Ms. Adventure

My Wild Explorations in Science, Lava, and Life

By: Jess Phoenix

Narrated by: Jess Phoenix

"Jess Phoenix's work encompasses science and representation in such a delightful melding that it could only come from as spry and playful a soul as hers! Open this book and jump into the volcano!" —Patton Oswalt

As a volcanologist, natural hazards expert, and founder of Blueprint Earth, Jess Phoenix has dedicated her life to scientific exploration. Her career path—hard earned in the male-dominated world of science—has led her into still-flowing Hawaiian lava fields, congressional races, glittering cocktail parties at Manhattan’s elite Explorers Club, and numerous pairs of Caterpillar work boots. It has also inspired her to devote her life to making science more inclusive and accessible.

Ms. Adventure skillfully blends personal memoir, daring adventure, and scientific exploration, following Phoenix’s journey from reality television sites deep in Ecuadorian jungles to Andean glaciers, university classrooms to Death Valley in summer. She has even chased down members of a Mexican cartel to retrieve a stolen favorite rock hammer. Readers will delight in her unbelievable adventures, all embarked on for the love of science.

Critic reviews

“The sheer grit and tenacity displayed in Jess Phoenix’s stories ensure their grip on the reader’s attention. Geology and adventure enthusiasts will have a blast.” —Publishers Weekly

“Jess Phoenix’s journey has been tempered by volcanic fire, colored by international adventure, molded by a cast of champions and antagonists, and catalyzed by the revelatory nature of science itself. Her fantastical origin story—from a student of history to a polymathic, science-proselytizing rebel—is the very definition of atypical; a polemic against a life of comforting, forgettable ordinariness and a paean to the extraordinary combination of persistence and curiosity.” —Dr. Robin George Andrews, Volcanologist and Science Journalist

“Geography itself is the unlikely hero of this exuberant memoir. Whether she is peeking into the top of an active volcano or trying to outwit the heat of the desert, Jess Phoenix brings her best game: the cunning of a detective, the soul of a poet and the open mind of a true explorer. It is pure joy to see the world through her endlessly curious eyes and to read about it in her crystal-clear prose.” —Madeleine H. Blais, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing and author of In These Girls, Hope Is a Muscle, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist

“The best nonfiction reads like fiction, and that’s certainly true of Jess Phoenix’s Ms. Adventure… Phoenix is a skilled writer and gifted storyteller with a startlingly ability to weave telling details into her narrative.” —Mountain Times

“Not only will the inspiring spirit of the narrator captivate readers, but this book makes it clear why fields like volcanology matter today more than ever. Phoenix’s gritty adventures and love for scientific exploration are made fully accessible to all, no matter your scientific background.” —Shepherd Express

Superb

Great reading. Nice fun adventures into the world of the volcanoes of our world.

A worthy listen

I don’t think this story does anything new or unexpected but it’s nevertheless always interesting. The narration is continually enjoyable and you’ll learn quite a bit about the life of a geologist. The second half where much of the research occurs is fascinating but the film crew and opening are good but not as noteworthy.

YA Science

Very little science and the adventures are entirely non-scientific. Completely misses the opportunity to talk about the excitement of scientific discovery.

I’m an adventurer in my own mind

I love Jess’s book because she describes a life of almost accidental adventuring. She follows her interests and finds herself a successful scientist and explorer. It could happen for you!

Disappointing Ending

This story was headed toward a 5-star rating (and a recommendation to friends and family) until the very end - when the author went from scientist to political activist. Rather than allowing the readers to draw their own conclusions based on her fantastic descriptions of the places she traveled, readers are clubbed over the head with her political views. Unnecessary and quite disappointing.