Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound. By David B. Williams

Abstract

“Homewaters” is a perfect title for this captivating book about Puget Sound, since its waters and surrounding landscapes have been the ideal home for so many–both humans and countless other species–over the years. David Williams has a clear, friendly style of writing, making the book an easy read for people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. He weaves together the history, geography, hydrology, ecology and anthropology of this unique waterbody, telling its story from ancient times to the present in a very personal and reflective way. The chapters build upon each other, each enriching our understanding of this special region and helping us to develop the relationships with the Sound that are essential for its future integrity. Williams takes us back to the chilly Pleistocene times and describes the profound changes that have taken place in the region over the millennia: the influence of volcanoes, sea level fluctuations, the way the Sound’s topography directs the currents and the mixing of fresh and salt water, and of course, the arrival of people and how their lives have changed over time. Citing contemporary Native Americans from the many nations whose territories surround the Sound, as well as archaeologists and historians, he explains how the First Peoples learned to survive and thrive in this beautiful place, their alliances with other communities through trade and intermarriage, and how they have endured and countered enemy attacks. He also explores the unique and effective ways Indigenous Peoples have developed for sustaining and enhancing the various resources of the region over countless generations.