The Book of Fire

Explains the process of combustion, looks at how fires start and spread in forests, and discusses the impact of forest fires

William H. Cottrell Jr. obtained a BS in zoology from Colorado State University prior to attending medical school at the University of Missouri. He served with the U.S. Army in Alaska, and then completed an orthopedic surgical residency at the University of Southern California. A private surgical practice, a family, and a passion for rock climbing took up much of his time until a climbing accident temporarily slowed him down. This provided him the opportunity to write books, obtain private and commercial flying licenses, and begin work on AIDS-related educational materialsHis ability to present complex scientific information by combining accurate graphics and simplified text grew out of the doctor-patient relationship. He now practices medicine at his Osteoporosis Medical Center in El Dorado, California, and lectures on the molecular biology of bone and bone disease.