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Volcano: Live, Dormant and Extinct Volcanoes Around the World

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Illustrated with 200 spectacular photographs,  Volcano  is a fascinating visual journey around the globe, selecting the most striking live and extinct volcanoes from Alaska to Antarctica, from Tanzania to Tasmania, from Kamchatka in Russia's far east to Indonesia and the Philippines.

Did you know that there are more than 60 active volcanoes in Europe today? Or that the longest-existing lava lake is in Ethiopia? Or that Mount Stromboli off the coast of Italy has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2,000 years? Alongside famous volcanoes such as Mount Etna in Sicily, Mount Vesuvius on the Italian mainland and Mount St. Helens in Washington State, this book features many lesser-known but equally interesting volcanoes across all the continents. Each entry is accompanied with a fascinating caption explaining not only the geological forces at work, but also how the volcano has shaped the history of the surrounding areas across millennia. Presented in a landscape format and with outstanding color photographs of around 100 entries,  Volcano  is a stunning collection of images.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

14 people want to read

About the author

Robert J. Ford

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for 8stitches 9lives.
2,853 reviews1,725 followers
April 14, 2021
Volcano is a collection of gasp-worthy, awe-inspiring photographs of some of the world's most impressive volcanoes. Split into chapters based on the five continents, Ford presents stunning and vivid full-colour imagery alongside a paragraph of basic yet fascinating information on each. This is really a book targeted at those who wish to see the sheer magnitude and breathtaking majesty of Earth's natural wonders. While it does inform you of the basic details of each volcano and its site, this is very much a visual representation of their raw power and the unrelenting beauty of Mother Nature, than a chance to learn. There are few sights on Earth's landscapes as mesmerising as a volcano - active or dormant. And this new tome underscores this, offering 'a visual celebration of the most impressive, infamous and active volcanoes from all corners of the globe'.

Volcano, by Robert J Ford, takes the reader on an eye-opening photographic tour from Hawaii to Chile and from Portugal to New Zealand, taking in phenomena that, as Ford says in his introduction, are reminders of Earth's raw power. He writes: 'We humans have felt for centuries that we have mastery over our world – transforming it to suit our needs and ways of life. Yet our planet now and again sends reminders that we are but residents upon its back. 'Volcanoes are the most powerful of these, which humans snuggled up against over time as we expand our built environment into every corner of the natural world.' Never before have I encountered such a mind-blowing set of pictures from all around the world. If you're a fan of Volcanoes or photographs that make you perceive everything in life a little differently then this is a must-read. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Jen.
3,484 reviews27 followers
April 10, 2021
First off, while this book is stunning on an eReader, I HIGHLY recommend the physical book format, as the pictures will just be larger and the text a tad bigger. I'm not tech savvy, so maybe I could have made things bugger, but I tend to just mess it up, so I leave it as it is.

THIS BOOK. It was STUNNING and I learned SO MUCH from it. I wasn't into the Earth and all of the stuff that naturally happens on/in it when I was a kid, so much of this was eye-opening and made me realize, yet again, that I am a moron. It's one of the reasons that I love to read, I'm constantly learning new things and this book delivers IN SPADES.

The pictures are GORGEOUS and the information is delivered in bite-sized chunks, so easy to digest.

I am now watching the live cams of the volcano that just decided to be active after 600-6,000 years of dormancy in Iceland and it is FASCINATING and a GREAT way to augment this book. (I said 600-6,000 because when I casually look it up, the internet says 600, 800 and 6,000 years. I admit, I didn't dig much deeper than that before writing this review, but since the review is about the book and not the Icelandic volcano, I figured it would be ok and I'll look it up in more detail later. :)

But, if that volcano has enthralled you and you want to dig deeper into volcanos around the world and in general, THIS is the book for you. I honestly can't recommend it enough and it has come out at the perfect time, considering Iceland's newly active volcano. I didn't think I would be so enthusiastic about this book, volcanos weren't really my thing or ever on my radar, but NOW? Yeah, I have a new thing. : )

5, white-hot shiny lava, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maddy Addison.
120 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2021
“Volcano” is the art of science presented artfully

Posted on April 1, 2021 by michellelovatosbookreviews, world's first book color commentator, book reviews with a twist

