Disaster and Human History: Case Studies in Nature, Society and Catastrophe

by Benjamin Reilly

Overview

Natural disasters have played an integral role in human history. Volcanic eruptions have been credited with the fall of civilizations, pandemic diseases have affected multiple generations, and massive famines have killed or impoverished millions. But in many cases, "natural" disasters are anything but. Famines are almost invariably caused by or related to domestic and international wars, diseases are either intentionally or unintentionally spread, and, while humans play little to no role in producing volcanoes and other earth phenomena, the impact of these events are worsened by human decisions. This book examines the relationship between humanity and the natural environment through the lens of natural disasters, where the interaction comes into sharpest focus. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786436552
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	01/22/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	399
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Benjamin Reilly is an environmental historian working at Carnegie Mellon University’s branch campus in Qatar. His publications have included French Revolutionary ideological discourse, information on lactose tolerance amongst Arabian Bedouins, and Europe’s long engagement with the Eternal City of Rome. He lives in Doha, Qatar.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Introduction     

1. A Brief History of the Modern World     

2. Volcanoes     
2.1: Krakatau, 1883     
2.2: Mount Pelée, 1902     
2.3: Mount Pinatubo, 1991     

3. Earthquakes     
3.1: Messina Strait, 1908     
3.2: Great Kanto Earthquake, 1923     
3.3: Pakistani Earthquake, 2005     

4. Environmental Changes     
4.1: El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)     
4.2: Desertification     
4.3: Global Warming     

5. Tropical Cyclones     
5.1: Great Bhola Cyclone, 1970     
5.2: Cyclone Tracy, 1974     
5.3: Hurricane Andrew, 1992     

6. Floods and Tsunamis     
6.1: Yellow River Flooding, 19th and 20th Century China     
6.2: Flooding Caused by the Asian Tsunami, 2004     
6.3: Flooding Caused by Hurricane Katrina, 2005     

7. Famines     
7.1: Irish Potato Famine, 1846–1852     
7.2: Mao’s Great Leap Forward     
7.3: Ethiopia, 1973–Present     

8. Disease     
8.1: Disease of Agriculture: Pellagra     
8.2: Disease of Imperialism: Malaria     
8.3: Disease of Industry: Cholera     
8.4: Disease of Globalization: AIDS     

Conclusion     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

a very usable environmental manual...writing is engaging...could be a valuable resource...significantly relevant”—Teaching History: A Journal of Methods; “a very enjoyable read, offering the tension and drama these hazards deserve.”—Natural Hazards Observer.

From the Publisher

a very usable environmental manual...writing is engaging...could be a valuable resource...significantly relevant

Teaching History: A Journal of Methods

"a very enjoyable read, offering the tension and drama these hazards deserve."

Natural Hazards Observer