Georgia Books

So we have an incredibly important Supreme Court case that basically defines the rights of Native Americans living on American soil. And the only book devoted to it is a Children's book? What is that about?

It's a very good children's book, and it's worth a read by historians and kids alike. In fact, you SHOULD buy it for your kids... perhaps when they grow up they will take the initiative to actually write a grown-up book on this subject.

Lovely illustrations, good writing style, and excellent use of sources.

This book answered many questions I had regarding my Cherokee ancestry. Should be rated at least 10 stars! Service was exceptional!

"Cherokee Removal: Before and After" is a collection of concise, well written essays that serve as a gateway to the study of Cherokee History. The introduction, by Editor William Anderson, provides an overview for the essays and gives a summary of federal and state attitudes toward the Cherokees. The most interesting argument that Anderson makes is one to cast Andrew Jackson in a more favorable light. Contrary to many historians assertion that Jackson actively sought to remove and destroy Indians, Anderson says Jackson was "legally powerless" to act in favor of the Cherokees when the state of Georgia refused to abide by the Supreme Court's decision for the Cherokees in "Worcester v. Georgia". Anderson argues that Jackson overlooked Georgia's non-compliance in order to keep Georgia from joining South Carolina in open rebellion over the nullification of federal tariffs. It is an interesting idea that Anderson proposes, and one not always considered in standard texts of U.S. History. In addition to editing this book, Anderson contributes a wonderful bibliographical essay, a rich road map of sources for study of the Cherokees during prehistoric time, the colonial period, and federal influence.

The first essay, by Douglas C. Wilms, examines how outsiders such as fur traders, missionaries, and the federal government instituted change in how the Cherokees farmed, apportioned and populated their land. The essay contains useful charts and maps showing where and how the Cherokees lived prior to their removal in the late 1830s to what is now Oklahoma. Wilms draws from a census of the Cherokee Nation in 1835 and puts the information in an easily understandable format. A key point of the essay is that the Cherokees came much further in "civilizing" themselves at the time of removal than the federal government was willing to recognize.

The second composition, by Ronald N. Satz, provides a closer look at President Andrew Jackson. While some historians have portrayed Jackson as a devil in regard to his Native American policies, others have said his aims were benevolent and paternalistic. Satz compares the rhetoric versus the reality of the Jackson administration. Satz's analysis points out the danger of one dimensional simplification in history and discusses a variety of factors that influenced the fate of the Indians during the Jackson era.

Theda Perdue writes the third essay, in which she examines the state of Cherokee politics at the time of removal. It is a particularly enlightening paper, disputing the contention by many white Americans of the time that the vast majority of Cherokees were in favor of removal but were held back by the aristocratic elite in their tribe. Perdue shows that the aristocrats and the common Cherokees were united against removal. The federal government, however, chose to negotiate with a group of ambitious "middle class" Cherokees who had previously been frustrated in their efforts to become wealthy and join the Cherokee ruling aristocracy. By rewarding these men, the federal government got its removal treaty.

The population loss sustained by the Cherokees along the Trail of Tears is the topic of essay four, by Russell Thornton. Through mathematical calculations or demographics, Thornton more closely examines the birth rate, death rate, and migration patterns of the Cherokees. In addition to describing some of the horrors of this episode, he proposes that the actual population loss should be considered perhaps twice the total as is traditionally quoted by scholars.

John Finger discusses the fate of the North Carolina Cherokees, who escaped the tragedy of removal. This essay brings to the fore certain individuals, both Indian and white, who acted on behalf of the North Carolina Cherokees. Finger explains how the North Carolina Cherokees came to be the Eastern Band in the Great Smoky Mountains that attract millions of tourists annually.

The sixth essay, by Rennard Strickland and William Strickland, tells the story of the Cherokees up to the edge of the 21st century. They high-light some turning points which might have spelled the extinction of the tribe. But their essay also emphasizes Cherokee resilience and accomplishments.

"Cherokee Removal: Before and After" is highly recommended as an introduction to Cherokee History and a reference for further study.

I am extremely pleased to have read such a concise and interesting work on Chile.

I highly recommend Dr. Sater's fluid & accurate discourse upon the history of this country and its politics.

From The Foreword:

... What is remarkable is the combination of this historical perspective with his social psychological descriptions and analyses of laundrymen and their descendants. The personal life stories, with their inner thought,feeling, values, attitudes, work experiences and survival hardships, are skillfully presented with penetrating insights and observations. These perspectives present an overall picture of the history and the life and work of the laundrymen. From the late l9th century to the first half of the 20th century, Chinese laundries dotted the urban economic landscape of North America. The Chinese laundrymen were so prevalent that it might seem that they were genetically wired for this occupation. Even in insane asylums, the Chinese were asked to do laundry work. Laundry work was mentally, psychologically and physically demanding. One laundryman once told me that he washed his laundry with tears and that if he had known that laundry work was a lifetime of hardship and suffering, he would not have come to the Gold Mountain. However, despite all these difficulties with racial discrimination, hostility, violence and legal exclusion, they survived and prospered. Nowadays, many of their children are successful members of their communities, making valuable contributions to society. The laundrymen left a legacy of hard work, endurance, tolerance and an indomitable spirit to excel in life and work. This legacy is now commonly accepted by all Chinese immigrants and their descendants as a significant part of their enduring heritage, one they can cherish and promote. As a Chinese saying goes, "To be able to taste the bitter of the bitter, then you will be a step higher than the others." Professor Jung's seminal works have ably presented and preserved an important part of this heritage not only for the Chinese but for all Americans.

