Fire Weather

by John Vaillant
Fire Weather cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Investigative Journalism
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Paperback • £12.99 Hardback • £25.00
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 2970
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781399720212
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2023-05-23
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

In May 2016, a devastating wildfire swept through a Canadian oil town, forcing 90,000 people to evacuate and reducing neighborhoods to ashes. This disaster serves as the backdrop for John Vaillant's exploration of fire's role in human evolution and civilization. Fire has long been a partner in human progress, but climate change has unleashed its destructive power on an unprecedented scale. Fire Weather delves into the science and history of fire, examining how it has shaped human culture and the environment. Vaillant's narrative weaves together the story of the 2016 wildfire with broader themes of climate change, offering a compelling and urgent examination of humanity's future in a world increasingly prone to devastating fires.

Reviews
Seniors for Climate Action Now · Patricia G. Erickson · 2025-10-16
powerful 4.50

The reviewer finds the book both brilliant and terrifying, highlighting its detailed investigation of the Fort McMurray fire and its broader implications for climate change.

Patricia G. Erickson describes 'Fire Weather' as a brilliant and terrifying book that serves as a detailed investigation of the Fort McMurray fire and its context within the larger climate crisis. She emphasizes how the book serves as a parable for our loss of control over the climate, making it a must-read for anyone concerned about the environment.

Quick quotes

    This is a brilliant and terrifying book.

    Vaillant introduces his detailed investigation of the city's near total destruction.

    The book serves as a parable for our loss of control over the climate.

The New York Times · 2023-11-28
thought-provoking 4.20

The reviewer highlights the book as a timely and well-written work of climate change reportage, emphasizing its relevance to current environmental issues.

This review praises 'Fire Weather' as a timely and well-written work of climate change reportage. The book is seen as a significant contribution to the conversation about the role of fire in shaping our world and the challenges posed by climate change. The reviewer emphasizes Vaillant's ability to weave together personal stories with broader environmental themes.

Quick quotes

    A timely, well-written work of climate change reportage.

    The book is a significant contribution to the conversation about the role of fire in shaping our world.

    Vaillant's ability to weave together personal stories with broader environmental themes is commendable.

The Guardian · 2023-08-06
gripping 4.00

The reviewer praises the book's vivid storytelling and its ability to place readers in the midst of a catastrophic event. The book is seen as a powerful exploration of humanity's relationship with fire and the environment.

This book is a gripping account that combines detailed storytelling with a broader examination of climate change and its impact on communities. The reviewer highlights how Vaillant's prose immerses readers in the chaos of the Fort McMurray fire, while also exploring the deeper implications of such events in a rapidly changing world. It's a compelling read that blends personal stories with global environmental issues.

Quick quotes

    Vaillant's oxygen-less prose puts you in the path of that conflagration, and into the lives of the people who confronted it.

    The book is a powerful exploration of humanity's relationship with fire and the environment.

    A gripping account that combines detailed storytelling with a broader examination of climate change.

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