his canoe’. The settlers referred to him as ‘Dragon’ as they often felt his fiery opposition in battle. He became the self-adopted father for young seven year old Totsuhwa who had lost his parents and then eventually lost his grandmother. She was a Shaman and had raised him. She taught him well how to prepare and use the medicines they needed. Dragon coached Totsuhwa to give up his fear and taught him how to fight. Totsuhwa became strong in his convictions just like Dragon. As the story progresses, Totsuhwa takes a wife, Galegi, and together they pass down the Cherokee ways to their son, Chancellor.

This is book 1 in the Cherokee Series. With tremendous historical accuracy, it journeys from 1775 to 1821. This book is rather detailed and much more gruesome than I generally read. My interest in the time period and the Cherokee culture moved me forward. The author engaged the reader with many of the Cherokee traditions and recounted several of their stories. Book 2 is Losing St. Christopher and continues onward to 1830 and the implementation of the Indian Removal Act – the ‘trail of tears’. I rated Cherokee Talisman at 3.5 out of 5.

http://www.fictionzeal.com/cherokee-talisman-book-one-cherokee-series-david-mich... ( )

Cherokee Talisman tells the story of one of the greatest Cherokee war chiefs, Tsi’yugunsini. Known to history as the Dragon he joined with the British in the fight against the colonists in the American Revolution. Not because he believed in their side but because they would not remain to take his lands. Or so he thought. He was wise to fear the lies being told by the men coming to purchase the land from his tribe; he knew that trouble was coming.

We all know the sad history of the Native Americans in this country. This book takes us into the lives of the Cherokee with their leader Tsi’yugunsini as he tries to maintain the world he has known all the while realizing that it is changing forever. He adopts an orphan boy Totsuhwa who will continue to fight the battle between what was and what will be.

This is a truly powerful book. It is very well researched and very well written. I was pulled in from the first page and I didn't want the story to end. It was not always easy to read as is the case with tales that cover dark periods in history but Mr. Harding delivers his history with balance and detail. I have not read many books that take place in this period and this is the first from the Indian point of view and I dare say it won't be my last. I do hope that the the story continues as there is so much more to be told. ( )

David-Michael Harding has written a very interesting historical novel of the Cherokee Nation spanning the time of the colonial era of the United States until the Native Americans were systematically removed from their homelands. Many times treaties were signed on colonial "leaves" promising peaceful coexistence with the Cherokee people (and other tribes) in exchange for sections of their homeland. The documents were like leaves in the wind as white settlers moved west from the colonies and the new "American" nation grew encroaching on Native American land. While colonists were engaged in battling British, French, and Spanish enemies, Cherokee and other nations were able to fight off the relatively weak westward push with merciless violence directed at settlers. As the colonies began to dominate and then form agreements with their European competitors, Native American support from these countries in the form of food, guns, and ammunition dwindled. The market for trading scalps and booty from slaughtered settlers and battles with tribal enemies all but disappeared. Everyone knew that treaties with the "Indians" were not worth the paper they were written on, but they did bring some short term peace in the native lands.

The novel follows the lives of a host of interesting characters from 1775 to 1821. The reader gets an intimate look at the culture of a people forced to submit gradually and then quickly to colonial and "American" westward expansion. The portrayal of Colonel (and later General) Andrew Jackson and his role in the destruction of Native American culture in general is surprising. He was ruthless in his war on the Indians and his military occupation of their land. The Cherokee leaders were violently resistant at first to Jackson and other American military units, but realized they would have to increase their efforts at acculturation in order to survive. Often Native Americans were convinced by their progressive tribal leaders that by identifying with the aggressor they would be able to maintain some of their own land and traditions.

In this historical context, the story of well-developed characters unfolds. From a spiritual point of view, Cherokee shaman and warrior Totsuhwa (Redbird) sees the inevitable destruction of his culture. Learning spirituality from his grandmother, and warrior strength from his legendary Cherokee leader and adoptive father, Tsi'yu-gunsini (Dragon), Totsuhwa vows to stay in his tribe's homeland even if it is occupied by "Whites" and the original way of life is modified. He has years of happiness and tears as a respected Shaman living a traditional Cherokee family life and a separate warrior life of battling other tribes and the army of the new American nation. He attempts to to preserve the Cherokee homeland and culture while his tribe is forced to change through violence and submission.

This is an excellent historical novel. I was completely engrossed in the history, characters, and action of the ebook. The pace varies allowing the reader to get a good understanding of the long proud history of the Native American Nations and the relatively quick demise of the tribal cultures. The story of Totsuhwa brings joy, heart pounding excitement, and tears of sadness to the reader. The novel is reminiscent of James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans, with a less formal but consistent writing style and voice. I highly recommend this novel to readers ranging in age from young adult to seniors. I enjoyed very much Mr. Harding's first historical novel, How Angels Die, and am looking forward to a sequel to Cherokee Talisman. ( )