Ms. Adventure: My Wild Explorations in Science, Lava, and Life

by Jess Phoenix

Hardcover, 2021

Status

Available

Call number

QE22.P478 A3

Genres

Publication

Timber Press (2021), 272 pages

Description

Biography & Autobiography. Nature. Science. Nonfiction. HTML:"Jess Phoenix's work encompasses science and representation in such a delightful melding that it could only come from as spry and playful a soul as hers! Open this book and jump into the volcano!" �??Patton Oswalt As a volcanologist, natural hazards expert, and founder of Blueprint Earth, Jess Phoenix has dedicated her life to scientific exploration. Her career path�??hard earned in the male-dominated world of science�??has led her into still-flowing Hawaiian lava fields, congressional races, glittering cocktail parties at Manhattan�??s elite Explorers Club, and numerous pairs of Caterpillar work boots. It has also inspired her to devote her life to making science more inclusive and accessible. Ms. Adventure skillfully blends personal memoir, daring adventure, and scientific exploration, following Phoenix�??s journey from reality television sites deep in Ecuadorian jungles to Andean glaciers, university classrooms to Death Valley in summer. She has even chased down members of a Mexican cartel to retrieve a stolen favorite rock hammer. Readers will delight in her unbelievable adventures, all embarked on for the love of science… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member lostinalibrary

In Ms Advent, geologist and volcanologist Jess Phoenix mixes her scientific work with stories of many of her mishaps as she does field work in some of world’s literal hot spots. She recounts being hit by an acute appendicitis attack while alone on a lava flow in Hawaii, falling into a sewer in

Peru, and encounters with a Sinaloa cartels in Mexico. She also talks about working on a reality show about volcanos for Discovery that was anything but reality. And throughout, her passion and love for her work shines through. This is no dry pedantic text book inaccessible to only scientists in her field but a rather a compelling, even dare I say entertaining & surprisingly unputdownable book that, despite my lack of knowledge of volcanos, kept my attention throughout. And, yes, while being entertained, I did learn some fascinating facts about the different types of volcanos and lava flows along the way.

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LibraryThing member 1Randal

An enjoyable look into the science of volcanoes and geology. The author had me in the beginning, with her description of her invitation to the Explorer's Club in New York City. What a dream that would be! Phoenix continues with her experiences in Hawaii, Mexico, and many other places. She

definitely seems to lead an exciting life. And I got the feeling that she is a very personable and interesting person to know. I wish her luck in the continuation of her career.

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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey

Interesting, well-written...And disappointing. It fails the Chekhov's Gun rule. The first chapter is about her joining the Explorers Club, on the basis of her volcano work and Blueprint Earth, which she co-founded. She mentions unequal access to science, for women and POC; Blueprint Earth was

supposed to be a step in improving that. Sounded interesting. And then...nothing. The rest of the book, while interesting and enjoyable, never talks about Blueprint Earth at all. Hmph! Her expeditions are fascinating, and I learned some new things - but did she ever go on an expedition without a disaster? She seems to severely injure herself on or just prior to most of her expeditions. In fact, I felt like the book had the same problem as the Discovery Channel expedition - just doing her work, discovering amazing things about volcanos, wasn't interesting enough; she had to write about disasters and difficulties. I'd rather have read more about the expeditions that didn't go wrong. And the book ends with her being triggered to run for Congress...without mentioning the result (she lost, badly - I Googled it). Which makes it a very limp and pointless ending. That's where the Blueprint Earth details should have gone. So - interesting, very well-written, disappointing. I hope she writes more, and stops trying to make it "exciting" - her everyday work is plenty exciting!

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LibraryThing member Spencer28

I enjoyed this. It was extremely readable and a good mix of personal and scientific. I would recommend this to students looking for inspiration about science careers. Thanks to Timber Press for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

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