Irons in the Fire by John McPheeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
There are seven essays in the short book, listed below with a few words on each.
Irons in the Fire – title essay about the brands in Nevada, marking the cattle that protects them from rustlers. Thieves still abound, at least by the mid-1990s when the book was released. McPhee follows the Nevada Brand Inspector, learning about epic cases of cattle stealing and a little on brand marks.
Release – short essay about a blind writer who found technology helped him with his writing, an IBM PC. Somewhat antiquated now, but a decent essay, nonetheless.
In Virgin Forest – Trees! A very short essay on a virgin forest found in New Jersey, of all places. The essay talks about how this came to pass and how it will remain.
The Gravel Page – The longest essay (66 pages) & my favorite. Forensic geology. How it is done and how the FBI solved a few high-profile cases using rocks. McPhee has a way of finding and talking to amazing people! A lot about geology in this essay.
Duty of Care – An interesting essay about tires, used tires. What has happened with them in the United States (at least in the past) is just bury them. But they have use after being a tire, and a lot of stored energy. Hopefully used tires today are being reused and recycled in a better manner than 25 or so years ago.
Rinard at Manheim – Exotic cars, what more needs to be said. At least it was short, only 6 pages, shortest essay of the book.
Travels of the Rock – This was an eye-opener. "The Rock" is Plymouth rock, you know the one where the Pilgrims “landed” and thus began the mythology on the founding of the United States. The rock itself has diminished greatly since the mid-1600’s. Around the time of the revolution it split in half, with one part going North. Once reunited the rock wasn’t put together properly and this essay covered much of that restoration. This essay was excellent, another favorite.
Crofter and the Laird (5 stars) - May.2019
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