Wildfire: A Reader

Rating:
Summary: well worth the read
Review: An outstanding collection of essays on wildfire and fire ecology, this book put many of my own ill-formed ideas and smoky musing into clear, engaging words. I recommend reading the latter essays first, which vividly bring the out magic of firefighting and fire use in modern life and conservation. The essay by the editor (True) is a wonderful description of how being a firefighter changed her perceptions of nature (as it did for me and so many others as well); the essay on "pride and glory" reveals what many in fire feel but are often reluctant to reveal; the essay on Cerro Grande taught me a few things I didn't know about that fire; the contributions from the two MacLeans (father and son) are excellent excerpts from their respective books on wildland firefighting (both MUST READS in their own right); and of course good ole Ed Abbey--always ready with a sweet one-liner or two--has some wonderful sections from his life as a fire lookout. Some of the early essays are not nearly as engaging, and might be of limited interest; this is the only reason I gave it four instead of five stars.

If you are fascinated at all with the world of wildland fire, get this book.