Meeting David Buerge

I had the distinct privilege of meeting David Buerge, author of Chief Seattle and the Town That Took His Name. He did a reading in a very full conference room at Aljoya, an event put on by the Mercer Island library, with some help from the Mercer Island Historical Society.

David Buerge was a lively speaker and gave us a full hour of highlights from his book–a topic he has studied throughout his career as a historian, educator, and author.

My favorite description of Chief Seattle in the book is by a man named Tolmie. He said Chief Seattle was “a brawny Soquamish with a roman countenance and black curley hair, the handsomest Indian I have seen.”

I will write a full review when I finish the book–I’m about halfway through right now. I’m loving the intricate details of Duwamish history told with lovely, almost whimsical narrative, and at the same time Buerge slips in matter-of-fact details putting everything into perspective.