Waters of Knowing (1850): A historical novel of the early days of Port Townsend

In 1850 Port Townsend, destiny unfolds where sea meets shore, and two cultures navigate the unpredictable tides of change.

When four American settlers stake their claim at the natural harbor of Port Townsend, they enter territory long inhabited by the S'Klallam people. As the newcomers attempt to build a settlement that will become an important port city, they discover success depends on understanding the waters, the land, and the people who know both intimately.

Chief Chetzemoka sees opportunity in selective cooperation, but faces mounting pressure as territorial authorities impose their vision of progress. Young Túkwəb finds himself caught between worlds, mastering settlers' tools while protecting sacred traditions. And healer Qwiqwilut must determine which medicines to share and which to shield from those who would document, classify, and claim them.

Meanwhile, widow Elizabeth Morrison arrives with plans for a boarding house-and discovers that building something lasting requires honoring what came before. As relationships form across cultural boundaries, an uneasy alliance emerges. When winter storms threaten lives on both sides, cooperation becomes a matter of survival, even as territorial authorities intensify their efforts to measure, document, and control.

Inspired by actual historical events and people, this richly detailed novel explores the complex dynamics of cultural encounter in America's Pacific Northwest. This first book in a sweeping five-volume historical series reveals how knowledge becomes power, how adaptation can be resistance, and how some connections run deeper than any territorial claim.

Perfect for readers of Louise Erdrich's "The Night Watchman," David Guterson's "Snow Falling on Cedars," and Annie Proulx's "Barkskins."