The Sociology of Katrina: Perspectives on a Modern Catastrophe [Paperback]

David Brunsma (Author), David Overfelt (Author), Steve Picou (Author), Carl L., III Bankston (Contributor), John Barnshaw (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0742559300 | ISBN-13: 978-0742559301 | Publication Date: August 5, 2007 | Edition: 1

As a disaster, Hurricane Katrina logs in as both the most destructive and instructive when considering the cataclysmic effects, as well as the magnitude of knowledge, that can be drawn from it. This meteorological event became the stimulus for devastating technological failures and widespread toxic contamination, causing the largest internal diaspora of displaced people in recent U.S. history. This book brings together the nation's top sociological researchers in an effort to catalogue the modern catastrophe that is Hurricane Katrina. The chapters in this volume discuss sociological perspectives of disaster literature, provide alternative views and analyses of early post-storm data collection efforts, and examine emerging social questions that have surfaced in the aftermath of Katrina.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Sociology of Katrina is a data- and theory-driven collection, exhibiting the best of what sociology has to offer. (Professor Rachel E. Luft Book Review Essay )

This book brings together the nation's top sociological researchers in an effort to catalogue the modern catastrophe that is Katrina. Included are discussions of sociological perspectives of disaster literature, alternative views and analyses of early post-storm data collection efforts, and emerging social questions that have surfaced in the aftermath of Katrina. All royalties from the sale of this book go to the Disaster Relief Fund of the Southern Sociological Society. (November 2007 Natural Hazards Observer )

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck at the core of American society. The Sociology of Katrina is a an equally penetrating portrayal of its totalizing effects on people, places, and politics. (Kroll-Smith, Steve )

About the Author

David L. Brunsma is associate professor of sociology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was the program chair and organizer for the 2006 Annual Meetings of the Southern Sociological Society held in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina. David Overfelt is a graduate of sociology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a member of Sociologists Without Borders and focuses on the merging of academia and activism in his work as as a radical public sociologist. J. Steven Picou is professor of sociology and chair in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. He has published numerous articles on environmental sociology, disasters, the sociology of risks, and applied sociology, and is undertaking several projects on the health risks associated with the long-term industrial and social impacts of Hurricane Katrina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; 1 edition (August 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742559300
• ISBN-13: 978-0742559301
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Atmospheric Sciences

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars race and class perspectives, October 3, 2007

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Sociology of Katrina: Perspectives on a Modern Catastrophe (Paperback)

Already, the first academic books on Hurricane Katrina have come out. This amongst them. It looks at New Orleans before and after. Studying, for example, how race, class and capital have affected survivors afterwards. Unsurprisingly, those from a well to do background recovered quickly. The capital that is studied is not just money. Social capital is considered. Where this means an individual's social network. Alas, some people's networks simply were inadequate to afford them much help.

Race and class are also shown to affect how a person viewed the aftermath, both in terms of the government's response and the broader social response. Historically disadvantaged groups saw prejudice, and indeed it is hard to avoid that they may have been correct.

There is not a strong conclusion to the book. Inasmuch as the reconstruction is still ongoing.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Katrina Impacts, January 27, 2008

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B. Forster (Elmhurst, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Sociology of Katrina: Perspectives on a Modern Catastrophe (Paperback)

A very good collection of articles covering a variety of issues about Katrina and its aftermath for New Orleans. The first chapter is especially helpful in addressing the differential impacts and responses.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative, Well written, January 21, 2008

By 

John Barnshaw - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Sociology of Katrina: Perspectives on a Modern Catastrophe (Paperback)

This is one of the best books written on the subject, by many of whom were there.