Join Cortes Island author Judith Williams for a book launch and illustrated talk based on her new book, Raincoast Chronicles 24: Cougar Companions, Bute Inlet Country and the Legendary Schnarrs ($26.95, Harbour Publishing), which examines the history of Bute Inlet and traces the remarkable story of the Schnarr family.
Williams’s presentation, which will be followed by a book signing and refreshments, takes place at Manson’s Hall on Sunday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. The slide show features many of the notable photos from the book.
Raincoast Chronicles 24 is an impeccably researched and richly illustrated history of Bute Inlet’s pioneering residents, including August Schnarr and his family. Schnarr, a trapper and a logger in the region from 1910 until the 1960s, was also an amateur photographer who faithfully took a Kodak camera on his many expeditions and used it to capture experiences on the family homestead.
To create this fascinating history of these pivotal pioneers, Williams went on research trips to Bute Inlet and the Homathko Valley, conducted interviews and delved into oral history and old diaries. She also used Schnarr’s extensive collection of photos showing life on the remote BC coast—including those of floathouses, log booms, steam donkeys, residents with giant fish catches, boats and pictures documenting August’s daughters with their pet cougars.
Judith Williams is an assistant professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and is also the author of Clam Gardens (New Star Books, 2006) and Dynamite Stories (New Star Books, 2003). All Judith’s books, including Cougar Companions, are available at the Cortes Museum shop where no GST is charged on any purchases.
