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In the Range of Fire and Ice: A Human and Natural History of Washington’s Cascades
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 24, 2026
A must-read for anyone living in the Pacific Northwest!
David's light humor, combined with deep scientific knowledge and references, makes this book a perfect blend of a comfort read and an educational exploration.
This is one of those books you'll want in hardback. The pictures and illustrations are beautiful. You'll especially like searching for the book's unofficial mascot, the super cute pika! See where he shows up.
Here are some of the things I learned:
- The rugged Cascades and our many rivers led to the evolution of many different salmon species, which is different than the single Atlantic salmon.
- There are different kinds of volcanoes, and the ones in the Cascades are unique and different, not like the ones in Hawaii!
- If it weren't for glaciers, the Pacific Northwest would be a boring plateau instead of our majestic snow-capped peaks.
- Volcanoes can teach us that there's always life after destruction.
But the best part, the one that made me want to hug the book in thanks, is that there's an appendix in the back with all the trails the author went on that are included in the book. There's also a flora and fauna appendix!
Oh, and did you know there are wolverines in the Cascades? I've lived here most of my life and had no idea.
Message: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
David's light humor, combined with deep scientific knowledge and references, makes this book a perfect blend of a comfort read and an educational exploration.
This is one of those books you'll want in hardback. The pictures and illustrations are beautiful. You'll especially like searching for the book's unofficial mascot, the super cute pika! See where he shows up.
Here are some of the things I learned:
- The rugged Cascades and our many rivers led to the evolution of many different salmon species, which is different than the single Atlantic salmon.
- There are different kinds of volcanoes, and the ones in the Cascades are unique and different, not like the ones in Hawaii!
- If it weren't for glaciers, the Pacific Northwest would be a boring plateau instead of our majestic snow-capped peaks.
- Volcanoes can teach us that there's always life after destruction.
But the best part, the one that made me want to hug the book in thanks, is that there's an appendix in the back with all the trails the author went on that are included in the book. There's also a flora and fauna appendix!
Oh, and did you know there are wolverines in the Cascades? I've lived here most of my life and had no idea.
Message: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As with all of David's books, I came away from "In the Range of Fire and Ice" more in love with the place I have chosen to call home since 1999. More in love because of how David brings to life the life and history that pulsates across Washington's Cascade Mountains.
Can history pulsate? It seems possible when reading about how glaciers from two hundred thousand years ago carved the Cascade mountainscape into a sawtooth profile. Or about how Coast Salish children were tasked with keeping birds from taking drying huckleberries so they could be stored and used throughout the winter in berry "cakes." Or how, in that same season, women and families walked the paths of mountain goats to collect the hair they shed along shrubs.
One of David's gifts as a naturalist, author, and teacher is that he can take things that, in less capable hands, might seem boring and turn them into something real and tangible. "In the Range of Fire and Ice" is an excellent example of this. I find myself looking around and remembering different things I learned, and I am left with a deeper respect and love.
Can history pulsate? It seems possible when reading about how glaciers from two hundred thousand years ago carved the Cascade mountainscape into a sawtooth profile. Or about how Coast Salish children were tasked with keeping birds from taking drying huckleberries so they could be stored and used throughout the winter in berry "cakes." Or how, in that same season, women and families walked the paths of mountain goats to collect the hair they shed along shrubs.
One of David's gifts as a naturalist, author, and teacher is that he can take things that, in less capable hands, might seem boring and turn them into something real and tangible. "In the Range of Fire and Ice" is an excellent example of this. I find myself looking around and remembering different things I learned, and I am left with a deeper respect and love.
September 27, 2026
This was a prerelease edition sent from the Mountaineers. The book brought me back to many places I’ve been and more I’d like to go. I enjoyed the diversity of topics from geology, glaciers and fire, to native people, habitats and impacts. I also enjoyed the photography and graphics that helped enhance the stories throughout the book. Any interesting read for anyone who loves the mountains of Washington, wildlife and ecology.
September 9, 2026
3.75 / 5.0
Very personal exposition on 11 topics relating to the Washington Cascades.
Well written and easy to read. Minimal technical terms are explained well.
Has an appealing conservation/preservation/restoration underlying theme that is very explicit at times, but not quite polemical or judgmental even though it would be justified.
Nice work.
Very personal exposition on 11 topics relating to the Washington Cascades.
Well written and easy to read. Minimal technical terms are explained well.
Has an appealing conservation/preservation/restoration underlying theme that is very explicit at times, but not quite polemical or judgmental even though it would be justified.
Nice work.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews