Description
In this engaging and enlightening collection of essays, David B. Williams skillfully unveils the hidden stories embedded in the natural and urban landscape of Seattle. Blending science, history, and personal observation with a dash of whimsy, Williams offers readers a deeper understanding of the city’s geology, ecology, and human history. The essays cover a wide range of geologic topics, from the massive sculpting effects of Ice Age glaciers and the force of ancient tsunamis to the grand collisions of tectonic plates that continue to shape the Pacific Northwest. Equally compelling are his encounters with the wildlife that share the urban environment: coyotes slipping through side streets, otters and seals inhabiting the waterways, clams tucked beneath the surface, and a remarkable variety of birds. Looking at plants, he embraces his beloved backyard giant Douglas-fir and praises the cattail, but has less affection for the horsetail. Even the smelly skunk cabbage has remarkable merit. Williams’ essays often double as guides; one such destination is the Union Stables, a historic building marked by a sculpted horse’s head, serving as a tangible reminder of Seattle’s once horse-powered past. Accompanying each essay is a charming pictorial rendition, skillfully created in pen and watercolors by talented illustrator Elizabeth Person, that summarizes the essay’s essence.
