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Related Great Books

Books and videos beyond wildfire: aviation, special operations and adventure.

Helicopter rescues are something the National Park Service has long excelled at; some of their epic stories are highlighted in the highly recommended classic Death, Daring & Disaster.

Helicopter rescues are something the National Park Service has long excelled at; some of their epic stories are highlighted in the highly recommended classic Death, Daring & Disaster.

Smokejumpers have a long history of assisting US Federal agencies with their unique independence and aviation skills; during the wars in Southeast Asia they were involved with the CIA. Air America Inc, written by a smokejumper, is highly recommended.

Smokejumpers have a long history of assisting US Federal agencies with their unique independence and aviation skills; during the wars in Southeast Asia they were involved with the CIA. Air America Inc, written by a smokejumper, is highly recommended.

Smokejumper, Air America veteran and author Johnny Kirley discussing his career and the book.

Smokejumper, Air America veteran and author Johnny Kirley discussing his career and the book.

The CIA romanced many smokejumpers, and this fictional work by the late Patrick Lee, another smokejumper, is considered a classic.

The CIA romanced many smokejumpers, and this fictional work by the late Patrick Lee, another smokejumper, is considered a classic.

Smokejumpers are rugged individualists, many of whom go on to truly adventurous lives. Lee Gossett shares his amazing journey in Smokejumper to Global Pilot - highly recommended to understand the smokejumping pilot's lifestyle.

Smokejumpers are rugged individualists, many of whom go on to truly adventurous lives. Lee Gossett shares his amazing journey in Smokejumper to Global Pilot - highly recommended to understand the smokejumping pilot's lifestyle.

Spycraft 101 Podcast #13 - Smokejumper, Air America veteran and author Lee Gossett discussing his career.

Spycraft 101 Podcast #13 - Smokejumper, Air America veteran and author Lee Gossett discussing his career.

In Flight, pilot Neil Hansen tells his incredible story of a lifetime of adventure flying. In the 1990s a song by Steven Stills was very popular at my small smokejumper base for its unique call to adventure: Treetop Flyer. Neil was once a real Treetop Flyer.

In Flight, pilot Neil Hansen tells his incredible story of a lifetime of adventure flying. In the 1990s a song by Steven Stills was very popular at my small smokejumper base for its unique call to adventure: Treetop Flyer. Neil was once a real Treetop Flyer.

Treetop Flyer.

Treetop Flyer.

From my first days as a smokejumper we enjoyed discussing the mysterious life of former smokejumper Jerry Daniels; in Hog's Exit, Gayle Morrison tells his story.

From my first days as a smokejumper we enjoyed discussing the mysterious life of former smokejumper Jerry Daniels; in Hog's Exit, Gayle Morrison tells his story.

Smokejumpers of the 1950s-1970s era once assisted the CIA with aviation projects; to learn about this, read Gayle Morrison's classic on the war in Laos, The Sky Is Falling.

Smokejumpers of the 1950s-1970s era once assisted the CIA with aviation projects; to learn about this, read Gayle Morrison's classic on the war in Laos, The Sky Is Falling.

Ronald Price's story to help guide those thinking of joining select, elite military units.

Ronald Price's story to help guide those thinking of joining select, elite military units.

Through the Valley is the captivating memoir of the last US Army soldier and helicopter pilot taken prisoner during the Vietnam War - a narrative of courage, hope and survival. I include it as the US Forest Service helicopter program was greatly influenced by Vietnam veteran helicopter pilots.

Through the Valley is the captivating memoir of the last US Army soldier and helicopter pilot taken prisoner during the Vietnam War - a narrative of courage, hope and survival. I include it as the US Forest Service helicopter program was greatly influenced by Vietnam veteran helicopter pilots.

Wildfire firefighting has much in common with military special operations; for those interested in pilot escape and evasion, Last Hope: The Blood Chit Story is highly recommended.

Wildfire firefighting has much in common with military special operations; for those interested in pilot escape and evasion, Last Hope: The Blood Chit Story is highly recommended.

Military historian and author RE Baldwin discussing his books and collecting aviation artifacts.

Military historian and author RE Baldwin discussing his books and collecting aviation artifacts.

Another classic study in escape and evasion aids is Behind Enemy Lines, also highly recommended, by RE Baldwin.

Another classic study in escape and evasion aids is Behind Enemy Lines, also highly recommended, by RE Baldwin.

The US and NZ Antarctic Programs selected wildfire firefighters such as myself sometimes travel to in support of scientific research. On Ice is a good introduction to what it is like to work down on the Ice.

The US and NZ Antarctic Programs selected wildfire firefighters such as myself sometimes travel to in support of scientific research. On Ice is a good introduction to what it is like to work down on the Ice.