Burn: The Life Story of Fire.

Tanya Lloyd Kyi explores the history of fire and its applications, from its first use by human ancestors to the present day. Each chapter begins with the recounting of a myth from a different culture. These legends all depict use of fire in some way, with the remainder of the chapter then describing that use: in cooking, in religious ceremonies, in industry, as a means of communication, in the expression of emotion, and in warfare. The final chapter includes descriptions of the Earth’s fiery core, of volcanic activity, and the ecological need for fire. Photographs would have been an asset, as images would add to the power and drama of the text. Grey boxes with quick interesting facts about fire are interspersed throughout the narrative.

The author may have been a bit ambitious in trying to cover so many aspects of fire, as some are treated somewhat superficially and do not always identify the proper names associated with the subject. For instance, the description of “early humans” in South Africa does not mention the species of hominids represented in the archaeological record; having done so might more readily spark a youth’s interest in anthropology. Also, this section did not have an identifiable source cited in the reference list. For the amount of information presented in the book, the bibliography seems somewhat sparse.

The many descriptions of humans being burned alive may be inappropriate for some readers. Recommended with reservations.