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A Hero on Mount St. Helens: The Life and Legacy of David A. Johnston
Serendipity placed David Johnston on Mount St. Helens when the volcano rumbled to life in March 1980. Throughout that ominous spring, Johnston was part of a team that conducted scientific research that underpinned warnings about the mountain. Those warnings saved thousands of lives when the most devastating volcanic eruption in U.S. history blew apart Mount St. Helens, but killed Johnston on the ridge that now bears his name. Melanie Holmes tells the story of Johnston's journey from a nature-loving Boy Scout to a committed geologist. Blending science with personal detail, Holmes follows Johnston through encounters with Aleutian volcanoes, his work helping the Portuguese government assess the geothermal power of the Azores, and his dream job as a volcanologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Interviews and personal writings reveal what a friend called "the most unjaded person I ever met," an imperfect but kind, intelligent young scientist passionately in love with his life and work and determined to make a difference.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2019
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April 5, 2019
A Hero on Mount St. Helens: The Life and Legacy of David A. Johnston
A very good account of the events at Mount St. Helens, Washington at and around the time of it blowing up back in mid-May 1980. But more than that it tells about a volcanologist who lost his life while doing his job. Much of what was learned by him and others after the event helped a great deal since then in the amount of knowledge going forward. The team of scientists that were conducting scientific research at the closest camp to the volcano, Coldwater II, were sent back to Vancouver for the night, while David remained behind. He was serving watch in his assistant’s place, sending him away after 2 weeks of his being on site. David was scheduled to be relieved the next morning. He got up at dawn and radioed into Vancouver just before 7 a.m. on the 18th with the results of three laser measurements he’d taken earlier. He reported the weather as very nice, perfectly clear, temperature about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (ten degrees Celcius). At 8:32 a.m. (PDT), a 5.1 magnitude earthquake caused the bulge on the north face of the mountain to give way and the largest landslide in recorded history sped down its flank. Just before it hit, David managed one final radio message, “Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!” He was 30 years and 5 months old, to the day.
This wasn’t an excessively long story, it was just about right, giving background on David and his family as he grew up in Illinois. Very well written as it blends in facts about a deadly tornado early in Dave’s life...shaping him and leaning him toward a career in photojournalism. Then he got to college, with the Vietnam war going on and two of his early school buddies already on their way there. Dave took a geology class almost randomly and it changed his entire future when he found he was crazy about it and eventually changed his major. This ended up adding four more years to his college years, making a total of eleven. Partway through, this book became emotional for me as often happens. But it’s a really good story for those who enjoy science type memoirs. My parents traveled out west sometime after this event happened, and brought me back some of the ash. They went to where the lake used to be and talked about an abandoned truck that was still around somewhere. You could tell it had really made an impression on them, seeing the after effects. I highly recommend this book for those that have any interest. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Melanie Holmes, and the publisher for my fair review.
Also on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
A very good account of the events at Mount St. Helens, Washington at and around the time of it blowing up back in mid-May 1980. But more than that it tells about a volcanologist who lost his life while doing his job. Much of what was learned by him and others after the event helped a great deal since then in the amount of knowledge going forward. The team of scientists that were conducting scientific research at the closest camp to the volcano, Coldwater II, were sent back to Vancouver for the night, while David remained behind. He was serving watch in his assistant’s place, sending him away after 2 weeks of his being on site. David was scheduled to be relieved the next morning. He got up at dawn and radioed into Vancouver just before 7 a.m. on the 18th with the results of three laser measurements he’d taken earlier. He reported the weather as very nice, perfectly clear, temperature about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (ten degrees Celcius). At 8:32 a.m. (PDT), a 5.1 magnitude earthquake caused the bulge on the north face of the mountain to give way and the largest landslide in recorded history sped down its flank. Just before it hit, David managed one final radio message, “Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!” He was 30 years and 5 months old, to the day.
This wasn’t an excessively long story, it was just about right, giving background on David and his family as he grew up in Illinois. Very well written as it blends in facts about a deadly tornado early in Dave’s life...shaping him and leaning him toward a career in photojournalism. Then he got to college, with the Vietnam war going on and two of his early school buddies already on their way there. Dave took a geology class almost randomly and it changed his entire future when he found he was crazy about it and eventually changed his major. This ended up adding four more years to his college years, making a total of eleven. Partway through, this book became emotional for me as often happens. But it’s a really good story for those who enjoy science type memoirs. My parents traveled out west sometime after this event happened, and brought me back some of the ash. They went to where the lake used to be and talked about an abandoned truck that was still around somewhere. You could tell it had really made an impression on them, seeing the after effects. I highly recommend this book for those that have any interest. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Melanie Holmes, and the publisher for my fair review.
