The forced removal of the Cherokee people from their homelands along the Trail of Tears is one the most infamous episodes in U.S. history. However, the history of the Cherokee people is more expansive than just a series of tragedies and losses. Readers discover the complex story of this Native American group as they learn about the struggles they went through but also the heroic efforts they undertook to keep their culture alive despite those struggles. The meticulously researched main text is supplemented by sidebars that add context, as well as arresting images from the past and present.