Smokejumper audiobook

I absolutely loved this book. Smokejumper by Jason A. Ramos and Julian Smith is a whip fast, fun, and fascinating read. It is also, at times, deeply sad. As a firefighter myself, I've always been intrigued by smokejumpers--the fittest and most elite of wildland firefighters. Not only do they parachute out of planes to get to fires that no one else can reach, they hike across unbelievably rough terrain, often where no trails exist, carrying over a hundred pounds of gear and equipment on their backs. Fewer than 500 of them are active at any time in the US, which means they don't have much backup and if they get in trouble, there is no quick or easy exit. In other words, they're the badasses of wildland firefighting. Highly independent. Tough. Individualistic. No matter how competent and conscientious you are on a fire, sometimes bad shit just happens, even to the best of us. There are three threads to Smokejumper: FF Ramos' own story (how a city boy from L.A. became a remote wilderness firefighter), a history of smokejumping (absolutely fascinating in and of itself) and a concise overview of three of our deadliest wildland fires including the Yarnell Hill Fire which killed 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots in 2013. Ramos assesses these fires and covers lessons learned while never blaming the victims and recognizing how it is in their very nature to push the limits and dive into the thick of things. No one wants to be benched. You want to be in the shit, to be able to say 'I was there.' That's human, the lure of action. It's like dreaming about making the winning touchdown or beating the buzzer with a fadeaway three-pointer. This game, though, can cost you your life, and that's the fine line: to dance, or to step back and take the next song. Each thread of Smokejumper could be it's own book and some of them are. Norman Maclean wrote about the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire in Young Men and Fire and his son John N. Maclean (who wrote the foreward to Smokejumper) recounts the Storm King Mountain tragedy that took the lives of fourteen smokejumpers and hot shots (including 4 women) in Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire. The history of smokejumping reads like it's own adventure novel depicting Japanese bombs, forgotten battalions, and covert military operations. Each story is unbelievable. Ramos tells us about the Japanese "balloon bombs" launched to cross the Pacific and deploy over the US during WWII; The Triple Nickles, an all-black Parachute Infantry Battalion retrained as smokejumpers because so many American smokejumpers were fighting the war; and the fifty or so smokejumpers performing secret paramilitary missions for the CIA in Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia during the Vietnam war. The only issue I had with this book was that I wanted more. More history. More training. More Ramos. More about the personalities of the jumpers themselves. (And the women? What the hell are they like?) Ramos shies away from describing any of his cohorts and yet I imagine there are some serious characters amongst this group. Also, like a typical firefighter, he remains resolutely silent on the emotional/personal toll of the job, such as witnessing the burned remains of fallen firefighters, losing people in a such a small community, and living away from family and friends for months at a time. It is a sad and painful reality than when wildland fires claim lives they often take entire crews. The strongest and the bravest. And yet these fires are getting larger and more deadly every year while the very people who fight them become ever more besieged by political obstacles. Fortunately, there will always be men and women willing to fight fires despite intense conditions, little pay, and overwhelming danger. No one is better at this than smokejumpers and I applaud Jason Ramos for finally telling their story and giving the rest of us a tantalizing glimpse into their world.

Ramos is a smokejumper. A firefighter who parachutes into the forest to fight fires. Yes, it as a dangerous as it sounds. This profession has started in 1939 and every year 500 men and women train and prepare to fight nature at her worst.Why I started this book: I'm fascinated by dangerous, yet essential professions and the people that choose to do them.Why I finished it: So I prejudged this book and profession. It turns out that there are more than two reasons that I'm not a smokejumper. First, skydiving. Second, firefighting. These two are obvious and are not in my skill base. But third, pack in and pack out. These brave men and women jump in, fight the fire for hours or days and then turn around and hike back out to civilization carrying all their firefighting gear, parachuting gear and garbage. And we're talking hikes over rough terrain of four to fourteen hours. And finally, procrastination. This I will admit is one of my strengths but it can be the difference between life and death for fighting fires. The sooner you start, arrive on scene, etc. the better. So basically its a great thing that there are people who are my complete opposite to fight these fires. And the fires are only getting bigger.