Also on my BookZone blog:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
March 26, 2021
I never realized how little we knew about explosive volcanoes until the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. Occurances were so rare (thankfully) that volcanologists weren't always present to experience one. They need to be in the right place at the right time and far enough away that it doesn't kill them. This was the case of volcanologist, David A. Johnston. 6 miles away wasn't far enough for him to escape the ash. Now in the 21st century scientists can predict better when a mountain is going to blow up and I'm sure will have plenty of scientific witnesses. A lot of this is due to the studies of Johnston.
I would not call this book literary non-fiction. The prose was a bit choppy and amateurish (sort of like my own writing). The author, Melanie Holmes, did not ever meet Johnston. She tried to remain reserved in her praise but she didn't quite succeed. She was a little too fawning for my taste. Near the end, she hints at some kind of controversy in his life but doesn't reveal it in her book. She did write that his family objected to a movie that depicted him as a daredevil rather than a careful scientist but this was something else. Now she has me guessing. What? I wish she hadn't mentioned it at all.
I would not call this book literary non-fiction. The prose was a bit choppy and amateurish (sort of like my own writing). The author, Melanie Holmes, did not ever meet Johnston. She tried to remain reserved in her praise but she didn't quite succeed. She was a little too fawning for my taste. Near the end, she hints at some kind of controversy in his life but doesn't reveal it in her book. She did write that his family objected to a movie that depicted him as a daredevil rather than a careful scientist but this was something else. Now she has me guessing. What? I wish she hadn't mentioned it at all.
May 31, 2019
A well-written and well-researched biography of volcanologist David Johnston combined with a detailed account of the eruption of Mount St Helens in 1980. Johnston lost his life in the eruption and the book is in many ways a tribute to him. The actual eruption is chronicled minute by minute, making for some very tense reading indeed, and certainly giving insight into what actually happens at such events. Interesting, informative, and inevitably moving at times, it’s a compelling read, and one which I very much enjoyed.
April 5, 2019
This book was very informative and felt almost reverential towards those that perished in the eruption of Mount St. Helens.
I was just a child when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. But I grew up watching the memorials, ceremonies, documentaries and hearing the stories of ash falling around the globe. I only had one image in my mind of David Johnston, that of him sitting on the ridge in a chair with his feet propped up smiling with a journal in his lap. This book delves into who he was as a person, what drove him, made him who he was and gives you a more complete picture of him as a person instead of what happened to him to make him famous. This book also pays tribute to others that died that day doing what they loved or enjoying life in areas they thought they were safe in never knowing what fate had in store for them early that fateful morning.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
I was just a child when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. But I grew up watching the memorials, ceremonies, documentaries and hearing the stories of ash falling around the globe. I only had one image in my mind of David Johnston, that of him sitting on the ridge in a chair with his feet propped up smiling with a journal in his lap. This book delves into who he was as a person, what drove him, made him who he was and gives you a more complete picture of him as a person instead of what happened to him to make him famous. This book also pays tribute to others that died that day doing what they loved or enjoying life in areas they thought they were safe in never knowing what fate had in store for them early that fateful morning.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
May 22, 2019
"On March 27 - Mount St. Helens exploded with a burst of steam and black ash. Dave was so excited that he did a little jig down the hallway"
Born and raised in Oregon, of course I know of St. Helens and the eruption. I'd even heard of the hero on the mountain and some of the things he'd done. But, all the stories and information I'd read before never came close to the information and detail here. It was fascinating to not only know more about the eruption, the science and people behind, but also about Washington and some of the history there. I loved Dave's passion but also his dedication. This is a dense but interesting story and I'm glad I read it.
Born and raised in Oregon, of course I know of St. Helens and the eruption. I'd even heard of the hero on the mountain and some of the things he'd done. But, all the stories and information I'd read before never came close to the information and detail here. It was fascinating to not only know more about the eruption, the science and people behind, but also about Washington and some of the history there. I loved Dave's passion but also his dedication. This is a dense but interesting story and I'm glad I read it.
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February 21, 2019Netgalley
pub date May 16, 2019
University of Illinois Press
CHANGE to Kindle edition
pub date May 16, 2019
University of Illinois Press
CHANGE to Kindle edition
May 3, 2020
Two years ago I visited Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mt. St. Helens. I had been meaning to go there ever since it was opened in 1997. The Observatory is situated in the same place that David Johnston was stationed to study the volcano. He watched St. Helens erupt and was killed by the eruption within a few moments. Visiting the observatory was amazing. You are able look right at the side St. Helens that blew apart. Reading this book gave me a much better understanding of who David Johnston was as the author shared her research about David and his family. Most of the other information in the book is rather brief and does not really give enough details to picture what really happened that day.
