Book Description
Why do we remain unprepared for the next terrorist attack or natural disaster?
Where are we most vulnerable?
How have we allowed our government to be so negligent?
Who will keep you and your family safe?
Is America living on borrowed time?
How can we become a more resilient nation?
Americans are in denial when it comes to facing up to how vulnerable our nation is to disaster, be it terrorist attack or act of God. We have learned little from the cataclysms of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. When it comes to catastrophe, America is living on borrowed time–and squandering it. In this new book, leading security expert Stephen Flynn issues a call to action, demanding that we wake up and prepare immediately for a safer future.
The truth is acts of terror cannot always be prevented, and nature continues to show its fury in frighteningly unpredictable ways. Resiliency, argues Flynn, must now become our national motto. With chilling frankness and clarity, Flynn paints an all too real scenario of the threats we face within our own borders. A terrorist attack on a tanker carrying liquefied natural gas into Boston Harbor could kill thousands and leave millions more of New Englanders without power or heat. The destruction of a ship with a cargo of oil in Long Beach, California, could bring the West Coast economy to its knees and endanger the surrounding population. But even these all-too-plausible terrorist scenarios pale in comparison to the potential destruction wrought by a major earthquake or hurricane.
Our growing exposure to man-made and natural perils is largely rooted in our own negligence, as we take for granted the infrastructure handed down to us by earlier generations. Once the envy of the world, this infrastructure is now crumbling. After decades of neglect, our public health system leaves us at the mercy of microbes that could kill millions in the next flu pandemic. Flash flooding could wipe out a fifty-year-old dam north of Phoenix, placing thousands of homes and lives at risk. The next San Francisco earthquake could destroy century-old levees, contaminating the freshwater supply that most of California relies on for survival.
It doesn’t have to be this way. The Edge of Disaster tells us what we can do about it, as individuals and as a society. We can–and, Flynn argues, we must–construct a more resilient nation. With the wounds of recent national tragedies still unhealed, the time to act is now.
Flynn argues that by tackling head-on, eyes open the perils that lie before us, we can remain true to our most important and endearing national trait: our sense of optimism about the future and our conviction that we can change it for the better for ourselves–and our children.
“Steve Flynn offers the answer not only to protecting America from terrorist attacks and natural disaster but also to revitalizing our democracy. This book is a must-read for all members of Congress, 2008 presidential candidates, and ordinary citizens who want to build a better and safer future.”
–Anne-Marie Slaughter, dean, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University
Advance praise for The Edge of Disaster
“Steve Flynn has done it again. Like America the Vulnerable before it, The Edge of Disaster is the must-read book for every American, elected official, and presidential candidate who is committed to ensuring that our nation continue to thrive in perilous times.”
–Mark Warner, former governor of Virginia
“Since 9/11, protecting our nation against a terrorist attack has consumed policy makers in Washington. What Stephen Flynn points out in The Edge of Disaster is that much of this effort has been directed overseas, often at the expense of our homeland and its much more likely areas of vulnerability. Laying out a series of potential disasters both manmade and natural, Flynn calls for a greater emphasis on preparedness and the ability of communities and the nation to recover. Painting an often frustrating and infuriating picture of missed opportunities, The Edge of Disaster is a call to action. The time to act is now. We can only hope that policy makers are listening.”
–Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey and
former administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (2001-03)
“Steve Flynn’s book makes the very persuasive argument that national security preparedness is linked to natural disaster preparedness. By investing significantly in our critical infrastructure, in citizen preparedness, and most importantly in leadership, we can be better prepared for all hazards. A great book that I highly recommend.”
–James Lee Witt, former director, Federal Emergency Management Agency
“Steve Flynn has become a relentless contributor to the dialogue on prioritizing the work of the post-9/11 security environment. The Edge of Disaster calls into question the neglect of domestic preparedness in favor of the Department of Defense-driven offensive in the global war on terrorism. The book offers provocative challenges to both our elected and our private-sector leaders, and both should read it thoroughly.”
–Admiral James M. Loy, former commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, and former deputy secretary of homeland security
Customer Reviews:
Good information.......2007-08-10
This book provides good information about making our country more prepared for natural or man-made disasters by using an all hazards approach. Some of the presented ideas are great others are very opinionated. You can tell the author is pro Coast Guard since he recommends they be in charge of everything, just a bit biased, but a good book overall.
An Eye-Opener.......2007-07-27
I thought this book was a great read for many reasons. First off, the author gives a few hypothetical cases of another terrorist attack on American soil. He does this not to incite fear, but just to prove how vulnerable our infrastructures are (waterways, ports, canals, oil refineries, etc). He mentions how old and antiquated they are and how the government is not pumping enough money to fix or upgrade those resources. Secondly, he gives several examples of how this can change and why it needs to be done. Lastly, (but not in this order) he also ties this in with our vulnerablity to natural disasters. "The Edge of Disaster" is a disaster that can be both man-made or natural. If you want to read about things that are not being discussed in the media that are very critical to the foundation of this country, then this is a must read!!
