As mentioned in previous reviews, I have been revisiting my roots in geology this year and hope to further my continuing education in the near future. This nonfiction science-heavy memoir follows a female vulcanologist through her studies and subsequent career in academia and exploits with volcanoes all while juggling marriage and raising a family. I really enjoyed the ride.

Mather provides a personal background to most of the chapters in this book while detailing various excursions to volcanoes such as Masaya in Nicaragua, Santa Maria in Guatemala, and Santorini in Greece as well as many others, while studying various aspects of the referenced volcanoes. In addition, she relates it back to basic earth science classes including the layers of the earth, plate tectonics and the volcanic processes that make a variety of igneous rocks. The author explores the history and early theories and concepts that came before our present understanding of how volcanoes work and how it changes with new data every day.

Keep in mind that the author also has a background in chemistry as well as geology, so I would say this book is more for science nerds than someone with a passing interest in volcanoes but not in the science behind them. This went far beyond the basic “shake and bake” labs that I taught freshman students while in grad school. There are several sections that talk in depth about the chemical makeup of the magma and gases in the various volcanoes and what that might mean for further study and predictions.

I admit to losing interest a bit in the last few chapters. They read like justification for future study of volcanoes and their applications in other fields. I was mainly here for the volcanoes and the science encompassing them. The first two parts of the book were fascinating to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hanover Square Press for a copy provided for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Adventures in Volcanoeland by Tamsin Mather!

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**TL;DR**: While this one wasn’t entirely for me, I do think there is a lot to be gained for people who are interested.
**Source**: NetGalley via the publisher, thank you!

**Structure**: This one is billed as part memoir, which I don’t think is accurate. It’s more a study of the different volcanic events. It does flow well though.
**Science**: She made this fairly easy to read and visualize so it’s not too off-putting or challenging
**Locations:** For me this was the best part. She visits and talks about a lot of different volcanos and even looks at what we know of volcanos on other planets!

**Thoughts**:

This is one I struggled with and it had absolutely nothing to do with the book itself. I have some very specific phobias, and I didn’t know until now that volcanos are in that list. Now, as I’m someone who forces myself to face my fears when possible I did finish this one, but I did need to skim on some sections. A good chunk of the beginning really did cause me to put the book down. What I read I found interesting, from the way the plume forms to how high rocks and debris can fall from the top of the plume - terrifying. The middle to half I was able to dial in more and enjoyed a great deal of it.

The author uses her travels as a way to explain and look at different aspects of volcanos. She does this very well and the places she goes to are varied and diverse. My favorite was probably Atacama. The way she described it and referenced other literature about the place to enforce it’s beauty was lovely. My favorite portions by far were her looks at what volcanos might be like on other planets. That was absolutely fascinating and something I’d not given any thought to previously.

If you love volcanos and geology I’d really recommend this one. Even though I’m not putting a rating on it and I found the first part hard (again, all on me) I found so much to learn in the book that I’ll likely revisit it in the future as I work on this particular fear. Pick it up if you’re interested.

A good introduction to the world of volcanology. You will find a lot of science here, but it is mixed with personal recollections of the author and her work in different parts of the world. Worth reading, although I personally liked "Mountains of Fire" by Clive Oppenheimer a bit more. But I always appreciate when female scientists share their experiences.

Thanks to the publisher, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

For me, Adventures in Volcanoland is to volcanoes, what The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World was for dinosaurs, and as a lover of both volcanoes and dinosaurs, I am so happy that there are experts willing to write about the topics they love in layman's terms.

I love that Tamsin Mather starts this book out with a childhood trip to Pompeii because I think for many, myself included, Pompeii and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius is the first example learned about when talking about volcanoes and volcanic eruptions. This is science heavy but well explained and I love that she drops bits about her own travels and experiences throughout the story, and that she includes how volcanoes shaped or were incorporated into local communities and cultures.

The last section of the book is also deals with space volcanoes (which is not something I knew existed but now need to learn more about) and with how what we know about volcanoes can help us navigate the current climate crisis.

Overall, I thought this was a really great example of good science communication and highly recommend for anyone looking for a new science book or who also never grew out of their childhood volcano phase.