Some things are simply natural.
I was born interested in geology, weather patterns, tidal flows, the appearance of the sun and the moon that seemed opposite each other in the sky. I stand in awe of a beauty that has no appropriate adjectives to do it justice.
I live on the San Andres Fault, grew up experiencing earthquakes, forest fires, giant waves that sweep human life into death with one swoop of its hands. To understand how one green shale rock sits on the Cajon Pass and its partner sits hundreds of miles to the south means I must learn about the force of nature that can move those things into action. Volcano eruptions, to me, seem like the gas ready to propel the earth into motion.
Someone once told me volcanos are like teenager’s pimples ready to pop on the face of the earth. Something tells me I might need a more educated explanation of this subject.
Volcano: Live, Dormant and Extinct Volcanos Around the World, by Robert J. Ford, is an extension of that natural love. This gorgeous science and travel hardcover tabletop book is a showpiece. Its art leaps off the page and captures a piece of our world’s beauty I’ve not seen before.
Volcanos feature my “first-love of volcanos” if there is such a thing, Mount Vesuvius, and the time-stopping human sculpture it created when its hot Molton lava turned them to stone in the night.
Ford shares his knowledge about more than 60 active European volcanos, the longest-existing lava lake in Ethiopia, and Mount Stromboli, continually erupting for 2,000 years, which is located off the coast of Italy.
Ford presents 200 spectacular photos in this book and is highlighted even more if seen on the illuminated backscreen of a computer reading device.
Ford takes readers to Alaska, Antarctica, Tanzania, Tasmania, Russia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sicily, and, my closest neighbor, Washington state.
Learn the science behind this awesome empire builder and how it changed our world and you will find your imagination interacting with science to create a natural reality.

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Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128: 1-2
Profile Image for Vanessa.
842 reviews60 followers
January 12, 2024
I am bursting with enthusiasm as I share my exuberant five-star review for Robert J. Ford's "Volcano: Live, Dormant and Extinct Volcanoes around the World." Brace yourself for a literary adventure that transcends the boundaries of conventional reading and plunges you into the heart of Earth's breathtaking wonders—a visual and intellectual feast for lovers of photography and nature enthusiasts alike.

From the very first page, Ford sweeps readers into a captivating journey, revealing the astonishing fact that Europe hosts more than 60 active volcanoes today. This revelation serves as a mere glimpse into the treasure trove of geological marvels that await exploration. The book is a pulsating ode to the planet's diverse volcanic landscapes, showcasing the most striking live and dormant specimens from Alaska to Antarctica, Tanzania to Tasmania, Kamchatka to Indonesia, and beyond.

The pièce de résistance of this literary masterpiece is undoubtedly the 200 spectacular photographs that adorn its pages. Each image is a visual symphony, capturing the raw power and ethereal beauty of volcanoes with unparalleled clarity and finesse. The sheer variety of landscapes, colors, and geological formations is a testament to Ford's keen eye and dedication to presenting the Earth's fiery heart in all its splendor.

Ford not only acquaints readers with renowned volcanic giants like Mount Etna, Vesuvius, and St Helens but also unveils hidden gems, lesser-known yet equally captivating, across all continents. The accompanying captions are a treasure trove of knowledge, delving not only into the geological forces at play but also narrating how these volcanic landscapes have shaped the history of their surroundings over millennia.

The landscape format of the book is a stroke of genius, enhancing the immersive experience and allowing readers to savor the panoramic grandeur of these natural wonders. The layout complements the photographs, creating a synergy that elevates the visual and intellectual impact of each entry.

"Volcano" is more than a book; it is a breathtaking collection of Earth's most dynamic and awe-inspiring phenomena. Ford's narrative, coupled with the stunning visuals, creates an emotional and intellectual connection with the forces that shape our planet.
For fellow enthusiasts of photography and nature, this book is not just a recommendation; it's a mandatory journey into the heart of Earth's fiery soul.
1,824 reviews35 followers
March 1, 2021
Talk about a gorgeous book! The photography is breathtaking (the lighting!) and the information really taught me a lot. I have been to a few volcanoes detailed in this book and a trip was affected by another so had a bit of a personal reason to read more. There are well-known volcanoes as well as many which are lesser known, such a variety, many of which I hadn't heard of before! Some are dormant, some very active, some small, some large but all fascinating and powerful! Very courageous photographers.

In Grade 4 after learning about Pompeii volcanology has intrigued me. Mount Vesuvius was the first I saw which led to Etna, Stromboli and others. This book captures them so beautifully from interesting vantage points and perspectives. The descriptions of each include details such as the type of volcano (subglacial, stratovolcano, basaltic shield, etc.), life and livestock tragically lost, populations nearby, lava contents, the height of plumes and ash and land mass/island formation. Though horrifying and sobering, volcanoes are awesome in their majesty.

If you enjoy statistics and reading about the power of nature, you will adore this book. It opened up a new world of volcanoes for me to research! I love that.