I have such deep respect for these brave men and women. There's lots of history in this book and some scientific/technical info - none of which interests me. I just like the stories. The pictures were very interesting too. I loved reading that they rarely find animal carcasses because I always worry about the animals when I see coverage about forest fires. Lots of really interesting tid bits in this book plus some of the author's opinions and perspective on how we need to change the education on this industry to keep these men and women "in business" and safe. I had never read about this topic before and I'm glad I did!

Heard of this book by a review in the Seattle Times, which I have found not always reliable... But in this case, with the local aspect -it was right on! Read it cover to cover in less than a day! Somewhat difficult to read after the Wenatchee fire, but incredible stories and brings to the forefront our firefighters and specifically the Smokejumpers - crazy fit men and women who help keep us safe! Highly recommend this book! Thanks to all who put their lives on the line to keep us safe! An excellent historical perspective on wild land fires as well!

This book is a fantastic read. It's fast-paced and full of adventure, but it also brings alive the history of smokejumping and tells of the pioneers who began the program in 1939. It weaves Jason's story together and current events together with the past, and gives you understanding and insight into wildland firefighting that you'll not find anywhere else. Plus, it's a darn good read for anyone who is interested in the West, climate change, wildfires and of course, smokejumping. Loved it!!!!

Great book, filled with exciting (and heartbreaking) stories, adventure, and information. I learned a lot about fires and firefighting, as well as this elite team of men and women who jump from planes to fight forest fires. I would have given 5-stars but the author went on a bit long about technical stuff that only firefighters would find interesting. But I highly recommend this book

Engrossing read about a select band of very brave people who parachute into forest fires and spend days trying to put out or contain each fire. Considering this past summer in southern Alberta where we had numerous fires and heavy thick smoke for days this is a very timely book. The Authors explain the early history and training required for Smokejumpers and the many "interesting" situations they find themselves in where a mistake in a judgement call may result in loss of life. This is a great read.

Such a riveting story! I couldn't put it down. My Rating: 5 starsReviewed by: MRS N

Jason Ramos is a man of character... His book takes readers on a facinating ride! A little bit history, a little bit legacy... a little bit personal experience but all relevant in understanding the job these risk-takers have and the incredible way they serve our nation. It would have been easier for Jason to give readers only sizzle and horn blowing accounts of his own heroics. In truth... he left many of his own stories out and focused on the heroics of others. Instead of making readers believe they walk on water and that the government always has its business squared away... he dared to reveal both the good and the bad that goes with this professional calling. Integrity is what you do when no one's watching.... and I am here to tell you that Jason is a man of his word, a man of upmost integrity, and the kind of servant that promotes others far more often than he promotes his own team or himself. Rick Stewart, Host Executive ProducerNRA Life of Duty Television

I have always had the fascination with smokejumpers. Some of it is due to the fact my grandfather was a long-time firefighter/fire chief and the other part is my mom's first cousin was a smokejumper and killed at Mann Gulch in 1949. Jason Ramos' memoir was very interesting to learn about the intensity of the training and the extreme dangers of wildfire fighting and smoke jumping. Ramos mixes wildfire fighting and history with his own experiences and the result is a lovely balanced story about what it's like now, and what happened to bring the fire service to what it is today.

From the very first time I read a pre-released review of this book, I have wanted to read it. The author took the time to construct a balanced story. The book was full of facts and showed the human side of Smoke-jumping. By reading this book I gained a stronger and truer respect for the men and women that choose to fight wild fires for a living. The book took this reader on an emotional roller coaster ride. This book is well worth the time it takes to read it.

I was at a rally with Jason and fortunate to speak with him and receive an advance copy of this book to read during the four days we were there. It is a page turner - a tale of overcoming physical odds, honor, determination and compassion. I loved reading it and intend to buy a copy when it is released. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a tale of courage, modesty and history of these brave men and women who seek no glory other than to serve.

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This book follows closely the latest technology and techniques used by today's firefighters on the ground and the smokejumpers from the air.Jason is a professional and operates out of Winthrop,WA. His true stories tell the story of just how dangerous our forests are in a increasing warm and dry climate.

Awesome, just awesome, and ordinaryIt's not just evil that can be ordinary. These people hear things that I don't. My blessings on them. Not all protectors are killers. Thanks be to God.