This is my first book by journalist Joseph Lee, who can write! This was an introspective and explorative search to find out what being Indigenous means to him. It was a personal quest that took him all over the world.
However, what was most personal to me is that Joseph is also half Cantonese (like my daughter), Japanese, and Aquinnah Wampanoag. The American dream!?!
This book is a fascinating, enlightening, and convicting book. Colonialism versus indigenous sovereignty is a heavy and difficult topic, but Joseph makes it understandable and relatable. We must do more for our indigenous peoples, but I fear that things will only get worse with the sweeping cuts of this administration.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Joseph writes beautifully and from the heart. He is a gifted journalist and writer. I eagerly look forward to his next book!
Narration: 5.0 stars
The narration was not done by Joseph, which I prefer. However, Shaun Taylor-Corbett (I’Pyooksisstiiko’om) of the Blackfeet Nation narrated. Shaun is a professional artist and did an amazing job narrating.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are the indigenous people around the world. From Joseph's own tribe to indigenous peoples in Sweden, Alaska, and Okinawa, to many others.
The secondary characters are Joseph, his family, and his tribe.
The tertiary character is Joseph's indigenous identity.
There are many characters throughout the memoir, including all of the indigenous peoples, his large group of Aquinnah Wampanoag cousins, and everyone he meets along the way in this journey of discovery.
The character development was fantastic for Joseph and the indigenous peoples in the book. As he learns about his indigenous identity, so does the reader. Powerful!
Memorable: 5.0 stars
Where I live, there is a parcel of stolen indigenous land that was purchased by the Shonshone-Gabrielino tribe. It has been amazing to learn from the tribe and see the land returning to its former glory. But, of course, racism, entitlement, and colonialism have continued to raise their ugly heads.
Sadly, I have learned from Joseph's book that this continual struggle with colonialism is common for indigenous people everywhere around the world.
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
This memoir made me look at the history of indigenous people in a more nuanced way. There are so many layers to unwrap, including colonialism, sovereignty, tribal politics, the recovery of stolen land, and so much more.
I have recently been reading books by indigenous authors to learn, understand, and be a better ally. Unfortunately, I did not grasp the extent of the horrors endured by the indigenous people in California until I took a college course in California history.
Of course, I did the obligatory 4th-grade "Mission Project" and learned the whitewashed history at the local mission. Thankfully, my daughter learned the truth about the slavery that the indigenous people endured under the mission system. We must continue to educate about history in the right way!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent.
Highly recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Nothing More of This Land by Joseph Lee
7 hours, 43 minutes
Simon & Schuster Audio
Release date: 7/15/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violence, racism, colonialism, genocide, murder
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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