I really enjoyed reading this book. The author takes us with her journeys around the world as she explores volcanoes. The book combines science, memoir and travel adventure. I really enjoyed the armchair travels and parts of the book made me laugh out loud. The book is easy to read and fun and I found the science interesting. Enjoy

Jess Phoenix was collecting rock samples in Sinaloa, Mexico when a passing local surreptitiously slipped her rock hammer out from under her nose and took off in a Dodge Durango. The hammer was critical for Phoenix’s work, and she was not easily dissuaded from her mission. Jumping into her Jeep, she careened through the lush, mountainous region, pursuing the thief. “For my first car chase, it was a beautiful one,” she writes.

Although this is the only car chase described in Phoenix’s recent memoire, Ms. Adventure, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn she’s had more. Extreme escapades — and a streak of hot-headedness — have run throughout her career as a volcanologist. She’s camped in Death Valley, explored Hawaii’s offshore geology with submersible robots, and hiked amid erupting volcanos in Ecuador. Exciting anecdotes and Phoenix’s bold personality give her memoire buoyancy, but it’s not enough to keep the book afloat on an ocean of simplistic, cliché language without a clear theme to use as a lifeboat.

As the daughter of FBI agents who didn’t believe in failure, Phoenix entered Smith College as an overachieving teenager intent on becoming an English professor. But after a bought of depression, a nearly-flunked semester, and a detour to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Phoenix found herself in an introductory geology class. She characterized it as “revelatory.”

Phoenix went on to complete a master’s degree in geology, travelling extensively to conduct field work throughout. In 2015, three years after graduating, she co-founded a non-profit organization called Blueprint Earth with her husband, Carlos Phoenix. Together with an army of interns, the Phoenixes are recording all biological, geological, and chemical material in a square kilometer of California’s Mojave Desert. “Changing climate and human encroachment will alter this ecosystem forever. We can protect it, but first we must understand it,” Blueprint Earth’s website reads.

Ms. Adventure makes one point clear: Phoenix has seen an impressive amount of the world, including many off-the-grid corners that most of us will never reach. Her descriptions of the mountains of Hawaii and the ancient Incan sites of Peru show that she earned her place in The Explorers Club — a professional society made up of scientists who have travelled extensively to conduct field research. Sometimes, however, Phoenix’s focus on dangerous situations overshadows her explanations of the science that motivates her travels. A description of how cosmic rays create isotopes that can help researchers identify ancient lakebeds, for example, morphs into a scene describing the misery of digging for rock samples in Death Valley. The lakebeds, and their significance, never come up again.

Several anecdotes in Ms. Adventure made me wonder if it’s as much the danger as the science that motivates Phoenix to keep exploring. A mission to study underwater volcanos, for example, ends when Phoenix’s colleague dies from a heart attack while at sea. With no way to evacuate their colleague back to land, the crew fails to save him using CPR. Phoenix writes, “working on active volcanoes took the difficulty level of regular life and turned it up to eleven, and I knew, viscerally, that I belonged.” I closed the book, feeling a bit queasy about this scientist who seems to relish death.

Although Phoenix captures the excitement of her work, her clunky writing leads some sections to evolve jarringly quickly. Describing an interaction with two other Explorers Club members, for example, Phoenix writes, “Listening to Bill and Jim talk about expeditions past and future, I noted how stereotypical their names were for explorers: Bill Steele and Jim Smith.” A short paragraph later, she applauds Bill and Jim for encouraging her Latino husband to apply for membership. “This affirmed my impression that the club was actively moving past its troubling colonial roots, and that Bill and Jim were good guys,” she writes. And thus a complex, centuries-long problem is put to rest in the span of just a few paragraphs.

Phoenix’s character evolution, on the other hand, is somewhere between slow and nonexistent. She describes research as being one part scientific discovery and one part self-discovery, but her book doesn’t leave me with much sense of what she’s discovered about herself, other than that she prefers working as a scientist over working in humanities.

Whatever secrets Phoenix dug up from her soul, they led her to run for United States Congress in the 2018 mid-term election. Her bid for U.S. Representative in California’s 25th district garnered only 6% of the vote in the Democratic primary — a defeat Phoenix blamed on an ineffective campaign manager and fundraising strategy. The Republican she was trying to oust, Steve Knight, lost to Democrat Katie Hill. Hill was subsequently forced to resign after admitting she was involved in a romantic relationship that violated congressional ethics rules. Her seat went to Republican Mike Garcia in a special election.

Soon after her defeat, Phoenix said in an interview with Science, “To run again, after the voters had said, ‘No, that’s not what we want,’ that doesn’t appeal to me.” Ms. Adventure makes me wonder if Garcia’s win made her reconsider. Reading the book, I was reminded of The Truths We Hold, by Kamala Harris. Is Phoenix also trying to introduce herself and appeal to voters’ personal sides?

I have to wonder if Phoenix would govern as she writes — with the subtlety of a pickaxe against a rock face.

