Yazoo Chief Blazes Path Prior to Lewis and Clark

New Book Revels Trek Made by American Indian 100 Years Before Famed Explorers

Tracks were laid 100 years before Lewis and Clark blazed through the country to the Pacific Northwest. The maps based upon Moncacht-Apés adventures paved the way for later explorations by the Courageous Captains. Now, for the first time Jonathan Reynolds Cronin tells the story of the wandering chief in Yazoo Mingo: The Journeys of Moncacht-Apé across North America (now available through 1stBooks Library).
     Cronin reconstructs a forgotten trek in a literary non-fiction in the mode of "Truman Capote", the author states. Known as The Interpreter to the French, Yazoo Mingo, which translates to Yazoo chief, called Moncacht-Apé, which means Killer of Pain and Fatigue, struck a path through the Western United States. Beginning in the Deep South of what is now Mississippi, he made the same journey as Lewis and Clark, up the Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains and down the Columbia River to the Pacific Coast. Unlike the fabled explorers, however, Moncacht-Apé continued to Southeast Alaska.
     His motives varied, the Yazoo Mingo wandered to relieve the pain of a family tragedy. He also hoped to find the origin of his people and bring back information about other cultures to share with his nation. Cronin's book told at times in First Nation storytelling style for authenticity explores the folkways, spirituality and destinies of the myriad of American Indian nations visited by Moncacht-Apé.
     As the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis and Clark journey begins this year, Cronin's book emphasizes the importance to remember the authentic trailblazers of American and its native inhabitants.
     Cronin is also known by his Nakota name, Hoksila Tanka. After a long career as a lawyer for the federal government and a private practice that focused on employment, civil and aboriginal rights, he began his new career as an author and historian. Nestled in his sheep ranch on an island in Puget Sound, he has published many magazine articles. Yazoo Mingo is his first book.

     The author, Jonathan Reynolds Cronin can be reached for interviews or information about Yazoo Mingo by means of telephone 206-463-5372, e-mail jcronarb@aol.com, or Fax 206-463-5374.

Yazoo Mingo ISBN# 1-4033-7217-9 (e book) ISBN 1-4033-7218-7 (paperback) ISBN 1-4033-72195 (hard copy), is available from Ingram and all the major bookstores or on line from http://www.1stbooks.com, amazon.com, or barnesandnoble.com