"There is no better book for characterizing the underlying causes behind the success or failure of governmental response in a disaster and its impact on human behavior." (*)
Why does government sometimes do a superlative job handling natural disaster situations while at other times, as in the case of Hurricane Katrina, it performs extremely poorly?
Now updated with examples through 2010, this classic study examines the disruptive effects of disasters on patterns of human behavior and the routine operations of government, and the conditions under which even relatively minor crises can lead to system breakdown. Integrating case studies of emergency management with studies of collective behavior, the author identifies factors that contribute to successful government handling of disaster situations and distills insights that can be used to improve these capacities at all levels—federal, state, and local.
The book includes numerous illustrations as well as expanded coverage of research on disaster management and greatly expanded reference lists.
Endorsements:
"I used the first edition of this book in the classroom for fourteen years. In my experience there is no better book for characterizing the underlying causes behind the success or failure of governmental response in a disaster and its impact on human behavior. My students love the case studies and the understanding that comes from reading them. I am thrilled that Professor Schneider has updated a classic in our field." - Janet Dilling, Florida State University
"Dealing with Disaster is an outstanding contribution to our knowledge of how governments are expected to directly confront and manage disasters. Based on a sound theoretical foundation, this book illustrates the problems and challenges that confronted government in a series of disasters, from megadisasters like Hurricane Katrina to ‘normal disasters’ such as flooding in less extensive areas. Professor Schneider deftly combines theories of disaster management with policy and behavioral theories in ways that will interest researchers and practitioners across a range of disciplines. It's one of the few must-read books on the subject." - Thomas A. Birkland, North Carolina State University