Into the Storm: Violent Tornadoes, Killer Hurricanes, and Death-defying Adventures in Extreme Weather [Hardcover]

First off - let me say that this is a GREAT book. It's well-written, it's interesting, and it engages the reader.

Ironically, the stories that engage the reader most are the ones that don't really involved tornadoes. I thought the hurricane descriptions and narration were far more interesting than the tornado ones. Don't get me wrong, the tornado tales were incredible, but the hurricane (especially Katrina) really had me going on the edge of my seat. In addition, Reed's story of starting his business, building connections with the media, etc. are fascinating.

What I was really looking for in this book was the background information on how most of us know Reed Timmer. I was truly hoping for some behind-the-scenes information about the Discovery show. (My theory is that there is another book planned on this material down the road...) The show goes into depth about Dr. Josh Wurman (the "Dean Wermer" of this last season, and earlier ones as well) and his sometimes contentious past relationship with Reed. None of this makes the book. Chris Chittick all of a sudden shows up at the end of the book as a "long-time" friend and chase partner. However, there is nothing in the past biography about him.

Something else I think that would be key to this book would have been an index. This book is FILLED with incredible weather information and chasing tips. An index would have made this book a practical tool in addition to being a fun tale.

Reed - Based on your many mentions of the book of checking the internet for critiques about your chasing, my thinking is that you're probably reading this. I do hope you are planning a follow-up book to cover the Discovery Channel years. Your interactions with Wurman, Casey, Samaras, etc... would be INCREDIBLY interesting. In addition, many of us are wondering how you made up with Joel after last season's blow-out, how you met Ginger, etc... You've got a great deal of material for a follow-up tome.

The most telling in this book is Reed Timmer's brutal honesty about himself. He truly does open himself up to critique and goes in-depth on his past second-guessing and ethics of his chosen profession. To that - I say "well-done".

I have to admit I was skeptical at first: Wouldn't a visually dynamic phenomenon like storm chasing suffer when translated to the written page? Fortunately, no. To the contrary, I found that all the extra details and context that you get in these pages help to put the reader in the passenger seat like no short clip or TV series can.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in weather or adrenaline. I would never personally risk my life to see storms and hurricanes up close, but reading this gave me a chance to experience what it's like for Mr. Timmer and the others who take that risk in the name of science and kick-ass video.

Highlights for me were the Moore, OK chase and the description of what it was like to go face to face with Hurricane Katrina. If I have a complaint, it's that reading about all these chases made me crave more. I'm not about to hop in a truck and head for the plains, so here's hoping for a sequel.

"Weather" you watch Discovery Channel's "Storm Chasers" or "Weather" you don't there is very little chance that you will be able to pick up the book "Into the Storm" and then put it back down. If you do happen to watch "Storm Chasers" you will recognize Reed Timmer as the energetic and animated meteorologist/videographer in the burgundy colored Kevlar and Rhino Liner coated "Dominator" storm chase vehicle.

Reed, as you will learn in this book, is much more than an enthusiastic adrenaline junkie out for a fix. He chases for the science and the knowledge that is obtained by his adventures in the pursuit of his elusive prey, the tornado.

Reed is obviously a very intelligent young man with many hunts still to go. His prey is the cyclonic warriors that attack Middle America each year and every year. Rarely during the year is there not at least one life lost because of a tornado. In his efforts, Reed is not only trying to capture the powerful beasts on his video camera as they move across the grasslands, farmlands and wooded areas of the continent but he is also gathering previously unretrievable data that will be used one day to protect property but more importantly lives.

This book will guide you through what drives him to make the next journey and it will show you the seeds that were sewn early in his life that kept him on the path that he has found to be fulfilling and exciting. As you read this you will find yourself in the back seat of the car wondering if you should close your eyes or open them to see these monsters take you with him. You will also find that you are getting an excellent education as well. Reed explains the ingredients that make up the recipes for the perfect storms and he explains how the weather observations you have seen in your lifetime make up both the dangerous and the spectacular.

There have been few books that I have enjoyed more but what I enjoyed the least was the end. Because I chose the unabridged audio version from Audible.com, I was surprised when it was all over as I could not see the pages waning away as the book was coming to a close. I wanted more. I want more!

Lucky for all of us Reed will be there to assist the scientific community for a long time to come. If you have watched any of this season's shows (Season 4) you are already aware of he and his team's direct humanitarian assistance to the survivors of one of this year's tornadoes he captured on video in Yazoo, Mississippi.

Being an OCD enthusiast in many hobbies and interests myself, I understand his fervent and enthusiastic approach. I look forward to more writings by Reed and much more video as well. I also plan on staying tuned to his website and his YouTube channel.

I feel this is a must read book for all, even in you do not live in Tornado country. Whether you have never seen a Tornado in all it's beauty or you have experienced the harm they have caused or lived in the communities they have affected you will still read the passion and compassion he has for his interests and the people they affect and assist.

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