I loved this book and really enjoyed Jess Phoenix's story of immersion into science, from her earliest days at school to her acceptance into the famed Explorers Club. I thought it was incredibly well-written, entertaining, and had a refreshing down-to-earth perspective. Not to mention the perfect blend of personal memoir, daring adventure, and scientific exploration.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a perfectly fine book. The events were all over the place giving it a strange tone (and to be honest I'm not really sure what the Cartel, reality TV, and politics sections added to the book), but I really enjoyed the story of her discovery of a love for science, a love for geology and volcanos, and the insight into what fieldwork is actually like. And the overarching theme of "science is really interesting and you should be excited about it and excited to do it right" was great.

Science nerds unite! This book is perfect for the science lover in your life. The memoir part will inspire you to create an adventure of your own, while the science part will teach you something new.

I picked this book up because volcanoes have fascinated me for years. I wanted to learn more about them, and while this book didn't go into as much detail as I'd hoped, I still enjoyed it. I loved reading about the different trips the author took to volcanoes around the world, and all the scientific parts about it. There were a couple times I felt the author was bragging a bit, as in "look at me and how special I am", but it wasn't enough to sour the book. My only wish is that there had been more science and more information on volcanoes themselves. I know this was more a memoir of the author's time working around volcanoes than an actual book on the science of them, but I would have loved to have more information. It's a good read for anyone with a passing interest, but for anyone looking for science, they may find it a bit lacking.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. I felt like I was right there in on all the adventure!

DNF

It’s my own fault. I hated geology in college and I hated it here. I found it incredibly scholarly and boring.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

From the book's description, I was expecting a science memoir -- the author writing about her life mixed with a lot of fun geology history and facts. In that case, I was expecting a little more outside of field journal stuff which is how it ultimately read.

The personal moments about her education and marriage feel brought up only in convenience of the narrative. She becomes seriously ill on a volcano but we know nothing of it after the fact. She hurts her leg in Peru, goes on an expedition, but nothing about the outcome. Did she need surgery? Did she come back to town just in time where it wasn't damaged?

The last half of the book was more entertaining than the first half. I was more engaged while reading about the Peruvian expedition. The TV shoot in Ecuador was the type of information I was expecting as a behind the scenes in geology. But I agree that I would watch a whole show about the behind the scenes with the cast and crew. The Mexico chapter was just... I don't even know what.

The congressional race is mentioned on the jacket like it's a prominent part of the book. However, the last chapter in which it's mentioned feels more like a throwaway. I understand she was trying to make a connection between the congressional race and the urge for exploration, but it would have been better as two different chapters.

I REALLY wanted to like this book. I love reading about the paths that lead scientists to their field of study. Ultimately, I think I was expecting something else from the way the description reads. But putting that aside, the book is disjointed and is unsure of what it wants to be.

The story of her life in geology and vulcanology, honest, vulnerable and tough. An uncompromising woman in a pretty male world who is also trying to make that world more inclusive in several different ways: great reading.

My full review on my blog here https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2021/05/06/book-review-jess-phoenix-ms-adventure/

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Content Warnings: Mentions of drug cartels and a previous assault, not detailed.

My Rating: 4 volcanoes out of 5

Highlights:
Well now I just want to be a Volcanologist
This is the sort of book that makes you go ‘damn I wish I was a scientist!’
Phoenix’s sheer enthusiasm for the universe is just amazing
Anyone willing to face down a car full of potentially armed Narcos for a hammer immediately becomes my hero for life. I don’t make the rules.

Curiosity is our birthright, our shared human heritage that connects us to every being on Earth, and to the stars beyond.

Jess Phoenix is a geologist, volcanologist and all-round badass and after listening to her talk about her career in an episode of Ologies I leapt at the chance to request this book on netgalley! A memoir at heart, this book is also a love letter to geology, to the wonders that make up the natural world and to our ability as human beings to explore and discover more about those wonders.

An English Literature graduate myself, I suppose I always (evidently wrongly) assumed that scientists have always been aware that they are scientifically minded, but Phoenix began as a humanities student, finding her love of Geology through a college course (and it has always confused me how you can study so many things at once at American universities, but evidently it has its uses!). From that first geology class to standing atop active volcanoes in Hawaii, in need of medical attention but out of range of the helicopter, on to chasing down cartel members for a hammer, Phoenix’s career has taken her all over the world in pursuit of scientific knowledge.

Then of course there’s the additional bonus challenge of being a woman in a scientific field which leads to such wonderful scenarios as being asked to wear sexy leggings while filming a tv show on an active volcano site.

You know, leggings, made of synthetic fibres that melt when exposed to heat.

On a volcano.

Pure logic right there from the production team. Gold star.

But from battling imposter syndrome at her first Explorers Club dinner to facing down Wall Street’s charging bull and deciding to run for office, Jess Phoenix is unapologetically a total badass and one of my icons for life. Her sheer enthusiasm for the world around us is infectious even through text, and the way she champions scientific knowledge for all, especially in positions of power where decisions are being made, is immensely admirable.

