Ms. Adventure: My Wild Explorations in Science, Lava, and Life

Phoenix, a volcanologist and geologist, relates her adventures from the time she first discovers geology as a history undergrad to her induction into the famed Explorers Club. Along the way, she conducts research on volcanoes and glacial movement in the rugged terrain and hot and cold temperatures of Hawaii, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico. There is plenty of emotional and physical hardship along the way. But it may be the revelations of filming for science reality television that are the most enlightening, and to avid viewers of the same, somewhat disheartening. At the very end, still driven by science, Phoenix finds herself drawn into the most hazardous environment of all: politics. This book does not cover her unsuccessful bid for Congress, and one senses that experience could be another book in the making. A self-proclaimed “science evangelist” and speaker, Phoenix is cofounder of Blueprint Earth, a nonprofit science research and education organization designed to support STEM education for girls, minorities, and disadvantaged youth. No doubt Phoenix aims to inspire young people drawn to science to follow in her dusty footsteps with this book as well.