Zintka! Lost Bird of Wounded Knee

"Zintka!" is a comprehensive account of Zintkála Nuni's life, also known as Lost Bird of Wounded Knee. As an infant, she survived the Wounded Knee Massacre and was taken away by a White soldier as a trophy. This led to a life torn between her adoptive White family and the Indigenous Lakota community. The book, a companion to a film documentary of the same name, provides a detailed narrative of Zintkála Nuni's life, from her experiences in Indian boarding schools to her involvement in circuses, vaudeville, and Hollywood silent films before her untimely death in 1920, during the nationwide influenza epidemic

Collaborators singer-songwriter Brad Colerick and artist Scott Feldmann combine art, song, and narratives to illustrate the sorrow of Zintka’s sad life, which has been forgotten for 70 years. The rediscovery of her story—which led to her reburial at Wounded Knee in 1991—underscores the impacts of historical trauma and the resilience of Indigenous peoples. She was forcibly taken from her Lakota community as part of the assimilation policies during the colonization period. In boarding schools, she faced rejection and challenges in school due to racism and the perception of Native Americans as "uncivilized." She often encountered rejection from both children and adults in her White mother's social circles. After being expelled for rebellious behavior, Zintka found work in entertainment. She bore children in three marriages and endured intimate partner violence.

I reviewed the book from my perspective as a decolonizing settler colonist on Turtle Island (North America). Readers seeking to understand the complexities of identity and belonging and the lasting effects of colonization and genocide on Indigenous peoples would benefit from exploring Zintkála Nuni's life story. While I was well aware of the destruction of Indigenous communities, learning about Zintkála Nuni’s story broke my heart all over again.

The skillfully rendered volume contains poetry, song, and essays, offering striking visual representations of Zintkála Nuni’s journey and the historical context surrounding her experiences. The use of various public domain images, ledger art, and documents from institutions like the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian, along with ghostly illustrations, provides a captivating visual representation of her life and the historical context surrounding her experiences.

The book would be compelling for readers interested in Native American history and the effects of colonization on Indigenous communities. The authors create a compelling narrative, highlighting how Zintka’s tragic story was shaped by Manifest Destiny, the Wounded Knee Massacre, the breaking of treaties, the gold rush, and Indian boarding schools. The fate of Zintkála Nuni sheds light on the devastating impact of colonization and forced assimilation on Native Americans.

Cryptids and Cryptozoology: Spine-Chilling Encounters

Ancient stories and folklore have a way of captivating the imagination, especially as they hold the promise of understanding the unknown and unknowable. Throughout history, the myths of legendary creatures in the vast and untameable wilderness have endured. Oscar Johnson offers a fascinating look at the history, sightings, and cultural impact of mysterious beings in "Cryptids and Cryptozoology." The term “cryptid” describes creatures that exist in lore and stories, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the Yeti, Chupacabra, and many others. While there are documented sightings of cryptids, “mainstream” scientific evidence is evasive. 

Johnson’s writing style is as enchanting and engaging as the creatures he describes. The book is divided into chapters, each focusing on different types of cryptids, such as humanoid, aquatic, flying, land-based, reptilian, and insectoid cryptids. It was interesting to know about lesser-known cryptids like the Jersey Devil, the Beast of Bodmin Moor, and the Mongolian Death Worm. 

Stories have always brought people together. In telling the story of various beasts of lore, Johnson blends storytelling, eyewitness accounts, and scientific curiosity to share the enduring allure of the study of cryptids, despite the lack of definitive proof of their existence. 

What makes the book great is Johnson’s sincere enthusiasm about cryptozoology. He takes a balanced approach to explain that cryptozoology is not classified as an “official” scientific discipline, because of the lack of hard, reproducible evidence. On the other hand, he shares in the reader’s sense of curiosity by incorporating vivid imagery and detailed accounts of cryptid sightings and legends. Johnson mixes intrigue and a touch of humor to make the subject matter accessible and entertaining for readers of all ages. Johnson reminds us to tap into our innate longing for mystery, secrets, and adventures waiting to be uncovered in our modern world. ​

Align Your Business with the Real You

Running a business is not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurs are a courageous and creative group, eager to provide new solutions to the market. In her book "Align Your Business with the Real You," Jennifer Musser offers a guide for entrepreneurs to live their best lives by connecting with their true selves and doing what they love. This book is an excellent resource for any entrepreneur who has experienced doubt about their path or feels overwhelmed by the many tasks involved in running a business. Musser draws on her experience in large corporations and her own entrepreneurial successes to provide heartfelt advice and actionable strategies for self-understanding and solidifying a sense of purpose. She emphasizes that by understanding oneself, entrepreneurs can make informed choices that align with their strengths and interests. This is a simple yet powerful reminder about the importance of matching personal strengths with business goals. Musser introduces the “5C” framework, which guides readers to connect, clarify, control, cocreate, and change their mindsets and experiences for greater personal fulfillment and business success.

Musser draws on her own experiences to highlight the importance of being strategic about where we invest our energy. One memorable mantra from the book is “Listen to yourself,” which emphasizes the need to trust our intuition and internal wisdom when making critical decisions. She provides practical strategies, such as effective time management and delegation, which are directly applicable to the challenges entrepreneurs face. She also emphasizes the significance of gratitude, kindness, and nurturing key relationships with friends and confidantes in our inner circle.

Each chapter includes a personal anecdote that highlights a pivotal moment in Musser’s life, setting the stage for valuable advice. The author shares her experiences, from the hard lessons she learned during her college years to insights gained in international business and the challenges she faced as a founder. These relatable stories, which many entrepreneurs will find familiar, get straight to the heart of the lessons in each chapter. Musser has taken great care to present the content in a clear and digestible manner.

I approached the book from my perspective as an entrepreneur managing my consulting firm, which focuses on providing research and training strategies for operationalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. I found it valuable to learn about Musser's international business experience, her client service approach, and her personal insights. She writes in a conversational style that reflects her warm and collaborative consulting methodology. "Align Your Business with the Real You" reads like a personal conversation with a supportive mentor who is genuinely invested in your success.