Table of Contents
Foreword - Gordon Morris Bakken One: A Race of Mountain Men: The People Two: A Source of Disunity: The Regions Three: A Leadership of Crisis: The Ascendency of Chota Four: A Rule by Consensus: The Towns Five: A Family Writ Large: The Clans Six: A Native Politeness: The Headmen Seven: A Nation's Mouth: The National Council and Speaker Eight: A Darling Passion: The Law of Coercion and of Equality Nine: A Right to Vengeance: The Law of Homicide Ten: A Way of Peace: The Mechanics of Vengeance Eleven: A Touch of Justice: The Mitigation of Liability Twelve: A Social Permissiveness: The Law of Marriage Thirteen: An Occupant's Tenure: The Law of Property Fourteen: A Nephew's Right: The Laws of Inheritance and Status Fifteen: A Way to War: The Law of the Nations Sixteen: A Gift of Scalps: The Law of Visitors and Retaliation Seventeen: A Bloody Hatchet: The War Machine Eighteen: A Beloved Occupation: The Law of Capture and Adoption Nineteen: A Path Swept Clean: The Making of Peace Twenty: A Still Hot War: The Keeping of Peace Twenty-One: A Scolding House: The Cherokee Legal System Twenty-Two: A Way of Dreaming: The Cherokee Legal Mind Twenty-Three: A People of Law: The Future Abbreviations Notes Acknowledgments Index

About the Author

John Phillip Reid is Professor of Law Emeritus at New York University and the author of numerous books on legal history, including Controlling the Law and The Ancient Constitution and the Origins of Anglo-American Liberty.

Reviews

Daring and convincing.
*Journal of American History*

Meaningful.... As a piece of legal history it is exemplary. As a piece of interpretive research it should not be overlooked.
*The Journal of Southern History*

Rich in detail and explanation.... Certain to remain an exemplary and frequently referenced source for all students of Cherokee history and Native American history.
*Canadian Journal of History*