Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
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"And the Raven Smiled" by Garner Buchanan

Picture
Garner Buchanan
Alaskan author Garner Buchanan was raised in Sitka. His father was a fisherman, who died at sea, and Mr. Buchanan spent many summers fishing himself.  "And the Raven Smiled," draws on Mr. Buchanan's early years in Sitka, which coincided with the military build up here during World War II.

Mr. Buchanan has graciously offered to donate half the proceeds of "And the Raven Smiled" to the Japonski Island Boathouse renovation project. The book is available on amazon.com.

The book is set in 1940, when the construction of the Naval Air Station in Sitka flooded the little town with strangers. Construction workers and sailors fill the local bars with drunken chaos.  Familiar old traditions of prejudice toward the Tlingit Natives are being questioned and falling to new friendships.  The protagonists Natalya and James work to rebuild a fishing boat, the Raven.

Mr. Buchanan lives in the Anchorage area. He is a retired teacher and consultant for private colleges.  He is a graduate of the University of Washington, and has worked in California, Germany and Alaska.





Contact SMHS 

Phone: (907) 623-8054

Email:  sitkamaritime@gmail.com

Mail: PO Box 2153
           Sitka, Alaska 99835
                           
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Some of the images on this site are copyrighted, including  images in our banner slideshow,  those on the historical collection page, and those provided to us by  photographer James Poulson and others. 

Please contact SMHS with photo usage inquiries.