FIRE!

Masoff's first book overflows with childlike fascination for the subject of firefighting. Near-encyclopedic for beginners, the volume features two-page spreads that contain separate but related spoonfuls of information, often with sidebars and boxes, and plenty of sharp, full-color dramatic photographs. The pages are strewn with interesting facts on new equipment, such as thermal imagery cameras that reveal fire victims buried in the densest smoke, and Kevlar fire gear; a good dose of firefighting lingo; some plain old curios, e.g., why firefighters sport golf tees in the bands of their helmets; plenty of historical trivia concerning dalmatians, Ben Franklin, and Mrs. O'Leary's cow; and a recipe for a four-alarm chicken dish that is reheatable in case the firefighters are called away to rescue. For browsing or for research, this book is full of serious information served up in an exciting format. (diagrams, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)