Unfortunately, natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and hurricanes are almost daily headlines. This book concentrates on the social construction of disasters, and its authors look
at how the characteristics of a disaster event are not solely responsible for the tragedies that follow. Authors discuss why those most vulnerable to disasters tend to be primarily women,
children, the elderly, and the disadvantaged or disabled. The authors explore why those specific vulnerabilities exist and what can be done to initiate change and reduce those vulnerabilities
and create capacity. Each chapter includes strategies for community-based mitigation by engaging those segments of the population most at risk. Editors are Blinn-Pike (sociology, Indiana
U.-Purdue U.), Fothergill (sociology, U. of Vermont), Phillips (Center for the Study of Disasters and Extreme Events, Oklahoma State U.), and Thomas (geography and environmental sciences, U. of
Colorado Denver) and 21 co-authors contributed to the book. Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
