Adventures in Volcanoland: What Volcanoes Tell Us About the World and Ourselves

by Tamsin Mather

Adventures in Volcanoland charts journeys across deserts, through jungles and up ice caps, to some of the world's most important volcanoes, from Nicaragua to Hawaii, Santorini to Ethiopia, exploring Tamsin Mather's obsession with these momentous geological formations, the cultural and religious roles they have played in the minds of those living around them at different times throughout history, and the science behind their formation and eruptions.

Volcanoes help to make and shape our world, bursting forth from inside of the earth and, in many places, looming over us. They have helped provide us with a habitable planet, playing a key role in creating the atmosphere, oceans and land. Present since the earth's beginning they continue to maintain its life support systems and, their extraordinary chemistry may even have created the ingredients needed for life to kick start.

In some places volcanoes are even beginning to provide us with part of the energy we need to curb our use of fossil fuels. They have fascinated humans for millennia, their eruptions charted throughout history, seeming to show us how the earth is living, breathing and changing and has been doing so for billions of years.

Why exactly are these geological mammoths found where they are? What can they teach us about our environment, the Anthropocene and the ecological disaster that is climate change? Are there volcanoes on other planets, and what might they tell us about whether we could one day live there if we exhaust our own habitat? How can we predict if or when volcanoes might explode?

Adventures in Volcanoland is an enthralling mix of travel, science and environmental writing for fans of Robert MacFarlane and Raynor Winn.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Geology, Nature, Audiobook, Natural History, Science Nature

384 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2024

About the author

Tamsin Alice Mather FRS MAE is a British Professor of Earth Sciences at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford and a Fellow of University College, Oxford. She studies volcanic processes and their impacts on the Earth's environment and has appeared on the television and radio

Reviews

[Nataliya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volcanoes, the mountains of subterranean fire, portals to hell, divine forges, or repositories of untold riches. Or, as Oxford professor Tamsin Mather succinctly puts it, “A volcano is the tip of a great unseen subterranean plumbing system.” Whatever they are, they are fascinating in their majestic unpredictable menace. And we, humans, have spent a long time coexisting with them, living in their shadows and at times perishing in their wrath. Pompeii, buried by Vesuvius explosion, is probably the easiest example to come to mind, but then there’s also Santorini - an enormous sunken caldera that has seen a cataclysmic eruption, and Krakatoa whose 1883 eruption shook the world and was the first to be widely publicized in the newly connected world, and Santa Maria that devastatingly erupted in 1902 and now has the very active Santiagito.

“Volcanoes were here before us and they will be here long after. The guard may change, but they are sentries of our planet’s deep and ongoing history.”

Volcanoes, the sign of our planet being very much alive and active, have shaped and altered the world many times over. Deccan Traps and Siberian Traps are implicated in unimaginable extinctions. The entire Hawaiian islands chain is the gift of hotspot volcanic activity. And we live right on them or next to them, from Hawaii to the Phlegraean Fields right where Naples, Italy houses its 3 million people to Fuego in Guatemala, a hop and a skip from the country’s capital city.

“Eisen was certainly right about the beauty of the volcanoes, but it is a dark beauty and there is always an edge, a catch. When, in awe, they take your breath away, there is always the risk that one day they won’t give it back.”

It took a while to figure out how they work. It takes meticulous research, and understanding of tectonic plates and magma and volcanic gases and the role of water in eruptions. Mather does not take it easy on the science here. You gotta know your rocks and how they move if you want to understand more than “floor is lava!” adventure, and I’m glad science outweighed any suggestion of a memoir here. It’s quite approachable though, although for some reason my concentration kept on slipping despite interesting material. And even though it didn’t quite spark everlasting love in me, I still have healthy respect both for volcanoes and for the effort and research that went into making this book.

3.5 stars.

——————
Also posted on my blog.

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is important to be honest with yourself as a reviewer. When you don't connect with a book, you need to be able to answer the question, "Why?" I ran into this with Tamsin Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland. Why didn't I connect with it? Well, simply, it's all my fault.

I want to be clear that this is a well-written book with impeccable science and an author passionate about her subject. Mather travels to various places of volcanic activity and discusses what the places look like, the history of the volcano, and the science behind it. This is categorized as a science/travel/nature book and this is exactly how it should be marketed.

