When Forests Burn: The Story of Wildlife in America by Albert Marrin. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 9780593121733
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4.5
Format : Hardcover
What did you like about the book: When Forests Burn is an incredible nonfiction book that explores the history of wildfire in America. Wildfire is presented as inextricably linked to climate history, the history of plant, animal, and human life in America, and ecosystem health. Fire has important purposes in the natural world including warding off infection, removing aged/unhealthy trees, enriching the soil, and allowing sunlight to hit the forest floor. Native Americans understood this and used fire to fertilize plants, to surround and hunt animals, and for insect management. Unfortunately, White settlers and their belief in domination decided all forest fires were bad and ignored native wisdom. What followed was horrific fires such as the Peshtigo, Wisconsin fire (even more deadly than Chicago), which is presented in horrifying, gruesome first person testimony. Marrin goes on to herald modern wildland firefighters, but also shares the mistakes and lessons not learned by modern conservationists. The final chapter, “Bigger, Hotter, Faster” presents the ways that climate change is amplifying forest fires along with suggestions for what to do if you live in a fire zone.
Comprehensive and compelling, When Forests Burn is a well-researched nonfiction book that deserves a place in every middle and high school library. Includes extensive notes, a source list, and a large index. Occasional black and white photographs provide context.
Anything you didn’t like about it? I wanted a little more about the modern threat of forest fires and the impact of climate change, but overall this is an amazing resource.
To whom would you recommend this book? Recommended for research projects and for history buffs who like comprehensive reads.
Who should buy this book? Most middle, high, and public libraries
Where would you shelve it? Nonfiction
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Laura Gardner, Dartmouth Middle School, Dartmouth, MA
Date of review: May 8, 2024
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