December 26, 2019
Very interesting book about David A Johnson, "Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!", the volcanologist who was killed in the May 18th 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. It was nice to learn about the man, who he was, his history, and some of his personal life.
September 11, 2019
A very interesting read! I did not know much about Mount St. Helens except it erupted and some people were killed. Nature and people are complex and amazing and I enjoyed this book.
May 5, 2019
Anyone who has any real interest in volcanoes will know of the cataclysmic eruption of Mt St Helens in 1980. I have a bit more than a passing knowledge as my academic background is one of Earth science, so Melanie Holmes’ A Hero on Mt St Helens is a book that immediately resonated with me.
It’s a biography of David Johnston, a volcanologist with the United States Geological Survey, who happened to be on duty on a ridge overlooking the volcano when it erupted, killing not only Johnston but but fifty-odd other individuals unfortunate enough to be within the danger area (which turned out to be far beyond that which the USGS had forecast).
The book is a biography of Johnston, calling on memories of his friends, writings from his diaries and so on, and in a way it’s a strange book. Johnston, risking his life to monitor the volcano was a hero by chance. A day later, even a few hours later, and someone else would have been in his place. Then I might well be reviewing a biography of someone else entirely.
On that basis you can argue that Johnston wasn’t heroic, but in a way he is Everyman. He represents all of those who take on such a dangerous task to protect us from potential natural hazards, and although much of his life is unremarkable it’s the very ordinariness of his background that helps to show how easily, and by chance, ordinary, dedicated scientists can become heroes.
In addition to to the minutiae (I would even say trivia) of Johnston’s life, the book contains a wealth of information about Mt St Helens and other volcanoes, about volcanic hazards and the personal stories of other volcanologists.
Because I’ve studied something of the discipline and keep myself up to date on what’s going on in the field, much of this wasn’t new to me. But for anyone who is interested but doesn’t know much about the topic, the story of David Johnston, an accidental hero, is fascinating, informative and in the end, useful. I thoroughly recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the University of Illinois Press for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
It’s a biography of David Johnston, a volcanologist with the United States Geological Survey, who happened to be on duty on a ridge overlooking the volcano when it erupted, killing not only Johnston but but fifty-odd other individuals unfortunate enough to be within the danger area (which turned out to be far beyond that which the USGS had forecast).
The book is a biography of Johnston, calling on memories of his friends, writings from his diaries and so on, and in a way it’s a strange book. Johnston, risking his life to monitor the volcano was a hero by chance. A day later, even a few hours later, and someone else would have been in his place. Then I might well be reviewing a biography of someone else entirely.
On that basis you can argue that Johnston wasn’t heroic, but in a way he is Everyman. He represents all of those who take on such a dangerous task to protect us from potential natural hazards, and although much of his life is unremarkable it’s the very ordinariness of his background that helps to show how easily, and by chance, ordinary, dedicated scientists can become heroes.
In addition to to the minutiae (I would even say trivia) of Johnston’s life, the book contains a wealth of information about Mt St Helens and other volcanoes, about volcanic hazards and the personal stories of other volcanologists.
Because I’ve studied something of the discipline and keep myself up to date on what’s going on in the field, much of this wasn’t new to me. But for anyone who is interested but doesn’t know much about the topic, the story of David Johnston, an accidental hero, is fascinating, informative and in the end, useful. I thoroughly recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the University of Illinois Press for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2019
This book was incredibly interesting reading, even though I wondered where we were going with the family history details in Chapter 2. The book quickly answered my question as it delved deep into David Johnston's personal history and contributions to global geothermal and volcanology knowledge. It also explored our geologic understanding of volcanoes, placing the St. Helens eruption in context with regard to both time and location around the globe. The writing is very descriptive, reminded me of my very brief time in the area, and inspires me to go back. The book has several endearing photos, but would also benefit from maps of volcanoes mentioned and the St. Helens area in particular -- but maybe that is just missing in the kindle ARC version. Ms. Holmes' work paints a personal picture of a natural tragedy that pushed our scientific knowledge forward by leaps and bounds. It is heartwarming that this small group of professionals used scientific discovery to help them deal with their loss of a true hero in David. Highly recommended reading -- couldn't put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley and University of Illinois Press for a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and University of Illinois Press for a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.