I think what was missing for me was, honestly, photographs. All through the book, Phoenix details the pictures she has taken at each location discussed, and there’s a gorgeous image at the beginning of the book of solidified waves of lava - but the photographs mentioned are not included in the actual text. I found myself frequently pausing in my reading to look up a volcano crater, or a lake, to properly visualise what was being described to me. I felt that some images, even just of the mountains and volcanoes if not Phoenix herself at these locations, would really have brought that one last thing to this book for me. The things being described were incredible, from eruptions lasting decades to camping out atop precarious mountains, travelling around glacial lakes and out to underwater volcanoes for important research. I wanted to see them.

I loved this book overall. Phoenix has such a great way of writing, of putting across just how much she adores what she does. I challenge anyone to read this book and now come away even slightly passionate about the study of the world we live in. Below our feet, sometimes bubbling up to the surface, is a completely alien world that we are only just beginning to understand and this book made me want to learn all I can about it!

Jess Phoenix takes readers along with her on her adventures from Death Valley to Hawaii. It was a pleasure to read this book just for the memoir narrative alone, In addition, Phoenix's insights on the role of diversity in field work and how scientists are the new adventure explorers fascinated me and provided lots of food for thought. Anyone interested in science or exploration will find much to love about this book.

Thanks to Timber Press for sharing an electronic copy of this new book, via #netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Ok, I liked the title and the cover and I liked the idea of reading about an adventurous woman in STEM. I got that she was SUPER enthusiastic about what she did, but none of that enthusiasm seemed to reach me on the level she was feeling it. Honestly, of the 122 pages of this book that I read, there were only two parts that got my attention. The first was when she explained the dating of the rocks that she was working on and how that testing worked (cosmic radiation bombardment, along those lines.) and when she had a medical emergency in the literal back of beyond in the middle of an active volcano flow area.

However, despite the interest, the explanation of the dating didn't stick and there was no conclusive diagnosis or reason for her medical issue, so no resolution, it just kind of was like, extreme pain, peed blood, doctors at the hospital didn't seem to care enough to find a reason for it. Which makes me not want to go to that area and need that hospital any-time soon.

I appreciate that she is trying to raise awareness of the sciences for the next generation and to enable those who are less well-to-do the ability to access the sciences, but the book just fell flat for me. It committed one of the worst sins during the Pandemic that anything can be. It was boring.

To me. I see from many positive reviews that I am in the minority here and that is ok. I want (mostly) every book to be read and loved by many people. I don't have to love all the books and neither does anyone else. The great beauty, and difficulty, of this wonderful world of ours is that we are all different with different tastes, likes and dislikes. I didn't hate the book and I know others will enjoy reading of her adventures. I will not hesitate to recommend this book to customers who will enjoy it.

2, it wasn't for me but I'm not that adventurous, stars.

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.

I would have liked to read this but it isn't available for Kindle. That should be apparent when one looks at the book- before requesting it. I suspect I would have enjoyed this very much.

Part adventure story and part memoir, Phoenix's book provides readers with vignettes of exploration and volcano studies. Phoenix's story telling is vivid and interesting, and it makes for a quick read. Seems to end abruptly, but that doesn't take away from the rest. The book takes readers briefly along on seven or eight adventures and provides some scientific information without getting too bogged down in details that may lose the casual reader.

Overall, I enjoyed the work, but I wanted more science and less "look, I was able to get my hammer back from the drug cartel or Discovery made me do stupid stunts for television." I think this book will appeal to those that she interested with her run for congress and less those looking for a deeper understanding of volcanology. I would recommend for casual readers interested in the adventure part of scientific study.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the digital ARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up.

This is an engaging read about Jess Phoenix, a volcanologist. Jess walks us through some history on the Explorers Club, the unusual path she took into being interested in geology, and the different locations she has worked. As you might expect, she faced gender issues and dangerous situations.

I thought it was a solid 5 star book until the last parts. I think it was important for her to include the section on her TV stint, but the tone was weird. The political bit at the end was kind of the same weird tone that I didn't know how to react to. (I'm still ambivalent about it!)

I'm really glad I was able to read a digital advance review copy, thanks to netgalley and the publisher.

Jess Phoenix is a scientist and the founder of Blueprint Earth, an organization focused on documenting the ecosystem of the Mojave Desert in California, USA as well as offering field work experience to students who licit otherwise not have access to such opportunities.

The way Phoenix writes with such passion and joy about her discovery of geology almost makes me want to go back to school myself. She is so excited about this branch of science, and her writings make it so easy to understand her interest. I almost imagine that this is the kind of memoir Ms. Frizzle might write. 😁

This is a memoir and travelogue and scientific exploration all rolled into one exciting adventure. Her experiences while studying our planet have been thrilling and varied, and the book jumps in time.

She talks so much about the photographs she took that I wish some more of them were included.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. The intro to this book was not super engrossing, but I am glad I stuck with it. I thoroughly enjoyed this scientific memoir. It was a wonderful blend of real science and travel memoir for the various expeditions the author has been on in her career. I wished it was even a bit longer!

This book would have been ok without the implausible stories about the cartel and then the complaints about the Discovery channel only to top it off with the political nonsense. 3/4 of the book was interesting and what I expected to read about but the other quarter I could have done without because it left a bad taste in my mouth.