The University of Alabama Press says about the book: "Known widely in Europe as "interpretive narrative archaeology," the practice of using creative methods to interpret and present current knowledge of the past is gaining popularity in North America. This book is the first compilation of international case studies of the various artistic methods used in this new form of education—one that makes archaeology "come alive" for the nonprofessional. Plays, opera, visual art, stories, poetry, performance dance, music, sculpture, digital imagery—all can effectively communicate archaeological processes and cultural values to public audiences." It comes with a CD of videos and other offerings by the various authors.

My own contribution to the volume, "Archaeology's Influence on Contemporary Native American Art: Perspectives from a Monster," is an autobiographical glimpse of my own journey as a Native American artist and as an archaeologist. I cover such topics as the influence of the Institute of American Indian Arts, excavated southwest ruins on the art of Nampeyo, the Hopi potter, how to combine traditional and contemporary arts, the influence of my Oneota ancestors on my artwork, with examples and cautionary thoughts offered to both Native American artists as well as collectors of Indian art.