Unabridged Audiobook
The book was great! Loved how it blended story with information. The narrator was not as convincing as the author since some "Cali" words didn't roll off his tongue like he had spent any time on the coastal state. Like totally my own bias, though.
Loved Smokejumper. It's a very interesting deep insight into the world of smokejumpers and fire fighters. Not trying to pose as a hero, the author gives a very honest and candid view of the truth about how they work, the highs and lows that come with fighting bushfires. I recommend it!
I wondered whether this book would be a sensationalized look at an exotic profession... I was pleasantly surprised to find it very down-to-earth and free from heroic stereotypes. Yes, these people are willing to take considerable risks in their work, but their training and resources are impressive. Ramos has keen insights into the role that fire suppression has played in creating our current wildfire situation and how we should deal with the expansion of housing into fire-prone areas. The book is engagingly written, informative, and covers a profession that isn't widely understood. The narrator captures some of Ramos' down-to-earth tone but has an irritating manner of conveying all dialog with rasping affectation. There's a good deal of humor and frankness in the book, but there is human tragedy as well, and it was difficult to judge whether the narrator or the author gave it a somewhat dismissive treatment. The book is definitely worth a listen; for an interesting contrast, try On the Burning Edge.
~~tag-text~~