Confronting Catastrophe: New Perspectives on Natural Disasters - Softcover

Alexander, E.

9781903544013: Confronting Catastrophe: New Perspectives on Natural Disasters

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1903544017 ISBN 13: 9781903544013

Publisher: Dunedin Academic Press, 2000

Confronting Catastrophe addresses natural disasters in terms of the issues arising from globalization, technological development and consumer culture. These factors have profoundly altered social and economic values, and international relations have responded to a new balance of forces and ideologies. Beginning by examining the theoretical underpinnings of academic and applied work the author then considers cultural, economic and historical changes in relation to the impact of disasters on human societies. Special attention is given to the effects of new technologies on vulnerability to natural catastrophe and to the difference in impacts between industrialized nations and developing countries. It is argued that, far from being exceptional events, disasters are a normal part of life and a substantial influence on most human cultures.

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About the Author:

David Alexander is Professor of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Review:

"This book is quite simply the best on its subject ever written - a work of pure genius - fascinating, consumately masterly! Bravo!"--David Alexander, Professor of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

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