Emergency management is an essential aspect of environmental stewardship. Its essence is distilled from complex interrelationships which link social, psychological, physical, biological, and poli tical sciences. Because there is seldom an opportunity to illustrate, much less teach, those complexi ties wi thin an integrated curriculum, this volume deserves a warm welcome because it helps do that. Dr. Drabek began his study of emergency management more than a quarter century ago in 1963, and his dedication to the field has led to this monograph. He now is entering an international arena; his...

This series is dedicated to serving the growing community of scholars and practitioners concerned with the principles and applications of environ- mental management. Each volume is a thorough treatment of a specific topic of importance for proper management practices. A fundamental ob- jective of these books is to help the reader discern and implement man's stewardship of our environment and the world's renewable resources. For we must strive to understand the relationship between man and nature, act to bring harmony to it, and nurture an environment that is both stable and productive. These...