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Rating: 
Summary: A tribute to the bravery of those who fight wildland fires
Review: For generations, fighting wildland fire has been a Western rite of passage, and Thoele reveals the special nature of the people who every summer put their lives on the line against wildland fire's rage. In their annual war, daring pilots dive into flaming canyons and smokejumpers leap into rugged wilderness regions. Hot shots, the shock troops of wildland fire, take on giant conflagrations.Fire Line is the story and history of fire in the West, but it is also a story about modern-day courage and bravery. This is a compelling read for anyone attracted to real-life drama, for anyone ever fascinated by fire.
Rating: 
Summary: Now More than Ever
Review: It's been several years since Mike Thoele wrote his fine book, but it's still a valuable primer on the people who fight wildland fire. With catastrophic fires burning across the West this summer of 2000, the worst fire season in half a century, it's worth taking another look at Fire Line. When we venture into the woods, especially to build a home or cabin, we should remember who we put at risk. Thoele's book puts faces on firefighters: they could be neighbors or friends; they could be ourselves. Making a dwelling fire-safe is not the most expensive or difficult job in the world, but it gives firefighters like the ones in Thoele's book a better chance of making it home at the end of a 14 day shift, some of those days 24 hour days. Thoele's book is a colorful, readable and pleasant telling of the story of the wildland firefighter.
Rating:
Summary: Now More than Ever
Review: It's been several years since Mike Thoele wrote his fine book, but it's still a valuable primer on the people who fight wildland fire. With catastrophic fires burning across the West this summer of 2000, the worst fire season in half a century, it's worth taking another look at Fire Line. When we venture into the woods, especially to build a home or cabin, we should remember who we put at risk. Thoele's book puts faces on firefighters: they could be neighbors or friends; they could be ourselves. Making a dwelling fire-safe is not the most expensive or difficult job in the world, but it gives firefighters like the ones in Thoele's book a better chance of making it home at the end of a 14 day shift, some of those days 24 hour days. Thoele's book is a colorful, readable and pleasant telling of the story of the wildland firefighter.
Rating:
Summary: The very best book available on Western wildfires
Review: Mike Thoele is one of the few humans truly qualified to write a book that accurately portrays the culture and the people of wildland fire. And he has done a spectacular job of it with this fine book. Since the major rager fires of 1910, Americans have fought wildfires in the forests and grasslands and deserts of the West. The summer warriors who take on these battles are a breed apart, and Thoele explains why. He shows us, with an impressive collection of photos, and tells us, with well-crafted stories, who they are and what they do. From tanker pilot Laddie Lash's breath-taking canyon dives, to exhausted firefighters sleeping in a pile in the dirt, to the "generals" plotting strategy in the command center of the war on wildfire, Thoele takes us there. If you've made a 20-year career of it, or if you know nothing of wildfire and have not even seen a wilderness fire camp, you will learn from this book what it's all about. Thoele portrays the people who are bitten by the fire bug, the men and women who go back, year after year, to do battle with the dragon of fire, both accurately and dramatically. Every bit of this impressive book is right-on and readable, even for those who have but a passing interest in wildfire. Perhaps the best reviews, though -- or the most credible reviews -- are those of the firefighters themselves, and I have heard from dozens of them what they think of this book. They call it a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: The very best book available on Western wildfires
Review: Mike Thoele is one of the few humans truly qualified to write a book that accurately portrays the culture and the people of wildland fire. And he has done a spectacular job of it with this fine book. Since the major rager fires of 1910, Americans have fought wildfires in the forests and grasslands and deserts of the West. The summer warriors who take on these battles are a breed apart, and Thoele explains why. He shows us, with an impressive collection of photos, and tells us, with well-crafted stories, who they are and what they do. From tanker pilot Laddie Lash's breath-taking canyon dives, to exhausted firefighters sleeping in a pile in the dirt, to the "generals" plotting strategy in the command center of the war on wildfire, Thoele takes us there. If you've made a 20-year career of it, or if you know nothing of wildfire and have not even seen a wilderness fire camp, you will learn from this book what it's all about. Thoele portrays the people who are bitten by the fire bug, the men and women who go back, year after year, to do battle with the dragon of fire, both accurately and dramatically. Every bit of this impressive book is right-on and readable, even for those who have but a passing interest in wildfire. Perhaps the best reviews, though -- or the most credible reviews -- are those of the firefighters themselves, and I have heard from dozens of them what they think of this book. They call it a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Great Insight on the fireline
Review: Probably one of the best wildland fire books I have ever read. In my 25+ years of firefighting this one captures the scenes of a wildland fire the best. The pictures are great and the narration and stories truly catch you up in the whole fire scene. Buy it for the pictures or the stories--but get a copy, You will enjoy it for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Great Insight on the fireline
Review: Probably one of the best wildland fire books I have ever read. In my 25+ years of firefighting this one captures the scenes of a wildland fire the best. The pictures are great and the narration and stories truly catch you up in the whole fire scene. Buy it for the pictures or the stories--but get a copy, You will enjoy it for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This coffee-table sized book has some incredible photos and a great human-interest slant on the world of wildland firefighting. There is a bit on the history of wildland fire in America and on tactics and fire ecology, but the author really shines when he describes the subculture of those who fight wildland fire, and why many of them forsake "normal" careers or social status to come back year after year. Wildland fire in rural America is one of the few paths to genuine adventure still available in the modern world, and is probably the closest thing to a positive rite of passage there is today. It is an opportunity to live and work in the wilderness which most people will never have. I've been there, done that myself and found this book of much interest. Although, with the catastrophic fire seasons of 2000 and 2002 this book is no longer quite up to date. Looking forward to a revised and updated edition.
Rating:
Summary: A Firefighter's View...
Review: When I first picked up a copy of Michael Thoele's Fire Line, I was quite skeptical, having served 5 years in the late 1990's as a Region One Firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service in Montana while working my way through college to earn an engineering degree at Montana State University. All too often, Books, Documentaries, and movies leave much to be desired when it comes to correctly describing the world of Wildland Firefighting and the characters that inhabit that world. After having read the work completely, I must say that I am very impressed. I have read it now more than a few times, and still return to it when I feel the need to keep alive all the wonderful memories of the unique people that I met and the experiences that we shared. Having started out as an "Engine Slug" on the Gallatin National Forest, and having worked my way up and around the fire eschelons-- serving as a helitack crew member, eventually earning my quals as an Incident Commander, and serving my time as a Rookie Smokejumper in Missoula, I have seen and done much that Mr. Thoele accurately describes. I think what makes the book work so well is that the author lets the book be itself. By this, I mean that many of the stories and photos are those related to and given to the author. The research for this book is absolutly top-notch, [as it MUST be], and takes nothing away from the fast-paced, hard-hitting, gritty and spine-tingling stories related by the author. In my opinion, this is the finest book currently on the market that documents Wildland Firefighting in the western United States, both in scope and depth. It is a fitting tribute to all Wildland Firefighters, Past, Present and Future.
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