Living in the Land of Death

The Choctaw Nation, 1830-1860

De: Donna L. Akers

Narrado por: Sally Martin

With the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Choctaw people began their journey over the Trail of Tears from their homelands in Mississippi to the new lands of the Choctaw Nation. Suffering a death rate of nearly 20 percent due to exposure, disease, mismanagement, and fraud, they limped into Indian Territory, or, as they knew it, the Land of the Dead (the route taken by the souls of Choctaw people after death on their way to the Choctaw afterlife). Their first few years in the new nation affirmed their name for the land, as hundreds more died from whooping cough, floods, starvation, cholera, and smallpox.

Living in the Land of Death depicts the story of Choctaw survival, and the evolution of the Choctaw people in their new environment. Culturally, over time, their adaptation was one of homesteads and agriculture, eventually making them self-sufficient in the rich new lands of Indian territory. Along the Red River and other major waterways, several Choctaw families of mixed heritage built plantations, and imported large crews of slave labor to work cotton fields. They developed a sub-economy based on interaction with the world market. However, the vast majority of Choctaws continued with their traditional subsistence economy that was easily adapted to their new environment.

The immigrant Choctaws did not, however, move into land that was vacant. The U.S. government, through many questionable and some outright corrupt extralegal maneuvers, chose to believe it had gained title through negotiations with some of the peoples whose homelands and hunting grounds formed Indian Territory. Many of these indigenous peoples reacted furiously to the incursion of the Choctaws onto their rightful lands. They threatened and attacked the Choctaws and other immigrant Indian Nations for years.

©2004 Donna L. Akers (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

Reseñas de la Crítica

"With graceful writing, Akers beautifully seamlessly incorporates Choctaw language and worldview into her analysis and announces herself as an important new indigenous voice in historical scholarship." (Journal of Indigenous Nations Studies)

"Akers, a member of the Choctaw Nation, clearly posits that she is providing an "insider's" perspective and intends to show that Choctaw culture survived the juggernaut of assimiliation… She achieved her objective in a commendable fashion… a balanced and readable account." (Journal of the West)

Comprehensively Choctaw

This book gives a comprehensive history of the Choctaw tribe. I knew little of them before this book. The Choctaw's were one of the last civilized tribes. The Choctaw women were not view as inferior as women were at the time in White culture. Choctaw's viewed reading as important and really supported their children going to school. Not just the boy but they wanted their girls in school long before society thought they should. One common theme throughout the book as westward expansion really screwed the native Americans.

Living in the Land of Death

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

An interesting look at Native American culture in the 1830-1860 time period.

The narration was well done as a monologue.

History of the Choctaw Nation

Where does Living in the Land of Death rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Three of the greatest tragedies/crimes in human history:
1) The Holocaust
2) The African Slave Trade
3) The Dispossession of Native American Land by European Colonists

This audiobook extensively chronicles the tragic history of the Choctaw Nation as it struggles to cope with the arrival and expansion of the White population into the Choctaw's ancestral lands, circa 1830.

Although most of us know how the story ultimately ends, the shocking and sordid details described in this audiobook will leave listeners disgusted and ashamed of the U.S. government for using its laws to STEAL Choctaw land and to (nearly) destroy an entire ethnic group.

The research behind this historical account is impressive, and it is narrated quite well.

This is a great audiobook!

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Living in the land of Death

This is a long, but interesting history of the other histories and how they were compiled about the Choctaw and 4 other nations recognized by the government at the time.Sadly a lot of the misinformation was second hand because no on did first hand interviews.I was amazed and appalled at much of the info.Sally Martin did a fine job narrating.I was provided this book free by the author,narrator or publisher.

Very Dry History of the Choctaw

What did you like best about Living in the Land of Death? What did you like least?

I liked the origination story of the Choctaw people. I had never heard it. I find it intriguing that traveling for 43 years to a sacred forever home is part of their origination tale. It is unusual in that the actual origin is unknown or not considered important enough to pass down. There were many interesting details in this story. One comes to know them well because they are reiterated more than once. This detracts from the story.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Some aspects of the history are fascinating. The U.S. strategy of getting Choctaw leaders into debt and then trading debt forgiveness for land was new to me. The 53 minute introduction was a critique of other historical treatments of the Choctaw nation. While it is important material, it needed an editor. It could have been covered in half the time. This is the definition of extreme academic padding.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Sally Martin?

Not unless she was on crack. The narrator has a relaxed voice and gives an insipid delivery of a very repetitive book. The audio quality was good and she reads accurately, but the combination of the repetitive material and her calm, slightly monotonous voice kept putting me to sleep.

Was Living in the Land of Death worth the listening time?

Yes, it represents a little know area of history and some parts of it are very interesting.

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.