Jumping Fire: A Smokejumper's Memoir of Fighting Wildfire

Anyone who may feel that way has not read about these men and women who day in and day out perform a job that otherwise would be considered a daredevil act.Jumping out of planes is too much for most of us; it's one of the safer parts of their job. They never make the same jump twice, they often land in a target area that is basically a vertical shaft between 150 foot trees, in an area some sports utility vehicles could not turn around in, and that's just the start.The fire can suck them in; they can get hung up in a tree 50, 100, 150 feet in the air and then have to climb down. Or worse many of the tops of these trees are like spikes. Imagine being impaled through the thigh 150 feet in the air, like an olive in a Martini. You need not imagine this or dozens of other terrifying scenarios as the book shares them all with you.The Author Mr. Taylor is the oldest man to jump fires, a job he has been doing for 26 years. And if you happen to be over 50 years of age, this man is definitely a special role model.Former Marines who become Jumpers say it is tougher than the boot camp they had as Marines. One of 25 who make the attempt to become a Jumper make the program, and of those not a few decide a year or two is more than enough.The stamina of these men and women is beyond belief, I would imagine a qualified individual could compare what they do to any professional athlete and my guess is they would be at or near the top. These people are often at brutal back breaking lethal work for days on end.Mr. Taylor shares amazing stories about amazing people; he is very candid about his personal life and all that his profession precludes. He also shares the banter amongst the crews when they have time to share stories the subjects rather forget. There are dozens and they are laughing out loud hilarious. Imagine jumping crashing through trees and landing on a Moose?These people take everything very seriously. When one jumper was reminded of the time he crashed right through the roof of an outhouse, he was unbowed. "It was a $20 bet, who could come closest, I won!"One heck of a book!

Got this book a few days ago and literally read most of it in one sitting. Thorough and well written. I didn't really know much about smokejumping and wild firefighting before this other than the news blurbs about the fire season in the West and some TV shows about wild fires. Bought the book because it looked interesting, and it definitely exceeded expectations.

I've always been fascinated by smokejumpers...who they are, what compels them, and whether they are all as crazy as I have thought they must be. It's an incredible true story. It brings to life the adreline rush of jumping and fighting fires, the boredom of the down time, the love of freedom and the trade-offs they make in their lives to follow this passion. It communicates the strong ties to fellow jumpers and the personal loneliness of a chosen lifestyle. Most beautiful of all are the descriptions of the pristine country they protect which most of us will never see. A truly wonderful book.

Taylor writes in a gripping manner that will keep you wanting more. His method of depicting life over a year, detailing the accounts of fallen comrades, the joys of a job well done, and the lost loves all are intwined in fast moving detail. A REAL KEEPER!

When I heard Murry Taylor's NPR interview, I fell in love with his voice and the idea of smokejumping. Mr. Taylor allows us to live vicarioussly through his writing; to see the country side, to feel the excitement, and to share his losses ... as bittersweet as a summer romance.