In the Range of Fire and Ice: A Human and Natural History of Washington’s Cascades

A breathtaking journey through Washington's Cascades--where fire, ice, wildlife, and human stories collide

• Views the Cascade Range through the lenses of wildlife, flora, geology, Indigenous history, glaciers, and more
• Celebrates inspiring conservation successes
• Illustrated with a blend of historical and modern photographs

Blending human and natural history into a vivid portrait of one of North America's most dynamic landscapes, In the Range of Fire and Ice is a lively, groundbreaking exploration of Washington's Cascade Range. Drawing on conversations with anthropologists, park rangers, ecologists, and climate scientists, as well as firsthand experience, award-winning author David B. Williams brings readers into the mountains to uncover stories etched in the landscape over millennia.

From traditional Indigenous huckleberry harvesting grounds and ancient footpaths to erupting volcanoes, shifting glaciers, and forgotten mining camps, In the Range of Fire and Ice reveals the Cascades as a place of both deep time and constant change. While past logging, mining, and fires left lasting scars, the Cascades also tell powerful stories of recovery and resilience--returning wolverines and wolves, the remarkable rebirth of Mount St. Helens, and growing stewardship in the face of climate change. Through rich storytelling and careful research, Williams invites readers to see the Cascades not only as mountains, but as a living, evolving realm of fire, ice, and hope.

David B. Williams is an author, naturalist, and tour guide. He is the author 12 books, including the award-winning Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound plus Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature, Cairns: Messengers in Stone; Stories in Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology; and Waterway: The Story of Seattle's Ship Canal and Locks, the latter two of which were finalists for the Washington State Book Award. Williams is a Curatorial Associate at the Burke Museum and writes a free weekly Substack newsletter, the Street Smart Naturalist. He lives in Seattle.

Review Quotes:

"With Williams leading us down the wild paths of the Cascades, In the Range of Fire & Ice is accessible and readable for even the most casual armchair traveler or virtual adventurer, and a treasure trove for those who themselves plan to head into these beautiful mountains."--Peter Stark, author of The Lost Cities of El Norte, Astoria, and The Last

"No one writes better or more comprehensively about the wonder of our region or the urgent challenges we face than David B. Williams. And what's best? He shares not only his own experiences but also time with experts in the field. If you're looking for an introduction or a re-introduction to our marvelous home place, look no further than In the Range of Fire and Ice."--Ana Maria Spagna, author of Coiled: Essays on Urgency and Kinship

"Reading In the Range of Fire & Ice is like taking a hike with the most knowledgeable guide imaginable. David B. Williams has given voice to our wild, untamable mountains."--Steve Olson, author of Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens