On Risk and Disaster

"This volume provides important insights from the nation's leading experts on how we, as a community and nation, should be rethinking disaster assessment, prevention, and mitigation. Policymakers, legislators, business leaders, and scholars: this is a must-read."—Jon Huntsman, Jr., Governor of Utah

"An indispensable resource for all who seek to learn from the unprecedented devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. I commend the authors for recording the valuable lessons learned. Their work will assuredly help our communities be better prepared for the next catastrophe."—James Lee Witt, former Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency

"This timely volume contains valuable lessons and insights into the critical areas of disaster prevention, mitigation, recovery, and risk financing. It is an eclectic blend of lessons born of practical experience and academic research that collectively provides valuable insights that policymakers and lawmakers, insurers and academic researchers can draw upon to help guide them through the difficult years that lie ahead."—Robert P. Hartwig, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Insurance Information Institute

"An enormously important volume that comes at just the right time. In the wake of Katrina, new thinking is urgently needed on how to manage catastrophic risk most effectively-especially regarding prevention and recovery. This precious volume offers insights on both fronts, with contributions from many of the nation's leading authorities on risk and disaster. It is a must-read for scholars and policymakers alike."—David A. Moss, Harvard Business School