Customer Reviews

The Sociology of Katrina: Perspectives on a Modern Catastrophe

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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.

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.

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