My sincere thank you to Amber Books Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this inspiring ARCI
9,108 reviews130 followers
March 1, 2021
I've long been grateful for the way these books from this publisher manage to mix education with the entertainment their stunning visual qualities provides. Here, with the extended (yet at times too repetitive) captions for each and every photo and each and every kind of volcanic end product, I was learning a lot, but not always the essential things, when I wanted to be. There is nothing about the dreaded supervolcano; a cinder cone type was mentioned and we were forced to wait to see why they're special; and there was no way for the text to tell us just how the rocks and prehistoric eruptions could be dated so well (it's not just the radioactivity in the rocks, but the fossil if you like of the ancient magnetic direction of the planet, if I recall correctly). At the same time, I definitely grew to realise there are more chunks of volcanoes on mainland USA than I did, and I definitely welcomed the rare(-to-me) images of the peaks in the Kamchatka region. Just because they're not going to wipe a city out any time soon, it doesn't mean they're not compellingly beautiful death-traps. Come here, then, either for the geographical low-down on many a summit, or for the masterful photography, and stay for the other side of the equation. A healthy four stars.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
1,557 reviews47 followers
March 9, 2021
I was almost a geology major partly because of my love of volcanoes, but ended up studying geography where we also discussed the incredible natural and cultural impacts of volcanoes. This book spoke to the love I have for nature’s finely wonders. The book was divided into regions of the world with a brief summary of the area and rest was filled with photos and tiny captions. If you’re buying a coffee table picture book this is the type of book you want. The photographs were absolutely stunning. Some capturing the volcano mid eruption with lightning and lava spraying, while others show the quiet beauty of a extinct or dormant volcano reclaimed by nature. I particularly loved seeing the volcanoes I have hiked or seen from afar. It even added a few to my bucket list. The book really made me want to see actual lava in person, though I don’t think I’d have enough self control to not try and touch it, which could be a problem. Overall this book was beautiful and definitely worth flipping through.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for WorldconReader.
266 reviews15 followers
March 24, 2021
I would like to thank the publisher, Amber Books, and the author, Robert J. Ford, for kindly providing an electronic advance reading copy of this book.

"Volcano" by Robert J. Ford is a coffee table picture book which showcases over 200 spectacular photos of over 100 volcanoes. Krakatoa, Vesuvius, St. Helen's, Fuji, Mauna Loa, Eyjafjallajokull, etc. If you have heard of a specific volcano it is probably in this book. These photographs range from hauntingly violent to calmingly peaceful to achingly beautiful. Many are completely suitable for framing and display. All are educational and thought provoking.

The book is organized by five geographical areas and includes a detailed discussion of each volcano. The explanations include relevant history, interesting facts, scientific details, geographic terms, and even cultural tidbits and anecdotes. Although it might have been nice to have maps to accompany each volcano, this may have distracted from the focus and emotional impact of the photography. All in all, it was a pleasure to peruse this book.
651 reviews17 followers
May 7, 2021
Since I was a young adult I've enjoyed learning about volcano's so when this book became available on Netgalley I knew I had to review it.

The book is full of photographs of the different volcano's that litter planet earth. It is divided into 5 different continents: Europe, Africa & Middle East, Asia, Pacific & Antartica, North America & Caribbean and Central & South America.

I didn't realise Europe has 60 volcanos, apart from Italy and Iceland you don't consider many other places to have them. Nor did I know that Russia had any - I'm certainly learning a lot today!!

The photographs in this book are just spectacular; there are over 190 of them. Some are taken from overhead, others up close or at night so the lava shows up. Others show the devastation of the volcano, be that at Pompeii or more recently, Mount Merapi in Indonessia from 2010. Each photograph is accompanied by a description alongside its name and location.

A definite coffee table book for any house.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
174 reviews3 followers
June 17, 2021
Volcanos are simply amazing. If you have ever wondered what is so fascinating about them, pick up this book. It’s full of stunning photographs of volcanos and their effects.

This is a great book for you to place out on a coffee table for guests to look at. It’s got short snippets of information about volcanos that goes along with the photos that are shown. I learned a whole lot of new information about volcanos by reading this book. It is a quick read if that is all you want to do with it. But I recommend taking your time and looking over the amazing photos.

The collection of photos spans volcanos from around the globe. Volcanos do not all erupt the same way! So, be prepared for some images of rather explosive eruptions, as well as gentle, slow lava flows. The images are not all red and glowing. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Some images are historical, from recent decades, but many are from modern eruptions. You may recognize some of the volcano names.