BanSeng Hoe, Ph.D.
Curator of Asian Studies, Canadian Museum of Civilization
Past Visiting Professor of Ethnology and Chinese Studies
Peking University

Chinese Laundries: Tickets to Survival on Gold Mountain is another important window into the history of the early Chinese immigrants to North America, one that transcends all regions. The tracing of the trail of Chinese migration into America's heartland and the Deep South as many entered the laundry business sheds light on their complex and difficult journey. The coverage of the virulent anti-Chinese sentiments in large cities as well as small hamlets exposes the hostility they had to overcome. The laundrymen faced struggles, challenges, and even disappointments; yet, the Chinese laundry became a valued and necessary enterprise in countless communities for several decades.

Sylvia Sun Minnick, Author,
SamFow: The San Joaquin Chinese Legacy and Stockton's Chinese Community

Professor Jung's book has made a significant contribution to the history of Chinese laundries in America. The story is best told by someone like Jung who experienced a `laundry life,' and understands its psychological impact on the Chinese laundrymen and their families. It is hard to imagine the difficulties that the laundrymen encountered in making a living in a harsh and hostile environment. Bachelor laundrymen, like those with families back in China, suffered lonely lives. Those who had families with them worked hard to ensure that their children would have advantages that the laundrymen could never attain here.

Murray K. Lee, Curator of Chinese American History, San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, and the son of a Chinese laundryman and restaurateur

A masterwork of definitive scholarship and heartfelt composition on this singularly important subject. Jung's own life in one such historic family business lends unique insight to a topic often cited but little explored until now. An academically solid effort that is much enhanced by several personal narratives from other "Children of the Laundries." This rewarding study of an era marked by invention born of dire necessity, an unforgiving host society that demanded Chinese laundrymen's services but then punished them for being too good at it, is a long overdue analysis of a familiar experience hidden in plain sight.

Mel Brown, Author,
Chinese Heart of Texas, The San Antonio Chinese Community, 1875-1975

Jung's book on Chinese laundries is a welcome contribution to Chinese American studies that depicts the plight of early generations of Chinese caught in the predicament of operating laundries to provide for their families, either in China or in America, while enduring extreme hardship and loneliness in one of the few occupations open to them until the end of World War II in the U. S. and Canada due to racism. It vividly portrays the lives of Chinese laundrymen with the inclusion of historic documents, photographs, newspaper article excerpts, and revealing personal stories and insider observations from a few of the many who, like the author, grew up and worked in their family laundries. The subject deserves attention and further exploration in view of the significant impact that the laundry had not only on the Chinese American experience, but also in the social and cultural histories of the U.S. and Canada.

Joan S. Wang, Professor of History, National Taiwan Normal University, Author, Race, Gender, and Laundry Work: The Roles of Chinese Laundrymen and American Women in the United States, 1850-1950, Journal of American Ethnic History,

This is a remarkable book. It offers a comprehensive historical study of the Chinese laundries in the United States, a profound analysis of the psychological experiences of the Chinese laundrymen in America and their families in China; and above all, written by someone who has intimate experiences with the Chinese laundry, it is a tribute to those Chinese immigrants whose labor and sacrifice laid the foundation of the Chinese American community, and a testimony of the Chinese laundrymen's resilience, resourcefulness, and humanity.

Renqiu Yu, Director, Professor of History, Asian Studies Program, Purchase College - SUNY, Author, To Save China, To Save Ourselves, The Chinese Hand Laundry Alliance of New York

This is a lovely book of 5 Christmas stories captured in another time and charmingly illustrated by Scarlett Rickenbaker. A nice read by the fire and a great gift for a close friend or family member.

THE CHYMICAL COOK: A True Account of
Mystical Initiation in the Georgia Woods,
by Jay Bremyer (Station Hill Openings/
Barrytown, LTD., 1996)

In the summer of 1969, thinking to
attend a yoga workshop, Jay and Sara drive to
Georgia, which sets the stage for their
adventure by dropping them from their Kansas,
university student, `60s activist lifestyle,
right into the redneck South of the time.
Synchronicities begin to erupt in every
direction, and they encounter a quirky sprite
of a woman, Elsie, who quickly draws them in
to the idea they need to spend some time with
her. They return home, gather some friends,
and come into Elsie's mystical circle for a
life-changing experience.

With her ear cocked to inaudible
voices, she exposes them to riddles, to
paradox, to true magic, to great good humor.
They are transported to other realities,
challenged to understand and grow, confused
and confounded. She feeds them well, seems to
be everywhere they individually happen to be,
and gives them simple chores fraught with
meaning. She urges them to look at all they
encountered for the hidden messages.

Bremyer writes this true account in a
compelling, fast-moving, poetic waterfall
prose, a particular style that urges the
reader to see the layer upon layer of meaning
skillfully tucked in between the words. The
book is one that begs multiple readings, and
is likely to be ear-marked and underlined and
annotated, and returned to again and again.
The magic of this book is that for every
question answered, two more arise, and the
reader is invited to actively partake and
participate in the juicy great mystery openly
available to all.

The Chymical Cook is a golden read,
one from the pots of the successful alchemist.

__ Jan Thatcher Adams
Whole Health Editor of The Edge,
Exploring the Evolution of Consciousness

(Excerpted from "Seeds of wisdom sown with
Bremyer's Chymical Cook" which appeared in
the February, 1997 issue of The Edge.)

This is a "must" book for anyone seriously interested in the events in Greece during and after WW-II. The author was part (and eventually the head) of the British mission with the Greek guerillas so he was an intimate observer of what was happening. I lived in Greece during these awful years and in spite of my young age (I was 15 at the end of the period described in the book) I have a lot of recollections (when people shoot at each other in the streets in your town you take an early interest in politics). I found the book quite impartial and comprehensive. (I am sure that parts of it will infuriate the right and other parts will infuriate the left.) The author correctly points out that the Greek civil war was primarily an internal affair and external influences (by the communist countries in favor of the left and the US and Britain in favor of the right) were not as big as each side claim about the other. His closing statement is that (to the Soviets) "The rank and file of the KKE, and in particular its leaders, were expendable. Without a trace of compunction, Stalin let them go to their doom." Elsewhere (p. 233) he points out (correctly in my opinion) that "The rebels failed because the mass of the Greek people was against them." The internal nature of the conflict (with outsiders providing material support but not manpower except in one brief phase) is a fact that was forgotten when the Greek civil war was used as a paradigm to justify the US participation in the war in Vietnam.

The book describes at length the inconsistent behavior of the communist leadership but it does not mention what, in my opinion, was the main reason for that behavior. During the German occupation many people joined the communist led resistance to fight the Germans. Many of them were also not happy with the Greek government that was in power before WW-II. The communist leadership mistaken thought that these people would also be in favor of a socialist state. As the communist leadership pressed harder more and more people turned against it. Therefore the large support they had during WW-II eventually evaporated. The true attitudes of the Greek people are described very well in the book "Eleni" by Nicholas Gage. Readers who are not familiar with modern Greek history may also find "Eleni" easier to read. Personally I believe the two books complement each other very well.

A wonderful, poignant prose poem is what
City: An Essay really is......some great
lines and associations....

Like Baudelaire and Walter Benjamin doing
New York City, and love ---

You do need this weathermnan to tell you
which way some winds blow....

In this fascinating approach to the issue of gender in the Civil War era, Leeann Whites argues that the men of Augusta, Georgia (and presumably the rest of the South) were emasculated by their loss in that conflict. Through the efforts of white women confederate veterans were able to regain their sense of masculinity by the latter part of the 19th century. Whites argues that in antebellum Augusta, as in the rest of the South, that white men were free because they were not slaves. Their role encompassed protecting white women from outside influences and from those who were not free, obviously African Americans. In exchange for this protection, white women were subservient. When the Union emerged triumphant and slaves were freed, the white men of Augusta lost their pre-eminent position because they had failed in their duty to protect their women. Whites shows how in the years after the Civil War the white women of Augusta began a campaign to restore their men's sense of self-respect via activities such as honoring them through the building of memorials dedicated to the sacrifices of Confederate veterans. In doing so, they began to create the image of the Southern warrior fighting for their war of life against insurmountable odds. This was the Lost Cause that equired the valiant and honorable men of Augusta to take up arms. As a result of these efforts, men felt resurrected as they regained their sense of self, leading to their return to power after Reconstruction. Whites argument is fascinating, she uses numerous primary sources to support her views. Although one cannot come away from reading the book without agreeing that women did play a significant role in the return of men to power, she does ignore any efforts than men made on their own behalf. One has the impression that only the women of Augusta helped the men of Augusta return to their role as protectors. Although she makes a convincing argument that women made a significant contribution, it is only one factor discussed. Having said that, however, this work is essential for anyone studying gender relations, especially in the Civil War era. It is well-written and thorough Additionally, Whites makes a solid contribution to the field of collective memory as she shows how the memorial movement in Augusta changed the way in which Southerners remembered the war.