About the Author

James F. Miskel is a consultant for the defense consulting firm Alidade Inc. Until 2005 he served for 12 years as Professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval War College, where he still teaches online courses in the graduate degree program. During the Reagan and (first) Bush Administrations he served on the National Security Council.

Reviews

"Miskel provides the reader with a complete and nuanced understanding of (a) the vast logistic and coordinative effort that goes into helping American citizens in an assortment of emergencies, and (b) the nature and characteristics of certain types of disasters that may speak to disaster response breakdowns." - Kurt H. Braddock, Terrorism and Political Violence "Miskel has produced an essential, topical, informative, concise, highly readable work that masterfully conveys in eight tightly reasoned chapters policy, political, historical, and sociological facts about disaster response in this era of homeland security. His treatise reflects his considerable academic expertise, his objectivity, and his insider experience. He has managed to lucidly explain the co-evolution of disaster management and terrorism policy in a way that a broad cross section of readers will appreciate." - Richard Sylves, University of Delaware "Jim Miskel has provided an excellent historical summary of natural disasters and the associated FEMA response. His provocative insights into the basic design of the response system should facilitate decision makers' understanding of the politics of disaster preparedness, its ultimate placement and inherent responsibilities, and the critical importance of the appointment of competent personnel." - Julius W. Becton Jr, Lt. Gen., USA-Ret. & 3rd Director, FEMA "Miskel, a former Deputy Assistant Associate Director of FEMA, examines the effects that operational failures after Hurricaines Agnes, Hugo, Andrews, and Katrina have had on the organizational design and operating principles of the disaster response system program. He also discusses the impact of 9/11 and the evolving role of the military, and he identifies reforms that should be implemented to improve the nation's ability to respond in the future." - Natual Hazards Observer