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Author:

Kierner, Cynthia A., 1958- author.

Title:

Inventing disaster : the culture of calamity from the Jamestown colony to the Johnstown flood / Cynthia A. Kierner.

Publisher:

The University of North Carolina Press,

Copyright Date:

2019

Description:

xiii, 285 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm

Subject:

Disasters--North Atlantic Region--History--18th century.
Disasters--North Atlantic Region--History--19th century.
Disasters--North Atlantic Region--History--17th century.
Disasters--History.--History.
Disasters--History.--History.
Disasters.
Disasters--Social aspects.
North Atlantic Region.
1600-1899
History.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-273) and index.

Contents:

Devastation without disaster -- Narrating disaster -- Catastrophe in an age of Enlightenment -- Benevolent empire -- Disaster nation -- Exploding steamboats and the culture of calamity.

Summary:

"When hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and other disasters strike, we count our losses, search for causes, commiserate with victims, and initiate relief efforts. Amply illustrated and expansively researched, 'Inventing Disaster' explains the origins and development of this predictable, even ritualized, culture of calamity over three centuries, exploring its roots in the revolutions in science, information, and emotion that were part of the Age of Enlightenment in Europe and America"-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN:

146965251X
9781469652511

OCLC:

(OCoLC)1091845305

LCCN:

2019016542

Locations:

USUX851 -- Iowa State University - Parks Library (Ames)