Thoroughly researched and eloquently told by author and Spirit family descendant James Barnes, this resonant, non-fiction history showcases the amazing resiliency of a people who refuse to let suffering keep them from maintaining joy, love, and cultural identity. Follow the Spirit family from 1826-1910, through one of the darkest periods of cultural persecution in our nation's history, as they fight, grieve, and advocate for the Cherokee Nation's sovereignty in the face of steep opposition from the United States government. A multi-generational account of perseverance and hope, Barnes skillfully weaves his family's and Nation's history together to bring both alive. Providing both a broad historical canvas for understanding Cherokee history and an intimate view of family lives during the critical periods of removal, the Civil War, and Allotment, this book will resonate deeply with audiences of all backgrounds.