Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Notable Natural Disasters. Edited by Marlene Bradford and Robert S. Carmichael. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem Press, Inc., 2007. 3 vols. 616 p. $217.00. ISBN 978-1-158765-1.

Students who are looking for the scientific principles and general concerns of natural disasters will find information about 100 memorable disasters in history. The first volume provides explanations in scientific terms of types of disasters including avalanches, epidemics, tornadoes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions among others with a category list and a geographical list. Entries begin with factors involved, the regions affected, a definition, the science, geography, prevention and preparations, rescue and relief efforts, impact, and a historical overview. An inset box provides milestones. Vols. 2 and 3 have chronologically arranged reports of disasters. Each has the date, the place, scientific information such as speed and the result. Black and white line maps show the locations. Black and white photographs illustrate the text. Appendixes include an 18-page glossary, a 23-page timeline beginning with an asteroid impact in Africa 1 billion B.C.E. and ending with a tornado in Florida on Feb. 2, 2007, a 19-page bibliography and a list of organizations, a category list and a geographical list.