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Raven's Apprentice
Raven's Apprentice is a compelling true story from the west coast of B.C. that launches you into the world of Raven and our interconnectedness with all living things.
"Suddenly, without warning, they spun on a fin and started charging the boat. My thrill turned to real panic. Killer whales attacking a boat. Had there ever been such a thing? A paralysis gripped me. Now, within striking distance, they slipped into an arrowhead formation just below the surface. If the leader of the pack didn't bring the boat down, his flanks would."
"At about 20 feet off the bow, the frontrunner broke the surface, peeling waves off his rostrum as he continued his commitment to engage. Bracing for impact, my hands squeezed into the railing..."
"You have succeeded in bringing the reader on the voyage with you and into the deeper experience of transcendence and heightened awareness. Some of your experiences are literally skin tingling, many will leave your reader thinking and remembering for a long time to come."
- Sid Tafler – Writer, Editor
Travel with me aboard MV Lady Guinevere. Witness being charged by transient killer whales, stalked by wolves and walking creeks so pristine you feel as if you were the first human to experience the wonder of nature.
"Suddenly, without warning, they spun on a fin and started charging the boat. My thrill turned to real panic. Killer whales attacking a boat. Had there ever been such a thing? A paralysis gripped me. Now, within striking distance, they slipped into an arrowhead formation just below the surface. If the leader of the pack didn't bring the boat down, his flanks would."
"At about 20 feet off the bow, the frontrunner broke the surface, peeling waves off his rostrum as he continued his commitment to engage. Bracing for impact, my hands squeezed into the railing..."
"You have succeeded in bringing the reader on the voyage with you and into the deeper experience of transcendence and heightened awareness. Some of your experiences are literally skin tingling, many will leave your reader thinking and remembering for a long time to come."
- Sid Tafler – Writer, Editor
Travel with me aboard MV Lady Guinevere. Witness being charged by transient killer whales, stalked by wolves and walking creeks so pristine you feel as if you were the first human to experience the wonder of nature.
- GenresNonfiction
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2020
2 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 20, 2020
For anyone who has explored the BC coast extensively, you will already know that your experience is much more than a journey by water. Traveling the coast (preferably in a "slow" boat) one can not help becoming aware of the interconnections between all of the elements of wind, sun, fog, sea state, history and the hand of god in all.
Raven's Apprentice captures and relates beautifully this soul enhancing journey in Don Hardy's very personal journal of his time as a Fisheries Observer on the Central Coast. His heart felt connection with the physical environment, the First Nations community, and his own spiritual growth allows the reader to explore ones own journey in life.
I highly recommend this book to all who love this coast and anyone else who seeks an insight into our special world and the soul.
Raven's Apprentice captures and relates beautifully this soul enhancing journey in Don Hardy's very personal journal of his time as a Fisheries Observer on the Central Coast. His heart felt connection with the physical environment, the First Nations community, and his own spiritual growth allows the reader to explore ones own journey in life.
I highly recommend this book to all who love this coast and anyone else who seeks an insight into our special world and the soul.
September 29, 2020
I started reading “ Raven’s Apprentice” on a west coast beach with Raven watching me (Coincidence?) . It led me right into the theme of a wonderful adventure of self discovery traveling up this coast. It is a deeply personal account of interconnectedness with all of nature’s creatures, a continuous theme woven throughout the travels up north. Don has a keen ability to describe setting and characters as well as his own yearnings and spiritual discoveries. I thoroughly enjoyed this book which would appeal to anyone with a love for boating, wilderness adventure and an interest in spiritual discovery.
August 24, 2020
Just finished this adventure and I loved it. Beautifully written and you feel as if you were on this journey of enlightenment with Don. I felt I came away wiser about the history of this wonderful Island and it's people. This is a truly personal journey and I so appreciate Don sharing it with us. I would highly recommend this book... And remember " there's no such thing as a coincidence "
I loved the surprise pictures done by Kasandra.. Icing on a beautiful cake!
I loved the surprise pictures done by Kasandra.. Icing on a beautiful cake!
August 22, 2020
This is an excellent read. It is like Don is sitting in your living room telling you about his adventures. Living on Vancouver Island I know the areas he is describing. He is passionate about his adventures and I can feel while reading it the challenges he faced
December 19, 2020
Great read
February 21, 2021
Such a beautiful book. I’ve never seen this part of the country by by the author’s vivid descriptions I feel like I’ve seen it first hand. Glad I own a copy so I can revisit all the stories!
August 25, 2025
Robert Hardy’s The Raven’s Apprentice is a reflective memoir that captures the author’s extraordinary apprenticeship under a Haida elder on the remote islands of Haida Gwaii, off the coast of British Columbia. The book unfolds as both a personal journey and an ethnographic exploration, recounting Hardy’s time spent learning traditional fishing, survival skills, and spiritual wisdom from an Indigenous teacher. Through vivid storytelling, Hardy reveals how the natural world, particularly the raven—a powerful figure in Haida mythology—shaped his understanding of resilience, respect, and interconnectedness.
What makes the book especially compelling is Hardy’s humility as a narrator. Rather than presenting himself as the central character, he consistently centers the Haida worldview and the teachings of his mentor. This choice allows the reader to glimpse the depth of Indigenous knowledge while also sharing in Hardy’s own transformation from a novice outsider to someone more attuned to the rhythms of the land and the wisdom of an ancient culture. The memoir blends moments of humor, hardship, and quiet revelation, painting a portrait of apprenticeship that is as much spiritual as it is practical.
Ultimately, The Raven’s Apprentice is a celebration of learning, tradition, and respect for ways of knowing that go beyond Western frameworks. Hardy’s prose invites readers to slow down, reflect, and honor the interconnectedness of life—a message that feels especially relevant in a fast-paced, modern world. The book is part survival tale, part cultural narrative, and part meditation on what it means to be truly teachable. It is an inspiring read for those drawn to memoirs, Indigenous wisdom, or reflections on the natural world.
What makes the book especially compelling is Hardy’s humility as a narrator. Rather than presenting himself as the central character, he consistently centers the Haida worldview and the teachings of his mentor. This choice allows the reader to glimpse the depth of Indigenous knowledge while also sharing in Hardy’s own transformation from a novice outsider to someone more attuned to the rhythms of the land and the wisdom of an ancient culture. The memoir blends moments of humor, hardship, and quiet revelation, painting a portrait of apprenticeship that is as much spiritual as it is practical.
Ultimately, The Raven’s Apprentice is a celebration of learning, tradition, and respect for ways of knowing that go beyond Western frameworks. Hardy’s prose invites readers to slow down, reflect, and honor the interconnectedness of life—a message that feels especially relevant in a fast-paced, modern world. The book is part survival tale, part cultural narrative, and part meditation on what it means to be truly teachable. It is an inspiring read for those drawn to memoirs, Indigenous wisdom, or reflections on the natural world.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews