Smith's New Book Discusses What It Means To Be A Cherokee Patriot

By Michael Edward Miller

Smith's New Book Discusses What It Means To Be A Cherokee Patriot

Michael Edward Miller

Chattanooga, TN – In this segment, we speak with Daniel Blake Smith, a St. Louis historian, writer and filmmaker.

His new book, An American Betrayal: Cherokee Patriots and the Trail of Tears tells a seldom-heard tale of Cherokee history. It's the story of leaders such as Major Ridge, Elias Boudinot and John Ridge - the ones who sold Cherokee lands to the federal government in 1835, a precursor to the Trail of Tears tragedy.

History often paints these Cherokees as traitors or sell-outs. But Daniel Blake Smith's new book takes a more balanced view.