September 3, 2019
Review will be posted at www.books-n-kisses.com .
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
May 18, 1980
“Vancouver, Vancouver, This is it.”
Being from the Pacific Northwest and loving our mountains I understand David Johnson’s draw to Mt. St. Helens. It was amazingly beautiful mountain, it still is but in a very different way. I have climbed St. Helens twice now, once before reading this book and once after. I took a few extra moments the second trip up just for David. I was young when St. Helens blow but grow up learning about it and remember hearing David’s warning to Vancouver.
It was a wonderful tribute to a man who died doing what he loved. If you are from the PNW (or really anywhere) you should pick up this book and learn more about this wonderful young man.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & University of Illinois Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
May 18, 1980
“Vancouver, Vancouver, This is it.”
Being from the Pacific Northwest and loving our mountains I understand David Johnson’s draw to Mt. St. Helens. It was amazingly beautiful mountain, it still is but in a very different way. I have climbed St. Helens twice now, once before reading this book and once after. I took a few extra moments the second trip up just for David. I was young when St. Helens blow but grow up learning about it and remember hearing David’s warning to Vancouver.
It was a wonderful tribute to a man who died doing what he loved. If you are from the PNW (or really anywhere) you should pick up this book and learn more about this wonderful young man.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & University of Illinois Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
May 19, 2019
A Close Look at the 1980 Blast and a Life Lost
It has been 39 years since Mount St. Helen's blew it's top. It is burned into my brain as much as the first man on the moon, the Challenger disaster or the assassinations of Dr. King and the Kennedy brothers. We were in the ash fallout zone and I was obsessed with finding out all available information about it. David Johnston's death has always made him a hero in my heart. The part of the biography that discusses his early years is filled with psychological pap that is theory and not fact since the author is not a psychologist nor did David see a psychologist for any issues. The book re-tells the story of the Mount St. Helen's blast and adds some new (to me) information. I received this book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
It has been 39 years since Mount St. Helen's blew it's top. It is burned into my brain as much as the first man on the moon, the Challenger disaster or the assassinations of Dr. King and the Kennedy brothers. We were in the ash fallout zone and I was obsessed with finding out all available information about it. David Johnston's death has always made him a hero in my heart. The part of the biography that discusses his early years is filled with psychological pap that is theory and not fact since the author is not a psychologist nor did David see a psychologist for any issues. The book re-tells the story of the Mount St. Helen's blast and adds some new (to me) information. I received this book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
September 21, 2020
3.75 stars for this well-researched and meticulous biography. It starts with a tornado and ends with an eruption, and while some parts are a bit infodump-y, I found Johnston to be immensely compelling, relatable, and lovable throughout. Anyone who has watched "Dante's Peak" has seen the USGS building in Johnston's honor, but not everyone is aware of his contributions to the field of both geology and volcanology. Truly, a legend gone too soon. This book brings his childhood, adulthood, and daring, admirable last moments by the Mt. St. Helens bulge vividly to life.
October 12, 2019
This book was a beautiful testament to a man who lost his life on the mountain in the service of being able to warn others. The author did a great job of telling the story of David Johnston, and also giving just enough explanation about the eruption that a non-scientist could understand the events that led up to that eruption.
October 17, 2024
This is a great history reminder of Mt. St Helens and life of David A. Johnston. Melanie Holmes was fantastic in how she remembers David and his family growing up.
A brilliant scientist, David gave his life to understanding volcanoes, and hopefully saving lives.
A great read to those of us who remember that day and the times leading up to that day of St. Helens catastrophic eruption.
A brilliant scientist, David gave his life to understanding volcanoes, and hopefully saving lives.
A great read to those of us who remember that day and the times leading up to that day of St. Helens catastrophic eruption.
November 11, 2019
A very well written biography about David Johnston, a volcanologist , who studied the patterns and much more of when volcanoes would erupt. The majority of his studies were at Mt. St. Helen’s. Their is mention of many others who studied volcanoes with David .
July 21, 2020
Wonderful to Read
Such a wonderful book to read about David Johnston and of his life to his dream job!! I have enjoyed this so much that it will deepens my understanding of volcanoes and eruptions.
Such a wonderful book to read about David Johnston and of his life to his dream job!! I have enjoyed this so much that it will deepens my understanding of volcanoes and eruptions.
May 24, 2019
Actual rating 3.5 stars
November 16, 2023
One of my favorite books of all time.
September 14, 2024
Not everyone would give this 5 stars. However, this was a very emotional read for me about someone I've long looked up to. Thank you to Holmes for writing it.