This is a really interesting book and a beautiful addition to anyone’s library of photography books!
Profile Image for Kaye.
4,368 reviews73 followers
March 29, 2021
After the amazing recent images in the news of an active volcano in Iceland I was happy to read this beautiful photo book. When I think about volcanos I've seen I remember biking down Haleakala in Hawaii or visiting the ruins of Pompeii with views of Mount Vesuvius. This coffee table book covers some of worlds most impressive, famous or active volcanos from around the world. It has over 200 photos and is organized by geographical areas. Captions identify the volcanos, giving some information about each. My daughter climbed Mt. Kilimanjaros two years ago and until I read this book I didn't realize is a volcano. This can be a display book for your library or if you're like me you can identify volcanos you've seen and make that bucket list for ones you hope to visit. Thank you NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd. for a temporary ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Brandi.
1,412 reviews35 followers
March 27, 2021
Majestic and powerful, volcanoes instill awe and fear worldwide. This beautiful, photographical tour of global volcanoes is insightful as well as educational. I loved that it is broken into regions, making it easier to find and study different areas. The breathtaking pictures don’t even begin to do justice to an in-person experience, but they come really close. They are clear, crisp and vivid with colors exploding off the pages. The descriptions are helpful and provide in the moment information about the volcano you are currently seeing. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
Profile Image for Tawney.
326 reviews9 followers
March 18, 2021
Stunning photos showing the great diversity of volcanoes spread over the earth. The inclusion of lesser known mountains is most welcome. The captions are brief but informative, especially the histories of some and the geology of others. The chapter introductions give quick overviews of the tectonics involved. Having read and watched quite a bit about volcanoes it was nice to learn even more, but it's the pictures that are the stars here and they are worth much more than a glance.

I received this book compliments of Amber Books and NetGalley for an honest review.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,211 reviews53 followers
March 27, 2021
Volcanoes really scared me as a kid (screaming nightmares, etc.) so I set about learning as much as I could about them (no, one won't suddenly appear in my back garden!!). I truly wish this book had been around then. It has all the information I wanted, plus some absolutely stunning photos showing the raw power and astonishing beauty of volcanoes. A big "Thank you" to the author from the 5-year-old me - and one almost as big from the adult me!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
Profile Image for Johnnysbookreviews .
604 reviews11 followers
December 16, 2021
The book is separated in sections where it discusses about volcanoes (active or non-active) in Africa, North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. It contained a lot of pictures, so I read the introduction and the couple pages about each section. If I was interested in abiut more information on a picture, I would read the insert about the picture. 

One of the cool facts is about the Crater Lake in Oregon. For this lake to fill up, it had to get water from rain or melted snow. It took 720 years to fill this 1,949 ft lake. Holy shit. That's insane. 
Profile Image for Shyue Chou Chuang.
274 reviews17 followers
October 17, 2023
This is a 224 page tome filled with photos of volcanoes from throughout the world. The photos are stock photography from Alamy, Dreamstime, Getty Images, iStock, NASA and Shutterstock. The captions in the volume are well-written, often explaining the volcanoes besides the location, the age, the type, whether they were dormant or active and more. The volume is separated into five sections, namely Europe, Africa & the Middle East, Asia, Pacific &Antarctica, North America & Caribbean and lastly Central & South America.
Profile Image for Papergirl.
307 reviews8 followers
March 5, 2021
I received an ARC of Volcanoes courtesy of #netgalley, Robert J. Ford and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed flicking through the pictures and accompanying text of Volcanoes. Admittedly the most interesting ones were those that were in an active state but equally, as were the ones that had grassed over and were no longer active at all.

I could have done with the book being a bit shorter as I began to tire of similar landscapes although there are some great aerial views and I particularly love the scenes in Ethiopia.

A book for nature enthusiasts for sure.
Profile Image for Witch-at-Heart .
1,577 reviews21 followers
March 8, 2021
Both fascinating and beautiful! The pictures in this book are amazing. i loved seeing the pictures of these amazing wild forces of nature. Volcano activity fascinated me as the local terrain can literally be rewritten during the eruptions. I love all forces of nature and the forces that mold the those of those impacted. definitely worth a look if volcanos interest you,

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Profile Image for bohemianrhapsodyreads.
217 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2021
This book is a stunning photographic Journey of the amazing power and beauty of volcanoes. If you like looking at volcanoes and learning about volcanoes then you will definitely like this book. This book would be great for gifting as well! I also think this book would be great to take into a classroom to share with students. Also if you like photography then you’ll definitely like this book, too!

I just reviewed Volcano by Robert J. Ford. #Volcano #NetGalley
Profile Image for Heather.
195 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2021
Amazing little book of volcano photography from around the world, some dormant and some very active. If you want some inspiration and basic information then you will find here. Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of the book.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
April 5, 2021
Volcanos fascinates me and I loved the photos in this book as they are gorgeous.
I would like to see them in paper.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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