When young brothers Gene and Jack moved in with their grandparents in 1950, they didn't realize then the impact that Grandpa Will and Grandma Ida would have on their lives. Life in rural Dallas Hollow, Tennessee, was not always easy, but it was one filled with love, laughter, and life lessons learned. In this memoir, Cherokee Lost, author Gene Guthrie shares a glimpse of life with his elders. While living with their grandparents, they learned of their grandfather's Cherokee Indian heritage. He taught them to survive and to take care of Mother Earth. He introduced them to timber cutting, hunting, fishing, and the art of blacksmithing. Grandma Ida showed them how to garden, pick berries, can fruits and vegetables, and dry apples.
During the twelve years they lived with their grandparents, Gene and Jack learned much more than physical chores; they learned respect, pride, and how to laugh and enjoy life. They grew to appreciate Grandpa Will's Indian heritage and spirit. Through the words and actions of Grandpa Will, Cherokee Lost provides a tribute to the rural life of the south and the Native American outlook on life.