Book Review: Hunted Like A Wolf by Milton Meltzer | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Book Review: Hunted Like A Wolf by Milton Meltzer

22
Book Review: Hunted Like A Wolf by Milton Meltzer

For those avid readers of historical books, or are curious of the history of the early United States, look no further than to Hunted Like A Wolf: The Story of the Seminole War by Milton Meltzer. He explains the early period of colonization of the eastern North America by European colonists, then the initial Thirteen Colonies periodically dealings with the various Native American tribes that dotted the land. Later on in the book Meltzer introduces the United States and the various dealings the newly created nation has with all of its Native American neighbors.

Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator

Of these many tribes, as time progressed five began to gradually differ from the other Eastern tribes. These five tribes included the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Cherokee, and Seminole. Collectively, these tribes were known as the Five Civilized Tribes. Each of these tribes homelands are described briefly by Meltzer. As he explains the territories that make up each tribes land claims, he introduces the rapid expansion of both the Thirteen Colonies governed by the English Monarchy and later the newly constructed United States.

Meltzer explains that the Chickasaw Tribe called small portions of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama home for hundreds of years. Also that the Choctaw Tribe controlled a great portion of Mississippi and a small portion of Alabama their homelands. Along with the Creek Tribe, with portions of Alabama and all but the eastern coast of Georgia being their homelands. The Cherokee called parts of southern Kentucky, a majority of Tennessee, a small part of West Virginia, as well as northern portions of both Alabama and Georgia. Lastly the Seminole called the entire area known as Florida as their homeland.

Meltzer explains topics such as the differing and unique societies that each tribe possessed, the varying practices of slavery, and their overall attempted assimilation to the European/American ways of life. Along with that, Meltzer explains that the United States had begun an ever growing desire for land that was owned by the Five Civilized Tribes.

Though this book does it's best to explain the practices of the five different tribes, it goes into exceptionally more dept with the Seminole tribe. In addition, Meltzer goes into depth with explaining that the Seminole splintered from the Creek tribe and created its own culture. For instance, all of the Civilized Tribes practiced slavery, in their own unique ways. In the case of the Chickasaw and Cherokee, slaves were treated similar to European/American slaves but with the Choctaw and Creek the slaves were better treated.

It was only with the Seminole that the slaves were treated like equal people. The slaves that the Seminole had in their care were mostly from the nearby plantations in Georgia. These runaway slaves were welcomed with open arms and treated with an amount of respect that was unheard of. The slaves would be allowed to be considered full members of the Seminole Tribe, and would be allowed to have homes, work the land and even be able to establish towns. However, as is typical with Native American tribes, they did not permit them to own the land, as no one could for it was the Great Spirit's land.

Throughout Meltzer's book, he displays an obvious amount of bias attitudes towards the early colonists' attitudes on expansion, and later the United States. He explains the political manipulations of the slaveholders of the Colonies and later States. In addition, he also goes into detail over the amount of greed that many of the slaveholders at the time possessed to acquire runaway/ free slaves that had taken refuge in the Seminole lands.

It would be through these attitudes that would establish a desire to rid future lands of their Native American owners. With this, there was a desire to expand into the western portions of the American frontier and subsequently into other areas that were governed by European monarchies. Throughout various acts, such as the Indian Removal Act that was enacted by President Andrew Jackson, and the following Anti-Indian policy that was taken up by many presidents following Jackson.

The rest of the book revolves around the response the Five Civilized Tribes had to the United States and its Anti-Indian policies. With many of the tribes forfeiting their lands for portions of unclaimed territory in what would be called Oklahoma. In the case of the Cherokee, who were the one tribe that had assimilated to European/American ways, they took their case to the Supreme Court. However, despite creating their own alphabet, forsook the traditions of hunting for agriculture, and assimilation to European/American culture, the Cherokee lost.

That left the Seminole, who remained in what was then the Florida territory. Instead of forfeiting their lands, the Seminole tribe fought back. This would be in response to the never ending amount of harassment that would follow the tribe to their former slave tribesman. With the continuing amount of encounters and the lack of trust of the Natives, the United States sends a variety of generals to handle the situation. These representatives of both the United States military and government include figures such as Gen.Thomas Jesup, future President Zachary Taylor, John Quincy Adams, and of course Andrew Jackson.

Thus, the rest of the book depicts the feats of various Seminole leaders such as Osceola, King Philip, Tuchose Emathla, Coacoochee, and other key figures. In addition, Meltzer also introduces several notable African-American leaders who played key roles in the war. Of these, he makes a point of highlighting their contributions, such as Abraham who was a former Florida slave turned interpreter and councilor to the Seminole.

Though this book does possess a variety of bias attitudes in its pages, it does provide a great amount of detail in the battles, encounters, policies, and attitudes. I recommend this book for anyone wishing to dabble into a bit of history, especially those who aren't familiar with that of Early American history. I've had this book in my library for some time now and have only recently finished it, however despite its obvious age, this book is still a good read.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

847
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments