Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country: How to Save Your Home, Business, and Life [Paperback]

Peter Yanev (Author), Andrew C.T. Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2009

In this updated and expanded third edition, seismic engineer Peter Yanev and risk management consultant Andrew Thompson explain how to prepare one's property to withstand a powerful quake, and how to protect one's family during and after the chaos. Residents of earthquake country learn why and how earthquakes occur, which construction methods are best suited for fault zones, and how to shore up existing buildings to survive the next big one. This comprehensive resource deconstructs complicated insurance policies, maps existing and suspected faults, and demystifies terms like "liquifaction" and "cripple walls."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Yanev, a visiting professor at Stanford University, has over 35 years of earthquake engineering experience.

Andrew C.T. Thompson is an earthquake risk management consultant at Arup Group. He lives in San Francisco, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 3 Upd Exp edition (March 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081186183X
• ISBN-13: 978-0811861830
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Seismology
  • #49 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Earthquakes & Volcanoes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's about time, July 21, 2009

By 

Jenny (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country: How to Save Your Home, Business, and Life (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for home and business owners everywhere trying to understand the earthquake risks to their homes and businesses. It provides very clear explanations of the forces behind earthquakes, safety risks, property risks, and business risks and it explains what you can do to reduce your risks by fixing your home or buying insurance, if you even need to. The best part is that you don't need to be a scientist or an engineer to understand it. I found the official website at [...] and there was a lot of additional information there. Earthquakes are too often addressed after they happen, this book allows you to be prepared before the next one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Earthquake Country Preparations, May 5, 2010

By 

S. J. Benedetti (Santiago, Chile) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country: How to Save Your Home, Business, and Life (Paperback)

I was in the process of finishing my own book on the greatest earthquake in history - Valdivia, Chile - May 1960. I wanted to wrap up the discussion with some comments about the importance of earthquake engineering, structures and "anti-seismic" construction. This book is just what I needed. Thorough, without becoming overly tedious, it gives a fairly complete overview of the various facets of earthquakes and how man-made structures react to seismic waves.

The book focuses on Southern California, but includes bits of information and history of other areas of the world. Black and white photos are not dressy, but serve quite well in illustrating the author's concepts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding survey, October 18, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country: How to Save Your Home, Business, and Life (Paperback)

Any individual or business residing anywhere in earthquake country, whether it be within California, on the Pacific Rim or elsewhere, needs Peace of Mind in Earthquake Country. Now in its third updated, expanded edition, this packs in details on earthquake risks, offering keys to making good preparations and decisions about managing earthquake risks. Graphs, recent photos, maps, and discussions of the latest insurance changes affecting earthquake country residents makes for an outstanding survey.