From flying into the eye of a hurricane to sleeping in canopies high in the redwoods, this book offers a look at the exciting, dangerous, and important jobs extreme scientists do around the world, the reasons they do it, and the benefits the world has gained as a result of their research. - (Baker & Taylor)

Offers a look at the exciting, dangerous, and important jobs that three different extreme scientists do around the world, the reasons they do it, and the benefits the world has gained as a result of their research. - (Baker & Taylor)

Extreme scientists battle some of the Earth's most intense conditions, from hurricanes to caves to the crowns of towering redwoods, in order to save lives, preserve species, and help us to better understand the way our planet works. - (Baker & Taylor)

Booklist Reviews

"*Starred Review* This handsome volume from the Scientists in the Field series profiles three scientists working far out in the field. Hurricane hunter Paul Flaherty doesn't just track a storm from his office; he flies into its eye to observe it and to collect readings that can't be obtained from the ground. Hazel Barton, a microbiologist specializing in single-cell organisms living in extreme conditions, finds them by going wherever she must, scuba diving through underwater passageways and rappelling into glacial crevasses and deep underground caves. Ecologist and college professor Steve Sillett, who scaled and measured "the world's tallest living tree" (379.1 feet), climbs into the canopies to study redwoods. While the clearly written text includes vivid passages about the dangers these scientists face, it goes on to discuss what drives them to pursue their subjects and what they have discovered along the way. Each of the three sections concludes with an interview. The many excellent color photos portray these adventurers as scientists intently focused on their work, though sometimes in unusual or unusually beautiful surroundings. Appendixes include a glossary for each section, source notes, and lists of recommended books, DVDs, and Web sites. Fascinating." Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

This volume profiles three stereotype-shattering scientists whose field research provides some pretty intense experiences: a meteorologist/hurricane hunter, microbiologist/caver, and ecologist/redwood climber. Jackson hits just the right balance between informative descriptions of the science and excitement surrounding the risks involved. The numerous intriguing photos achieve this balance as well, showcasing all three scientists both in the lab and out in their elements. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Copyright 2009 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Horn Book Magazine Reviews

The outstanding Scientists in the Field series cranks it up a notch with profiles of three stereotype-shattering scientists whose field research sites provide some pretty intense experiences. Paul Flaherty is a meteorologist and hurricane hunter, riding directly into hurricanes on a special Air Force plane to collect data critical for storm prediction. Hazel Barton is a microbiologist and caver, happily crawling deep within caves to examine the microbes able to survive in extreme environments. Stephen Sillett is an ecologist and climber, often spending days camping hundreds of feet up in the tops of redwoods to better understand canopy ecosystems. Jackson hits just the right balance between informative descriptions of the science and excitement surrounding the risks involved in the activities of the scientists. The numerous intriguing photos achieve this balance as well, showcasing all three scientists both in the lab and out in their elements. Appended are lists of further reading, glossaries, source notes, and an index. Copyright 2009 Horn Book Magazine Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Scientific fieldwork takes Paul Flaherty, Hazel Barton and Steve Sillett to dangerous heights and depths in this latest entry in the Scientists in the Field series, which presents three biographies connected by their format. In turn Jackson introduces the researchers, alludes to their childhood scientific interest (including a snapshot of the budding scientist in earlier years) and training and focuses on their dangerous work today. Meteorologist Flaherty serves as flight director for planes venturing into the eyes of tropical storms. Microbiologist Barton collects her specimens in caves under land and glacial ice crevasses. Botanist Sillett explores tree canopies, especially in redwood forests. Readers will encounter fascinating facts about weather forecasting, cave bacteria and fungi and life in the treetops. Each section ends with a series of quick questions to these courageous scientists. The index would be more useful if all the pages were numbered. Though this lacks the sparkle of some earlier titles in this consistently interesting series, the subject is bound to appeal to middle-school extremophiles. (further explorations, glossary, sources) (Nonfiction. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus 2009 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 4-8–Three scientists whose research entails physical danger are featured here: one flies into hurricanes; another explores caves; and the third climbs the world's tallest trees. Through interviews, the author explores their work and its physical and psychological challenges. Although each section mentions that researchers can die from accidents in the field, the benefits and joys of each area of work are emphasized. Large color photos show the people (all Caucasian), their equipment, and the beauty of the extreme nature they explore. The section on cave explorer Hazel Barton has the most human interest and even shows a tattoo on her arm that depicts a partial map of South Dakota's Wind Cave. References to the subjects' childhood interests in science suggest that it's never too early to begin exploring. This exemplary title is just the thing for those who think that all scientists are sedentary.–Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA