Rating: 
Summary: A very poor read - do not waste your time or $
Review: Hard to read and poorly done job researching firefighters, their work, lives and impact on society.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother.
Review: He has insulted firefighters from every walk of life. His editorial even went so far as to insult the firefighters at the 911 Disaster. He's tired of everyone calling them heroes..do I detect a tad bit of jealousy? Probably has tried to get on a department and couldn't..
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Gatenbein doesn't have a clue.
Review: Here is a book you don't need to read.
Here is the quote that will live in infamy: "A
good place to start cost cutting is smokejumping. Theyíre brave, motivated,charismatic but they are far too expensive for the service they provide."
At least he got the first three right. Here is my answer: smokejumpers have proven over six decades that they are the most economical way to fight fires and they have saved the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars that otherwise would have been spent on project fires that once were considered a 'failure' but now are an opportunity. Here is what should happen. The head of Forest Service and BLM should contact every base manager and ask, "What is the maximum number of jumpers your base can support and still operate at the level we have come to expect?" Then they need to say: "How can we support your operations to the fullest?" That is the way to save the taxpayer money. Stop one barnburner like the Oregon Biscuit Fire (remember that jumpers were available) and you have paid for all smokejumper operations for years. Jumpers at McCall said they were stunned by Gatenbein's book as they had gone out of their way to give him a first class tour and answer questions. I wonder if he would have the guts to show up at any base again after writing, "Smokejumping took off in the 1940's when much of the west was inaccessible by road. That isnít the case anymore, and these days jumpers often float down within sight of an Interstate Highway...." I jumped during two different decades and never once floated down in sight of a freeway. Even if there is a road nearby might sending jumpers still might well be the most expeditious way to man a fire, especially if it is on top of a mountain. He goes on to say that since smokejumping was invented for 'wilderness fires' and those are the ones that 'should be left alone', the program should be ended. While I agree there are many areas where fire should again takes it's natural role in wilderness and road less areas, big fires don't stop at boundaries. The forest fire plans need to be clear and unambiguous. When suppression is called for, the jumpers should be called first as they are the quickest resource. I remember in 1972 during my 2nd season at McCall talking with a Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot. He told me, "As soon as the war is over you jumpers will be out of business. There are so many combat tested pilots that will be released to fly helicopters on fires, jumpers will no longer be necessary."
Clearly, he was wrong. Jumping has evolved to meet new challenges and the
program is stronger now. During the summer of 2002 I did traverses in seven mountain ranges of four states. With a friend I hiked from Chamberlain Basin to Big Creek across a section of the River of No Return wilderness. It is an incredible mosaic of different aged forests and burn patterns. Central Idaho is an area I have been fortunate to visit for 40+ years and I well remember when any fire, even in wilderness, was fought. That has changed and the jumpers have adapted. Yet, under the right conditions, fires can start in wilderness and burn down towns. Certainly people who build homes surrounded by forest need to take responsibility for their homes. Nonetheless, as long as there are assets to protect and fires to manage, smokejumpers will be on the front line. All you need is stop one Biscuit fire disaster and the cost for the entire program would be covered for years! Last winter I took my family ëdown-underí where I did a study on the Australian White Ibis. When we were there, New South Wales and other states were engulfed in flames. 5000 homes were destroyed, national parks and forests incinerated, and tragically, many firefighters and civilian died. The Sydney airport was smoked in and closed for days just before we were scheduled to leave. Then among all the bad news of fires torching the capital and incinerating even their planetarium, one article lit up the night and caught my attention, "American smokejumpers have been dispatched to fires across Australia." Jerry S. Dixon Biologist/Teacher of the Gifted
USFS/BLM/NPS smokejumper/FMO/Fire Ecologist
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Gatenbein doesn't have a clue.
Review: Here is a book you don't need to read.
Here is the quote that will live in infamy: "A
good place to start cost cutting is smokejumping. Theyíre brave, motivated,charismatic but they are far too expensive for the service they provide."
At least he got the first three right. Here is my answer: smokejumpers have proven over six decades that they are the most economical way to fight fires and they have saved the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars that otherwise would have been spent on project fires that once were considered a 'failure' but now are an opportunity. Here is what should happen. The head of Forest Service and BLM should contact every base manager and ask, "What is the maximum number of jumpers your base can support and still operate at the level we have come to expect?" Then they need to say: "How can we support your operations to the fullest?" That is the way to save the taxpayer money. Stop one barnburner like the Oregon Biscuit Fire (remember that jumpers were available) and you have paid for all smokejumper operations for years. Jumpers at McCall said they were stunned by Gatenbein's book as they had gone out of their way to give him a first class tour and answer questions. I wonder if he would have the guts to show up at any base again after writing, "Smokejumping took off in the 1940's when much of the west was inaccessible by road. That isnít the case anymore, and these days jumpers often float down within sight of an Interstate Highway...." I jumped during two different decades and never once floated down in sight of a freeway. Even if there is a road nearby might sending jumpers still might well be the most expeditious way to man a fire, especially if it is on top of a mountain. He goes on to say that since smokejumping was invented for 'wilderness fires' and those are the ones that 'should be left alone', the program should be ended. While I agree there are many areas where fire should again takes it's natural role in wilderness and road less areas, big fires don't stop at boundaries. The forest fire plans need to be clear and unambiguous. When suppression is called for, the jumpers should be called first as they are the quickest resource. I remember in 1972 during my 2nd season at McCall talking with a Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot. He told me, "As soon as the war is over you jumpers will be out of business. There are so many combat tested pilots that will be released to fly helicopters on fires, jumpers will no longer be necessary."