All that being said, what's my damn problem? I wasn't honest with myself about my relationship with science which can be charitably described as "frenemies." If a book is about 30-40% science, then I'll have a good time. Once you cross that 60% threshold though, you lose me. This book is heavy on the science and does not disguise that fact.

Quick rant, I hate it when people leave a bad one sentence review to the effect of, "I wish this book was more like this." The author gets to choose the subject and how to tell it. I think reviews should tell a reader if the book is well-written and effectively accomplishes the mission the AUTHOR sets. For Adventures in Volcanoland, Mather nails it. I am just not the target audience for this particular book.

Ok, enough rambling. If you are a science nerd and have even a passing interest in volcanoes then you will love this book. Mather does a fantastic job and that is why I am rating this book highly. If you are like me and can get overwhelmed by the science, then choose this one with care. I still wouldn't tell you NOT to read it. I would just caution you to know what you are getting into.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and HarperCollins.)

[Kristy Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

As mentioned in previous reviews, I have been revisiting my roots in geology this year and hope to further my continuing education in the near future. This nonfiction science-heavy memoir follows a female vulcanologist through her studies and subsequent career in academia and exploits with volcanoes all while juggling marriage and raising a family. I really enjoyed the ride.

Mather provides a personal background to most of the chapters in this book while detailing various excursions to volcanoes such as Masaya in Nicaragua, Santa Maria in Guatemala, and Santorini in Greece as well as many others, while studying various aspects of the referenced volcanoes. In addition, she relates it back to basic earth science classes including the layers of the earth, plate tectonics and the volcanic processes that make a variety of igneous rocks. The author explores the history and early theories and concepts that came before our present understanding of how volcanoes work and how it changes with new data every day.

Keep in mind that the author also has a background in chemistry as well as geology, so I would say this book is more for science nerds than someone with a passing interest in volcanoes but not in the science behind them. This went far beyond the basic “shake and bake” labs that I taught freshman students while in grad school. There are several sections that talk in depth about the chemical makeup of the magma and gases in the various volcanoes and what that might mean for further study and predictions.

I admit to losing interest a bit in the last few chapters. They read like justification for future study of volcanoes and their applications in other fields. I was mainly here for the volcanoes and the science encompassing them. The first two parts of the book were fascinating to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hanover Square Press for a copy provided for an honest review.

[Emily D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dry and granular (ha!) about rock and volcanology details. I didn't have enough background knowledge to enjoy the more science heavy portions of this book. Which was most of the book.

At times it felt like a textbook more than a memoir. Which begs the question who is the audience for this book? I went in expecting cool stories about volcanoes and the people that study them. Instead much of the page time is spent going over different types of rocks, how they move and what their function is. I learned very little about the author and far more about seemingly random basalt cliffs (deposits?).

This might have worked as a textbook or a memoir. But in doing both, this missed the mark.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish this had been more of an adventure. Mather narrates the audiobook herself and does a good job, which is more than can be said of some authors deciding to read their own work. But her soothing delivery actually had the effect of making it difficult - for me, at least - to stay focused on the material. Perhaps that's the problem; in print this might have worked better overall. Or maybe there just wasn't a desirable memoir/science ratio! I did learn some things, but felt that quite a bit of the science was difficult to retain after the fact. Again, maybe that's just my problem and not the book's.

[Sarah]

TL;DR: While this one wasn’t entirely for me, I do think there is a lot to be gained for people who are interested.
Source: NetGalley via the publisher, thank you!

Structure: This one is billed as part memoir, which I don’t think is accurate. It’s more a study of the different volcanic events. It does flow well though.
Science: She made this fairly easy to read and visualize so it’s not too off-putting or challenging
Locations: For me this was the best part. She visits and talks about a lot of different volcanos and even looks at what we know of volcanos on other planets!

Thoughts:

This is one I struggled with and it had absolutely nothing to do with the book itself. I have some very specific phobias, and I didn’t know until now that volcanos are in that list. Now, as I’m someone who forces myself to face my fears when possible I did finish this one, but I did need to skim on some sections. A good chunk of the beginning really did cause me to put the book down. What I read I found interesting, from the way the plume forms to how high rocks and debris can fall from the top of the plume - terrifying. The middle to half I was able to dial in more and enjoyed a great deal of it.

