In 1997, the Nation of the Cherokees faced a war of two factions that threatened to tear them apart. The Glass Nation paints a portrait of those events, recalling what happened to various people during that time of turmoil. In the midst of the run-up to an election for a new chief, a candidate's past misconduct comes to light, and a scandal ensues. As tribal council members struggle reach a place beyond the impasse, chaos engulfs the Nation. It is a time of disorder for most tribal members, many of whom do not understand just what is at stake. The tribal leadership must work to overcome the turbulence and reestablish peace among the membership. Sharing a firsthand account of real events, this narrative gives a history of events surrounding a struggle within the Nation of the Cherokees during the late 1990s.