Although a minutely detailed history of a volcano, Winchester manages to present it as the history of volcanoes in general, how they are 'born', where they 'live', the animal and plant-life that belong to them. His total involvement with Krakatoa and the aftermath of its eruption in 1883 gives the reader the feeling that the volcano is more animal than mineral. The pace is fast, the maps copious and clear, the amount of information incredible.
(Kathie Somerwil Ayrton - bwl 23 April 2004 ) |