Clearly, he was wrong. Jumping has evolved to meet new challenges and the
program is stronger now. During the summer of 2002 I did traverses in seven mountain ranges of four states. With a friend I hiked from Chamberlain Basin to Big Creek across a section of the River of No Return wilderness. It is an incredible mosaic of different aged forests and burn patterns. Central Idaho is an area I have been fortunate to visit for 40+ years and I well remember when any fire, even in wilderness, was fought. That has changed and the jumpers have adapted. Yet, under the right conditions, fires can start in wilderness and burn down towns. Certainly people who build homes surrounded by forest need to take responsibility for their homes. Nonetheless, as long as there are assets to protect and fires to manage, smokejumpers will be on the front line. All you need is stop one Biscuit fire disaster and the cost for the entire program would be covered for years! Last winter I took my family ëdown-underí where I did a study on the Australian White Ibis. When we were there, New South Wales and other states were engulfed in flames. 5000 homes were destroyed, national parks and forests incinerated, and tragically, many firefighters and civilian died. The Sydney airport was smoked in and closed for days just before we were scheduled to leave. Then among all the bad news of fires torching the capital and incinerating even their planetarium, one article lit up the night and caught my attention, "American smokejumpers have been dispatched to fires across Australia." Jerry S. Dixon Biologist/Teacher of the Gifted
USFS/BLM/NPS smokejumper/FMO/Fire Ecologist
Rating:
Summary: Beg to differ
Review: I beg to differ with the person citing recent one-star reviews as evidence of a smear campaign aimed at this book. At least one negative review, pointing out several factual errors in the book, was written prior to the posting of the slate.com article. It's true that many negative reviews have been submitted by firefighters and family members outraged by the author's slate.com editorial. But the purpose of these reviews is to help Amazon customers make educated buying decisions. This is a title many firefighters and their friends/family might ordinarily purchase, and they have a right to know this author has maligned the profession to the point of calling a funeral for those killed in the line of duty a "tasteless spectacle." I absolutely defend this author's right to freely express his opinions on firefighting. But those considering buying this book also have the right to know that, while the science in this book may be accurate, in other writings he has demonstrated little understanding of or respect for the human side of the profession.
Rating:
Summary: one star is too much
Review: I got it used for 2.99 and I am left with a feeling like I got taken
Rating: 
Summary: A fascinating read.
Review: I read this book because I wanted to learn more about fires in the Pacific Northwest and the people who fight them. I expected to be most interested in the human aspect of fire-fighting but what surprised me is how interesting the science of fires can be. The author makes even the most complex information easy to understand, and therefore I was fascinated by how fire actually starts and moves. I also enjoyed learning detailed information about the trees and forests surrounding where I live. Perhaps most importantly, reading this book showed me compelling arguments for both sides of the "fight it" or "let it burn" issue, and I have great respect for those who have to make these decisions.
Rating:
Summary: 1 star is far to generous
Review: I was shocked at the simple inaccuracies (such as which interestate runs through Montana) and agast at how the author considers himself a pro after a whopping 4 months of hanging around fire camp. Gantenbeins research is shallow, philosophy limited, and understanding of natural resource policy thin. Don't waste your money, read Dave Strohmier's book instaed. As for me, I spent 5 years intial attack and helitack, worked for Krikendall (portrayal was limited but accurate) and Kevin Ryan funded by Masters degree. Too bad their credibility takes hits shot by being included in such a poor book. They, along with many others, deserve much better. Don't waste your time.
Rating:
Summary: Poorly written and researched
Review: I went to high school and was friends with one of the firefighters killed in the 30 mile fire. I find Gantenbein's book to be poorly researched and an affront to the memory of these fallen heroes. Gantenbein has shown through a recent article on MSN that he holds the firefighting profession in disdain and he believes them to be no more than lazy, uneducated slackers who have "cushy" jobs and have duped the public into believing they are indispensable. I won't go so far as to say "don't waste your time," but be forewarned the author has an agenda.
Rating:
Summary: not worth the paper its printed on
Review: I wont take up too much of your time, Dont waste your money on this one. There are alot of other books written on the subject that are worthy of your time and money. boring boring boring
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