The author uses her travels as a way to explain and look at different aspects of volcanos. She does this very well and the places she goes to are varied and diverse. My favorite was probably Atacama. The way she described it and referenced other literature about the place to enforce it’s beauty was lovely. My favorite portions by far were her looks at what volcanos might be like on other planets. That was absolutely fascinating and something I’d not given any thought to previously.

If you love volcanos and geology I’d really recommend this one. Even though I’m not putting a rating on it and I found the first part hard (again, all on me) I found so much to learn in the book that I’ll likely revisit it in the future as I work on this particular fear. Pick it up if you’re interested.

[Sophie Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book filled me with longing for another life where I chose to study geology, instead of following the whims of my idiotic 17 year old brain. I am so enthralled by volcanism and thoroughly enjoyed this sojourn through them. I find it comforting to think of how brief my lifetime is compared to the geologic time scale, the eons through which these mountains wax and wane, and that the mantle is only ever biding its time under my feet.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

really enjoyed this deep dive into the current state of volcanology. The vocabulary alone was fun -- Magmicity! I definitely had my eyes glaze over through some of the more technical stuff, but man, it was great to learn more aobu the current state of what we know about volcanos on our planet and in outer space!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

For me, Adventures in Volcanoland is to volcanoes, what The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World was for dinosaurs, and as a lover of both volcanoes and dinosaurs, I am so happy that there are experts willing to write about the topics they love in layman's terms.

I love that Tamsin Mather starts this book out with a childhood trip to Pompeii because I think for many, myself included, Pompeii and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius is the first example learned about when talking about volcanoes and volcanic eruptions. This is science heavy but well explained and I love that she drops bits about her own travels and experiences throughout the story, and that she includes how volcanoes shaped or were incorporated into local communities and cultures.

The last section of the book is also deals with space volcanoes (which is not something I knew existed but now need to learn more about) and with how what we know about volcanoes can help us navigate the current climate crisis.

Overall, I thought this was a really great example of good science communication and highly recommend for anyone looking for a new science book or who also never grew out of their childhood volcano phase.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite tales of experimentation with new methods of volcano monitoring at Vesuvius is that of Frank Perret, an American engineer who traveled to Italy for his health and became enraptured by the mountain. In the days prior to Vesuvius’s 1906 eruption he found that he could “hear” a continuous buzzing from below when he set his upper teeth against his iron bedstead. Perret had transformed his own skull into a crude seismometer, detecting the hum created by the movement of magma and gas under the volcano.

Volcanoes hold a multiplicity of timescales within them. Processes occurring over millions of years to fractions of a second determine their consequences. They hold in them the human timescale. They figure in our written histories and, for some of us, interact with our personal stories. They change with us over spans of time that we can readily make sense of. But their rocks and other markers in Earth’s geological archives are also messengers from the deeper history of our world. They remind us of how short our own existence is, and how much bigger and older our planet is. They require us to imagine places that are lost to us in time or inaccessible in their conditions of temperature or pressure to our frail abilities to truly experience them.

Well written with a lot of interesting facts and experiences with volcanoes as her life’s work, this did not resonate with me as much about our planet and geology often does, but still an interesting read. I love to learn about Yellowstone and the volcanic story of Hawaii, and some of my favorite rocks are of volcanic origin in the San Juan and West Elk Mountains of Colorado, this purple, glowing breccia forged in cataclysmic eruptions.

Fire remains at the heart of volcano taxonomy even today. Volcano names like Fogo (“fire” in Portuguese) in Cape Verde, Fuego (“fire” in Spanish) in both Guatemala and the Canary Islands, and the Piton de la Fournaise (French for “Peak of the Furnace”), the first volcano I ever saw erupting, on Réunion Island, record the reach of European colonialism. But languages across the globe capture volcanoes as fiery or smoking mountains: from individual volcano names like Erta Ale in Ethiopia (“smoking mountain” in the local language) and Gunung Api in Indonesia (“gunung” for mountain and “api” for fire, flame, blaze, light or glimmer) to the general words for volcano meaning fire or burning mountain in places as far flung as Iceland (eldfjall), Japan/China (“kazan” or “huŎ shān”) and Samoa (mauga mu). Fire is also branded into the technical language of volcanology. The shattered fragments of rock found after volcanic activity are pyroclasts (Greek for “fire” and “broken in pieces”). The finest sand-like products of volcanic explosions are known as “ash.” Vigorous displays of volcanic activity in places like Kīlauea on Hawaii or Etna are described as “fire fountains”—just right to convey what is seen. These terms are evocative and help to relate the unusual phenomena of volcanism in a shared lexicon of experience, even if they are technically wrong.

Volcanoes were there when the first basic life evolved somewhere in our planet’s ancient waters. It may even have been volcanic heat, in deep-sea hydrothermal vents, or volcanic lightning during explosive eruptions, that helped to rearrange some of Earth’s atoms into the first primitive molecular building blocks, allowing biology somehow to begin. Much later, volcanoes looked on as plants spread to cover the continents, and the first animals crawled from the sea to make the land their home. As geological time has ticked on, the rocks have witnessed the planet’s story. Species have waxed and waned, sometimes gently but sometimes abruptly in the great dyings of mass extinctions, when immense swathes of species have been cut out of history in a geological flash. Volcanoes likely played a part in these events, too, although many questions and much mystery remain about their exact role.

My own pictures:
San Juan andesite breccia near Ouray, Colorado



West Elk breccia off Kebler Pass

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Adventures in Volcanoland” is a book about how, where, and why volcanos are formed, why they erupt, and how they continuously shape our world.

It’s also a book about how volcanos help keep Earth in balance, maintaining this “Goldilocks” (my quote) environment and temperature, and permitting life on this planet to thrive.

Finally, it’s a story about the impact that carbon release from volcanos has had on our planet, and - while correlation may not be causality - how human emissions of carbon might well have similar catastrophic effects if we do not get this under better control.

I’ve always been fascinated with volcanos, having visited so many around the world - Mt Fuji and Aso Mountain in Japan, Mt. Agung and Kelimutu in Indonesia, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii, Vesuvius in Italy, and Santorini in Greece, as well as sites of super volcanos – Lake Toba on Sumatra and Yellowstone in Wyoming.

I’m attracted to their beauty, destructive power, the physics and chemistry relating to how they work, and how they help us better understand this planet. I picked up this book to help better understand what I’ve seen, and to fill in the blanks in my education about the world we inhabit.

“Adventures” taught me a lot starting with the types of volcanos in the world, including those that grow in the following regions of Earth:

1. Constructive (divergent) plate boundaries – where plates are moving away from each other and new crust is created between the plates e.g., Iceland.

2. Destructive (convergent) plate boundaries – where plates are moving towards each other and old crust is either dragged down into the mantle or pushed up into mountain ranges, e.g., Japan and Indonesia.

3. Hot spots – where a plate moves over a magma hot spot and a chain of volcanos is created. This chain traces the plate’s movement, e.g., Hawaii.

The thing I liked most about the book was how it renewed my sense of awe about the planet we inhabit. Earth is truly a remarkable place and there are so many factors – including volcanos – that contribute to this wonder and the stability of our planet. Yet we really are only starting to understand how magical it is and how small we humans are.

The book helped me better understand that which is below my feet – the rocks, liquids and gases trapped below Earth’s surface - and what is in the air above us. I learned more about how chemistry helps determine how violent an eruption can (different gases will be released as magma rises) be as well as how physics will determine how volcanic material – gases, particles etc. – affect our global climate. And in the worst cases cause “Volcanic winters” by blocking the sun before its rays hit Earth.

I also enjoyed the author’s storytelling approach, weaving in her role in this great adventure in Volcanoland! The author seem to write this as both a travelogue and an extended article on the science of volcanos.

While there were a few diagrams and photos to support the arguments put forth, I felt that the author needed to provide more diagrams and references to help the reader better understand her points. I found myself turning to Google to find out more – especially about the locations where volcanos grow (see the three points above) and how Hotspots help form the Hawaiian and other Pacific islands.

This is a very good book, especially if you’re interested in volcanos and the wonders of earth; but it’s also one that needed a little more reference to communicate more effectively.

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of an impulse buy after seeing the book advertised somewhere. Volcanoes have been something of a fascination for me as part of my geological training. I was fortunate to have been able to study in New Zealand, so there were plenty of volcanoes to bring the ideas to life, from the gently sloped shield volcanoes around Auckland, through the majestic andesite cones of Taranaki and Ngauruhoe, to the imagined magnitude of Taupo and other rhyolitic centres in the Central Volcanic Zone.
The author of Volcanoland has spent a career looking at volcanic gases and what story they tell about vulcanism, including what we don’t see as magma proceeds upwards without reaching the surface. She has had fantastic access to many of the world’s volcanic centres and while some of the trips themselves would not have been easy, the privilege of this experience comes across in the various stories.
But I was hoping more of the science would be part of the stories. Yes, some of the interesting aspects of general vulcanism was talked about, but I would have liked to know more about the discoveries she has made – I worry that this has been left out by the editors to keep it from getting ‘too technical’, yet this is the core of the Author’s work for decades! The anthropogenic CO2 issue also got more airtime than it needed, not featuring as prominently on her publications list as cool stuff like Hg, HNO3, halogens and so on. Perhaps this book will be popular enough to support a sequel which goes into the detail!

[PyranopterinMo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really well written. On the other hand it is more a traveler's guide and diary than a detailed scientific text. It covers a huge amount of material some that reviews every earth science documentary and lecture you've heard or watched but a lot of it is interesting. I would have liked some detailed tables and color photos/diagrams not a few black and white memento photos and sketches. Like a map of extictions and CO2 levels in different regions where they could be correlated and where they couldn't. Also the actual numbers for emissions of such interesting elements as mercury and acids such as hydrofluoric acid. I thought it would be in Wikipedia but couldn't find it.
The author did work on measuring volcanic emission especially carbon dioxide and the only numbers I remember are the comparison of human and volcanic annual and total emissions. She does discuss past periods of extreme volcanism, in the last chapter, so hang in there. Also mercury. I am not surprised because burning garbage also releases mercury.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been studying volcanoes since I was a kid, but couldn’t really get into Adventures in Volcanoland. I tried the audiobook, and then the print edition. The combination of memoir and science made it difficult to follow, though I enjoy both genres.

I liked the information about specific volcanoes. The general volcano information was more confusing, and could have been improved by referring back to key geological concepts and better separation of science and anecdote. Though I’ve collected and identified rocks since childhood, the descriptions of volcanic rocks weren’t concisely listed and grouped, thus were hard for me to individuate. The interspersing of personal story and the florid language made me quit at just over 100 pages. I like this sort of language when applied to history, but it distracted me from learning more about volcanoes.

It’s beautifully written, but just not for me, alas.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of vulcanology and geoscience made personal and understandable. Included in the science are the investigations at Santorini, Hawaii, Italy, and lots more which gives the reader context in which to assimilate the science stuff (geosciences, geochemistry, geophysics, plate tectonics) and the immediate as well as long range effects of a volcanic eruption whether in human history or relatively recently. Fascinating stuff for this science nerd.
I requested and received a free (Not TTS enabled) temporary EARC from HarperCollins | Hanover Square Press via NetGalley. I was frustrated with my vision issues preventing me from enjoying it, so I promptly purchased an audio as soon as it was available. Voice actor Emma Spurgin Hussey has the perfect voice and delivery for this nonfiction yet not extremely technical exploration to the center of our planet.

[Holly Keimig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book happened to catch my eye at the library and I was really excited to be able to listen to the audio book. I love volcanoes so I don't think it's a surprise that I enjoyed this one. As someone that has read a lot of books on volcanoes, this one had some new facts and information about volcanoes that I hadn't read before which was awesome. I really enjoy the sort of memoir/travelogue/accessible science information mix that the author uses to write each chapter. This would be a great book to read if you knew nothing about volcanoes and wanted a not-dry introduction that is accessible and full of interesting facts and stories. Highly recommend checking this one out! The audio book was pleasant to listen to as well, but the book does have some images and diagrams you may want the actual book to reference.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Tamsin Mather, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting read about intriguing questions about volcanos written by a world expert on the topic. Rather than do a survey of the volcanoes across the world (and solar system), the author posts an interesting question on a relevant topic, then answers the question using data from a volcano she has visited to enhance the answer. The science is understandable, the topic is fascinating, and the examples are interesting. Recommended for those of us interested in the earth, geology, volcanoes, and science.

#HarlequinTradePublishing

[M Delea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike many of the science books I read/listen to, this one had more science and less memoir. The start of the book seemed especially heavy with the science of volcanoes. Good stuff but for me, not as interesting as what follows.

The stories, histories, and anecdotes involving volcanoes were fascinating. From ancient mythology to our current state of environmental crisis, the author covers a lot of ground. Mark Twain, Charles Darwin, and Ben Franklin are just 3 of the folks who show up.

