Synopsis
Spitcat, a raging forest fire in the Sierra Nevada of California, had a lifespan of merely eleven days, "yet its effects could be reckoned ahead in centuries." So writes George R. Stewart in this engrossing novel of a fire started by lightning in the dry heat of September, and fanned out of control by unexpected winds. The book begins with the origins of the fireâ smoldering quietly at first, unnoticed, then suddenly bursting into a terrifying inferno, devouring trees and animals over acre after acre and leaving nothing but desolation in its wake.
Firefighters and lookouts, forest rangers and smokejumpersâ as well as animals in the forest, many of them the bewildered victims of the blaze, and all the varied tress and bushes thereâ are characters of this realistic story.
Firefighters and lookouts, forest rangers and smokejumpersâ as well as animals in the forest, many of them the bewildered victims of the blaze, and all the varied tress and bushes thereâ are characters of this realistic story.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Other books by George R. Stewart available in Bison Book editions are Storm (BB 826) and The California Trail (BB 850).
Review
"The writing is superb—hard, lean, expressive prose. The feelings of the men as they work, eat, sleep, talk, are eloquently set forth. It's an exciting story. . .and so real it's hard to believe that the Spitcat never existed, never burnt a tree, so magnificently has Stewart imagined and circumstantially created it."—Christian Science Monitor (Christian Science Monitor)
"A vivid and dramatic account of man pitted against one of his worst enemies. Fire shows the effect of this desperate fight upon the bodies, minds and souls of the men and women involved."—Newsweek (Newsweek)
"An unforgettable novel."—New York Times (New York Times)
"The cumulative effect of the whole thing is tremendous; there's no other word for it."—San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco Chronicle)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Fire
Stock Image
Fire
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1971
ISBN 10: 0395125480
ISBN 13: 9780395125489
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 13581105-6
Stock Image
Fire
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1971
ISBN 10: 0395125480
ISBN 13: 9780395125489
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 4953963-75
Seller Image
FIRE
Published by
Houghton Mifflin, 1971
ISBN 10: 0395125480
ISBN 13: 9780395125489
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Sage Rare & Collectible Books, IOBA, Livonia, MI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good+. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. First Edition; First Printing. Red cloth cover is sunned on spine with faint wear to the corners and caps, but clean, bright, and overall in very good+ condition. Boards and spine are straight. Binding is tight. Pages are clean and pristine. .; 8.4 X 5.9 X 1.4 inches; 336 pages. Seller Inventory # 15637
Stock Image
Fire
Seller: Michael Patrick McCarty, Bookseller, New Castle, CO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Uncommon in dustjacket. Spitcat, a raging forest fire in the Sierra Nevada of California, had a lifespan of merely eleven days, yet its effects could be reckoned ahead in centuries. So writes George R. Stewart in this engrossing novel of a fire started by lightning in the dry heat of September, and fanned out of control by unexpected winds. The book begins with the origins of the fire?smoldering quietly at first, unnoticed, then suddenly bursting into a terrifying inferno, devouring trees and animals over acre after acre and leaving nothing but desolation in its wake. Firefighters and lookouts, forest rangers and smokejumpers?as well as animals in the forest, many of them the bewildered victims of the blaze, and all the varied tress and bushes there?are characters of this realistic story. Seller Inventory # SKU2010030618