This gets a 5 star review from me, not because I loved it and thought it was amazing, if we are honest I struggled to get through the novel but it was my own fault. I overestimated how much I would be able to focus on all the science talk and the answer was not much so I had to reread a ton. That being said, it is a well researched and very well written novel, the writing was engaging and personable. I don't think the science talk was expecially complicated or hard to follow, I just have no head for it all, as much as I sometimes like to pretend otherwise. I think if you have any interest in earth science or volcanoes, then you will enjoy this one!

Thanks to Tamsin Mather, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting read about intriguing questions about volcanos written by a world expert on the topic. Rather than do a survey of the volcanoes across the world (and solar system), the author posts an interesting question on a relevant topic, then answers the question using data from a volcano she has visited to enhance the answer. The science is understandable, the topic is fascinating, and the examples are interesting. Recommended for those of us interested in the earth, geology, volcanoes, and science.

historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, volcano, vulcanology, geology, nonfiction*****

History of vulcanology and geoscience made personal and understandable. Included in the science are the investigations at Santorini, Hawaii, Italy, and lots more which gives the reader context in which to assimilate the science stuff (geosciences, geochemistry, geophysics, plate tectonics) and the immediate as well as long range effects of a volcanic eruption whether in human history or relatively recently. Fascinating stuff for this science nerd.
I requested and received a free (Not TTS enabled) temporary EARC from HarperCollins | Hanover Square Press via NetGalley. I was frustrated with my vision issues preventing me from enjoying it, so I promptly purchased an audio as soon as it was available. Voice actor Emma Spurgin Hussey has the perfect voice and delivery for this nonfiction yet not extremely technical exploration to the center of our planet.

This book takes the reader on an expedition across the globe, exploring the awe-inspiring world of volcanoes. Beautifully written, informative, and easy to read, this blend of memoir, travel, and science reveals the cultural significance and natural wonders of these fiery giants. From Nicaragua to Hawaii, Santorini to Ethiopia, the book uncovers the mysteries that shape our world.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review

It is important to be honest with yourself as a reviewer. When you don't connect with a book, you need to be able to answer the question, "Why?" I ran into this with Tamsin Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland. Why didn't I connect with it? Well, simply, it's all my fault.

I want to be clear that this is a well-written book with impeccable science and an author passionate about her subject. Mather travels to various places of volcanic activity and discusses what the places look like, the history of the volcano, and the science behind it. This is categorized as a science/travel/nature book and this is exactly how it should be marketed.

All that being said, what's my damn problem? I wasn't honest with myself about my relationship with science which can be charitably described as "frenemies." If a book is about 30-40% science, then I'll have a good time. Once you cross that 60% threshold though, you lose me. This book is heavy on the science and does not disguise that fact.

Quick rant, I hate it when people leave a bad one sentence review to the effect of, "I wish this book was more like this." The author gets to choose the subject and how to tell it. I think reviews should tell a reader if the book is well-written and effectively accomplishes the mission the AUTHOR sets. For Adventures in Volcanoland, Mather nails it. I am just not the target audience for this particular book.

Ok, enough rambling. If you are a science nerd and have even a passing interest in volcanoes then you will love this book. Mather does a fantastic job and that is why I am rating this book highly. If you are like me and can get overwhelmed by the science, then choose this one with care. I still wouldn't tell you NOT to read it. I would just caution you to know what you are getting into.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and HarperCollins.)

Tamsin Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland (Hanover Square Press 2024) is a thorough discussion of this authors experience studying and exploring volcanoes. It's not a memoir though she shares a few personal experiences. Mainly, she explores a lot of detail on the process as well as the what and why of volcanoes from the famous Pompeii to those less well known but more significant on a planetary level like Tambora and Toba.

"...thicker crust of the Central American isthmus. When a liquid basalt cools rapidly it tends to freeze into a dark and fine-grained rock, sometimes f lecked with green olivine crystals stark against."

I read this to bolster my knowledge of volcanoes for my upcoming trilogy. For those intrigued by volcanoes, this is a must read.

Adventure in Volcanoland is a fantastic look at the history, ecology, and majesty of volcanoes. Tamsin Mather does a is a wonderful storyteller, blending her own history with volcanoes with the history of a still emerging science. Volcanoland is a great addition to the science genre.

Very cool trip around some of the world's most notable volcanoes. I very much enjoyed learning about the history of how volcanoes are formed and also the famous eruptions. Reads like an exciting thriller novel rather than a dry textbook.