May 22, 2020
At times there was a bit of too much scientific information for this layperson to follow, but this is a book about a volcanologist after all. Other than my own lack of scientific higher education causing me to bog down in a couple of explanatory bits about volcanic phenomena, and I read every word, no skimming here, this was an easy, informative, enjoyable read. Poignant at times because we know the ending of David A. Johnston's too short life. I did learn some new facts about volcanoes, eruptions, and Dr. Johnston.
September 17, 2023
Today, May 18, 2019 is the 39th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington. It is also the anniversary of the day David Johnston, a United States Geological Survey (USGS) volcanologist died doing his job. Johnston was the only USGS worker that died that day and since that time there have been many memorials dedicated in his name.
Today is also the publication day of this book, written to honor David Johnston's life. While the book is primarily a biography it also explains what was known about how volcanos act, or what was known at the time in early 1980. There is more scientific knowledge and understanding today than back then, and much of the information came from that eruption.
For some people volcanos have some type of lure, people are curious, interested, and when Mount St. Helens started waking up people flocked to the area, tourists. It was difficult for the geologists and authorities to accurately maintain a safety zone, to keep people away because so much was unknown. Today we do know more, but volcanos are still very dangerous, and can at times be unpredictable. Johnston knew there was danger, but it was also exciting to be there and learning more. No one knew exactly when the volcano would explode. It was just coincidence that Johnston was there that morning when it happened, manning the post (an observation and monitoring station named Coldwater II). No one knew how extensive the explosion would end up being. It's believed 57 people died in that blast, and it could have been worse without people like Johnston warning of the extreme danger.
I visited the Mount St. Helens area briefly in 1993 and was amazed how visible the destruction still was from that volcano blast. It appeared to have exploded more recently than my decade plus years visit. I remember being there too late to go into the visitor's area, and as we were just passing through the area, there wasn't time to go in the next day. I've meant to return someday, and when I do I can certainly appreciate the full story of what happened in 1980 having now read this book.
I appreciate having an advance review copy to read, and the copy I read certainly read like it wasn't completely done. Portions of the book were in different colors, which I have no idea what that meant, and there were large sections that read like a draft copy. The later part of the book the writing improved and seemed to be finished. There were some beautiful sentences and sentiments. It's hard to judge a book fully when reading one that still needed some work, but giving the benefit of doubt, I expect the completed book will be in better shape.
In the end this is a great tribute to David Johnston and his family, as an official record of his full life with scientific achievements and legacy.
Thanks to University of Illinois Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
Today is also the publication day of this book, written to honor David Johnston's life. While the book is primarily a biography it also explains what was known about how volcanos act, or what was known at the time in early 1980. There is more scientific knowledge and understanding today than back then, and much of the information came from that eruption.
For some people volcanos have some type of lure, people are curious, interested, and when Mount St. Helens started waking up people flocked to the area, tourists. It was difficult for the geologists and authorities to accurately maintain a safety zone, to keep people away because so much was unknown. Today we do know more, but volcanos are still very dangerous, and can at times be unpredictable. Johnston knew there was danger, but it was also exciting to be there and learning more. No one knew exactly when the volcano would explode. It was just coincidence that Johnston was there that morning when it happened, manning the post (an observation and monitoring station named Coldwater II). No one knew how extensive the explosion would end up being. It's believed 57 people died in that blast, and it could have been worse without people like Johnston warning of the extreme danger.
I visited the Mount St. Helens area briefly in 1993 and was amazed how visible the destruction still was from that volcano blast. It appeared to have exploded more recently than my decade plus years visit. I remember being there too late to go into the visitor's area, and as we were just passing through the area, there wasn't time to go in the next day. I've meant to return someday, and when I do I can certainly appreciate the full story of what happened in 1980 having now read this book.
I appreciate having an advance review copy to read, and the copy I read certainly read like it wasn't completely done. Portions of the book were in different colors, which I have no idea what that meant, and there were large sections that read like a draft copy. The later part of the book the writing improved and seemed to be finished. There were some beautiful sentences and sentiments. It's hard to judge a book fully when reading one that still needed some work, but giving the benefit of doubt, I expect the completed book will be in better shape.
In the end this is a great tribute to David Johnston and his family, as an official record of his full life with scientific achievements and legacy.
Thanks to University of Illinois Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
January 30, 2022
A sometimes engaging and sometimes unfocused story of a devoted and courageous volcanologist who died during the explosion of Mount St. Helen’s. Did not contain much depth regarding the explosion itself, and contained much of what seemed like filler.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews