Disasters, Risks and Revelation

'A book that drills to the heart of one of the characteristic, but unremarked features of present times: disaster glut. In a richly documented, eminently readable text, Matthewman explodes the twin mystique that disasters are either natural or random events [ ] This is Sociology as it should be: a book that shows how, and why, we are brain-blind about the operation of power and influence in framing our comprehension of the real world [ ] a book to admire and relish by anyone interested in understanding the way we live now.'- Chris Rojek, City University London, UK 'A great read, sharp and entertaining, with an expanded view of disasters. Vivid accounts of familiar and unfamiliar ones are used to open up new theoretical approaches in an under-theorized field. The inclusion of neglected slow, hidden disasters strengthens the emergence of the "new-normal" view and its global significance.'- Charles Perrow, Yale University, US "To those sociologists who have not yet engaged with the issue of disaster you could start nowhere better than with this text." (Sarah Bradshaw, Middlesex University London, UK)

Disasters are part of the modern condition, a source of physical anxiety and existential angst, and they are increasing in frequency, cost and severity. Drawing on both disaster research and social theory, this book offers a critical examination of their causes, consequences and future avoidance.Disasters are part of the modern condition, a source of physical anxiety and existential angst, and they are increasing in frequency, cost and severity. Drawing on both disaster research and social theory, this book offers a critical examination of their causes, consequences and future avoidance.