A great read for those interested in nature, natural disasters, and history of hard sciences.

[Pollyanna_Pockets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volcanoes are so cool.

I listened to the audiobook and she sounded like the David Attenborough of Volcanoes, or at least to me I was captivated in the same way as I do when watching nature documentaries. Some of the heavier bits pertaining to the chemistry and earth science I had to rewind and listen to more closely, but from what I gathered when I wanted/needed to sit down and listen more closely it was super cool.

Overall, I enjoyed it and learned a lot of new things surrounding volcanoes!

[Poptartk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mather is an ace in translating the volcanic research she's doing across the globe into explanations a layperson can understand. This fascinating book discuss what we know about this powerful force and how it has shaped the planet, usually balancing the atmosphere rendering it conducive to life and driving plate tectonics, along with what it can tell us about human-driven climate change. That said, I found the most interesting chapter—for me—to be the one about extraterrestrial volcanism. This is an excellent and, IMHO, important read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling, informative, and my god yet another book that will get me in trouble.

Mather's Volcanoland pairs perfectly with Susan Cain's The Underworld. Both bring centuries worth of science to life with poetic phrases and a dreamer's passion. They are vividly informative. I now want to speak endlessly on tetonic plates, mountains, CO2 levels and how it's all connected man.

It took a little while to find my reading pace in this because I was unfamiliar with some of the science. But with a bit of patience and a running start, it became incredibly hard to put down.

Highly suggested!

[Pumpkin+Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can finally stop talking about Jeffrey Dahmer at parties, because now I have the factoid that Kilauea would be as tall as Olympus Mons on Mars if it wasn't for the shifting of our continental plates.

And then the crowd of people listening to me raptly will gasp and ask, "But how tall IS Olympus Mons?", and just like that I'm the most popular person at the party.

When I recounted this fantastical supposition to one of my kids, she informed me that this was the most autistic thing she'd ever heard me say. She does NOT know what it takes to be popular at parties, poor thing.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes the reader on an expedition across the globe, exploring the awe-inspiring world of volcanoes. Beautifully written, informative, and easy to read, this blend of memoir, travel, and science reveals the cultural significance and natural wonders of these fiery giants. From Nicaragua to Hawaii, Santorini to Ethiopia, the book uncovers the mysteries that shape our world.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a mix of volcano science, in the field anecdotes of volcano research in exciting places, and musings on the scary thought that humanity is now exerting more destructive collective force than all the world's volcanoes combined. I'm not sure if it was the mix, or my distracted mood, or just that I'm not that into volcanoes, but I did struggle to concentrate on this one. Even the bits about volcanoes on Mars.

[Lonnie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really very interesting stuff. The science talk is written in fairly approachable language. Though there are sections that drag a bit.
Based on the subtitle (“What volcanoes tell us about the world and ourselves”) I was expecting more of an intervention of volcanology/geology with some sort of anthropology, but really only got the volcanology/geology.
Hard not to enjoy a scientist so knowledgeable and passionate talk about their area of expertise and experience though.

[Kaylee M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with a lot of the reviews here. Mather tries to make a very science-y, technical memoir and it very much misses the mark. It’s not quite scientific enough to be a textbook but the huge chunks of technical information really take the reader out of the story. I wanted to hear about her adventures in volcanoland and I felt like I got a very dry geology lecture interspersed with anecdotes.

She is extremely knowledgeable and obviously passionate but it just didn’t work together.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated 5/5 because of the level of research, knowledge, and clear passion about volcanoes and humanity. Written from an evolutionary viewpoint, the book is a comprehensive amount of information related to volcanoes on land, undersea, and found on the surface of planets in space. Prior upper-level education and/or adequate focusing skills are recommended to comprehend and/or enjoy the information.

[Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always down with a good science book! maybe a little meandering, but what a great overview on the recent advances in volcanology. How's it all going to go down when the next big volcano goes off ... when and where ... should be an exciting day ... just like this book!

[pianogal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sad b/c I wanted to like this one more than I did. I liked the author and I thought it was very well researched. The writing style was just dry. For such a fiery topic, I had trouble staying in the text. Ok read, but it takes some work to keep with it.

[HTP Books]

Science & Technology Biographies & Autobiographies, Travel Essays & Travelogues, Earthquakes & Volcanoes