Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of Tears

by Robert J. Conley

Book Overview

Set against the tragic events of the Cherokees' removal from their traditional lands in North Carolina to Indian Territory between 1835-1838, Mountain Windsong is a love story that brings to life the suffering and endurance of the Cherokee people. It is the moving tale of Waguli (Whippoorwill") and Oconeechee, a young Cherokee man and woman separated by the Trail of Tears. Just as they are about to be married, Waguli is captured be federal soldiers...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806127465
• ISBN13: 9780806127460
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

The best of the best!

This book captured every bite of my attention. I don't usually enjoy reading books, but as soon as I began reading each chapter, I was rilled in like a fish on a fishing rod. Assigned to me by my instructor, Mountain Windsong exemplifies the true clamities of the Cherokees' removal from their origionality in North Carolina to Indian Territory, which began in 1835, ending 1838. I was engossed by Robert Conley's remarkable love story of Waguli("Whippoorill") and Oconeechee, two Cherokees in love, who are torn apart by the Trail of Tears. Waguli and thousands of other Cherokee get caught by federal sodiers and are taken west, to Darkening Land, Oklahoma. Waguli excapes twice and is caught by the soldiers, therefore, is beaten and tied up. I shared Waguli's sadness, due to the deaths of others around him, and his depression and insult, which resulted in him becoming an alchoholic. Meanwhile, Oconeechee, who is the epitome of a perfect woman; however, edures the death of her father and the loss of Waguli. Still free and hiding in the mountains with others who excaped the grasps of the soldiers,she begins to search for Waguli. Destined to find her true love, she finds herself engulfed in an adventurous journey along the Trail of Tears. Robert Conley's tellings of the documented history flows perfectly along with the love story of Waguli and Oconeechee. I visualized the characters just as Conley described them. Also he made me fell as if I was in the same time frame and was going through the same trails and tribulations as the Cherokee. This book deeply moved me and I felt a bitter since of betayal by our govenment, due to the knowledge I've gainned from this well writen book. This book is the best book I have read. I truely understood and felt the drastic effects that the Trail of Tears infringed upon the Chrokee Nation; changing it forever.

The novel that keeps you reading!!

In Robert J. Conley's Mountain Windsong a novel of The Trail of Tears, he thoroughly descibes the Cherokee nation. He gives us an imaginery view of their cultural style and does an excellent job indicating their beliefs. He is a superb writer. I definitely recommend others to read this fabulously written book that keeps you on the edge of your seat! Also if you enjoy love stories then you'll love this book.

A good book

Mountain windsong has an interseting perspective about the cherokees moving out west. Anyone looking to find information about the cherokees get Mountain Windsong a novel of the Trail of Tears.

you are most definitely drawn into the story; wonderful!

Using 4 different techniques and perspectives, Robert Conley really draws you into the tragic story of the Trail of Tears. Although ultimately the legendary lovers do not meet horrible ends, with the switches between grandfather and grandson, the legal documents drawn by the U.S. government, a song and the romantic story of two perhaps fictional Native Americans torn apart by the Trail of Tears, the book is impossible to put down. Both heart-wrenching and heart-warming! Definitely a must if you want to understand America's history a little more and engage in some leisure reading. Perfect for vacations.

A love story during one of history's most tragic events.

Robert J. Conley is a masterful storyteller who skillfully weaves an old story into a modern background. He starts with a grandfather and his grandson listening to the wind. Through their conversations, we are introduced to two lovers from the days of the Trail of Tears, when the world of the Cherokee people is shattering around them. Through the voices of his modern characters, Conley reveals some of the current aspects of Cherokee life. He also makes use of government documents from Andrew Jackson and others of that era, which though difficult to read, reveal exactly what the Cherokee were handed by the U.S. government.