Synopses & Reviews
From epidemics and earthquakes to tornados and tidal waves, the overwhelming power of nature never ceases to instill humankind with both terror and awe. As natural disasters continue to claim human lives and leave destruction in their wake, Perils of a Restless Planet examines our attempts to understand and anticipate such phenomena. Now available in paperback, this highly acclaimed book draws on actual events from ancient to present times. Coverage focuses on basic scientific inquiry, technological innovation and, ultimately, public policy to provide a lucid and riveting look at the natural events that have shaped our view of natural disasters. While shedding light on the elusive quality of nature's intermittent tantrums and the limits scientific study and laboratory replication impose on our understanding of its mercurial ways, the author extrapolates from the history of science to suggest how we may someday learn to warn and protect the vulnerable populations on our small, tempestuous planet. Compelling and informative, this book will find readers both in and outside of the scientific community.
Review
"...can be recommended without reservation not just to earth scientists and engineers, but to all who might appreciate an imaginative, disaster-rooted focus on the development on human culture and the scientific perspective." James R. Rice, Pure Applied Geophysics"Zebrowski revisits some of the greatest horrors engendered by Mother Nature over the last thousand years and explains how they can be predicted and how they work." Science News"...makes for not only the gripping reading experience of a first-class mystery novel, but also provides a compelling account of the status of the species Homo Sapiens on the threshold of a new and very uncertain millennium." J.D. Ives, Choice"It is an unexpected pleasure to get more than you pay for. Ernest Zebrowski, Jr.'s splendid book Perils of a Restless Planet provides just such a rare delight. The volume includes volcanoes, plagues, earthquakes, asteroids, tsunamis, tornadoes, and more...He seems to be that rarity, a careful and precise scientist who can tell a good story." Robert N. Leamnson, Science Books and Films
Review
'\"In these days when the television and movie screens are dominated by disaster movies, teachers and students alike will want to turn to Perils of a Restless Planet to read documented accounts of natural disasters as well as scientific explanations of origins and mechanisms of the disasters.\" Albert A. Bartlett, University of Colorado, Boulder\"Perils is a fascinating read about the science of natural disasters that strike randomly and often with grotesque human toil.\" Jearl Walker, Cleveland State University\"Zebrowski\'s infectious relish makes it hard not to look forward to the next plague--of, say, black widows--as he might tell it.\" Kirkus Reviews\"On All Saints\' Day in 1775, most residents of Lisbon, Portugal, were in church; little did they know they were being read their last rites. The first of three tsunamis hit at 9:40 a.m. Fire then engulfed the city, sparing survivors the pestilence sure to accompany the resulting 40,000 or so dead bodies. Zebrowski revisits some of the greatest horrors engendered by Mother Nature over the last thousand years and explains how they can be predicted and how they work.\" Science News\"...this book is such a good read....Snippets of information and awesome facts and figures thread through this book....a valuable source for those who want to catch the imagination of children.\" Sue Bowler, New Scientist\"...makes for not only the gripping reading experience of a first-class mystery novel, but also provides a compelling account of the status of the species Homo Sapiens on the threshold of a new and very uncertain millennium.\" J.D. Ives, Choice\"It will be a refreshing read for hazard scientists and students as well as the world at large.\" Bill McGuire, Nature\"Perils of a Restless Planet is exciting reading. It would be superb for a lower-division course emphasizing the methodologies of science and engineering, the importance of humility in the face of natural powers and the value of good design.\" Paul P. Craig, Physics Today\"It is an unexpected pleasure to get more than you pay for. Ernest Zebrowski, Jr.\'s splendid book Perils of a Restless Planet provides just such a rare delight. The volume includes volcanoes, plagues, earthquakes, asteroids, tsunamis, tornadoes, and more...He seems to be that rarity, a careful and precise scientist who can tell a good story.\" Robert N. Leamnson, Science Books and Films\"Zebrowski, in a clear and breezy style, weaves the history and basis for scientific thought and process with gripping accounts of major disasters during the history of humans on Earth. He explains how disasters have influenced man\'s quest for understanding and how science and engineering are helping man cope with the perils of a restless planet.\" Earth Sciences History'
Synopsis
A compelling look at natural disasters and their impact on human lives. Will appeal to scientists and non-scientists alike.
Synopsis
A compelling look at natural disasters and their impact on human lives. Will appeal to scientists and non-scientists alike.
Synopsis
Natural disasters continue to claim human lives and wreak havoc. Perils of a Restless Planet examines our current and past attempts to understand and anticipate these phenomena and their impact. Drawing upon case studies, the author suggests how we may someday learn to warn and protect the planet's vulnerable populations.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Life on the Earth's crust; 2. The evolution of science; 3. Hazards of shelter; 4. Death and life; 5. Restless seas; 6. Earth in upheaval; 7. Volcanoes and asteroid impacts; 8. Deadly winds; 9. Science and irreproducible phenomena; Appendices; Index.