No Apparent Danger - by Victoria Bruce (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In 1985 in Columbia, more than 23,000 people died due to the government's failure to take seriously scientists' warnings about an imminent volcanic eruption at Nevado del Ruiz. In 1993, at Volcán Galeras, the death toll was smaller but no less tragic: despite seismic data that foretold possible disaster, an expedition of international scientists proceeded into the volcano. Two hours later, nine people were dead.

Expertly detailing the turbulent history of Colombia, Victoria Bruce links together the stories of the heroes, villains, survivors, and victims of these two events. No Apparent Danger is a spellbinding account of clashing cultures and the life-and-death consequences of scientific arrogance.

Review Quotes

?The finest sort of journalism -- ferociously well researched and impossible to put down.?-- Sebastian Junger, author of "The Perfect Storm"A breathtaking story of scientific hubris and unimaginable tragedy. Expertly written and unflinchingly reported."-- Todd Balf, author of "The Last River ""Harrowing...offers rich insight into the untidy workings of volcanologists and science in general." --" Discover Magazine ""A tragic story with explosive implications."--" Kirkus Reviews ""A vivid account....Bruce documents...warning signals Williams missed, safety precautions he failed to take and grandstanding opportunities he seized."--" Time Magazine ""A scientific thriller [that] shows how natural disasters are also the work of men... Memorable"-- "Boston Globe ""A shocking expose...The true story of two volcanoes in Colombia"-- "Glamour""Heart-stopping....A gripping disaster story [and] a scathing account of human folly, arrogance and ambition....Bruce's mastery of the science is complete, her writing clear." -- "New York Times Book Review""Harrowing....Traces the fascinating recent history of Colombian volcanoes and the scientific community...in an insightful, spellingbinding account."-- "Publishers Weekly""A riveting tale of adventure and disaster."-- "New York Newsday""Ms. Bruce, a science writer...makes her charges stick."-- "The Wall Street Journal"