Challenges our myths and assumptions........2007-07-21
I found this book to be right on target - Bulls-Eye. Flynn points out all the pitfalls in the current mode of planning responses to disasters and terrorist attacks on the part of government, congress and others. He calls attention to the complacency of the American Public, partly lulled by a secretive government failing to share how it addresses the issues of disaster planning and repairing and maintaining American infrastructure to withstand both natural disasters and terrorism.
He rightly points out that NO effort has been made to involve and rally the American Citizenry to respond to disasters or fight terrorism (Where is the war bond drive to fight the global war on terrorism?) Nor have efforts been made to invoLVe the private sector (except recently, the state of Texas in its Hurricane Evacuation planning will involve energy companies, Walmart, Home Depot and the HEB groceries to assure people's needs are met quickly when the next hurricane comes).
In short, we as Americans, according to Flynn seem to be living in a world of make-believe fog. It reminds him of the last days of the Roman empire.
He did not mention, that since 9/11 while the US is pre-occuppied with a war on terror, the economies of India and CHina have taken off. In fact, the "smart money" is investing in Brazil, Russia, India and China, not the US. Perhaps our weak infrstructure has a role to play.
What are the solutions? I have cut and pasted them from another review as a reminder of how urgent the need is to address this issue:
1) Force Washington to build national resiliency at home
2) Put terrorism in the context of the other threats (see Wikipedia, "Ten Threats")
3) Fix the infrastructure now
4) Inform the American people, they are our greatest asset
5) Tap the ingenuity and resources of the private sector
6) Do not underestimate the value of individual preparedness
7) Do not allow government to pretend the pandemic will not happen
8) Discourage construction along vulnerable coastlines and in flood plains
9) Properly fund and support local police and emergency responders
10) Promote the concept of resiliency as a global imperative.
Buy this book. In fact, buy extra copies for those you love and cherish.
Natural Disasters or Terrorists: the Greater Threat? .......2007-05-30
Stephen Flynn travels a lot --- and everywhere he goes he finds crumbling bridges, inadequate highway systems, overtaxed hospitals, parochial politicians, obsolete communications gear, neglected or nonexistent planning, and a citizenry that does not seem to give a damn about any of these things. This book --- his second on the subject --- is his strident wake-up call, a plea that something be done before the inevitable disaster strikes.
His case rests on two major premises: that more 9/11s and Katrinas are a certainty, and that of the two, future Katrinas are the more to be feared because they will be more frequent and will impact more people directly. Our present political and popular fixation on terrorism alone he finds shortsighted and foolish. He calls for measures to deal with both at the same time.
Flynn's method is to construct hypothetical scenarios --- a terrorist attack on a ship carrying liquefied natural gas in Boston Harbor, a catastrophic earthquake that devastates north-central California --- and then to demonstrate the inadequacy of existing means to either prevent the event or minimize the damage they cause. His scenarios are generally based on authoritative sources as well as his own observations. In every case his conclusions are dismal: inability to respond quickly and efficiently, widespread panic, enormous casualties, government ineptitude. Yet the general public, he says, lives in an "almost adolescent sense of denial," preferring to just keep fingers crossed and hope that such things will not happen, or if they do happen, it will be somewhere else.
Flynn tries gamely to be nonpolitical about all this, but his indictment of the Bush administration and the small-government fetish of many politicians is plain. He deplores the Iraq War as a diversion of funds and resources from the place where real threats are much more evident --- here at home.
Some of his strictures are hardly new (e.g., the governmental passion for secrecy that keeps bureaucrats from sharing vital information, the inability of "first responders" and "first preventers" to communicate with each other, the absence of true collaboration between public and private agencies at times of crisis, the unfortunate preference for pork-barrel politics over meeting really urgent needs). But he goes well beyond these obvious truths, condemning public indifference or even ignorance of what needs to be done urgently. Our nation is "brittle," he says, and needs to be made more "resilient" before it is too late. Flynn obviously sees himself as Paul Revere on a coast to coast midnight ride.
There is a strain of special pleading in the book. Flynn, himself a long-serving officer in the Coast Guard, tells again the familiar story of how well that agency performed in New Orleans in 2005 --- then goes on to propose that it be given the leading role in domestic disaster response, with FEMA demoted to secondary status. It may well be a good idea, but Flynn is not exactly an impartial judge.
The obvious question here is: If all this work needs to be done pronto, how are we to pay for it? Flynn proposes a new agency, the "Infrastructure Resiliency Commission," insulated from pork-barrel political pressure. He would pay the enormous cost of quickly making us into a "resilient" nation with money from five sources: funds from the estate tax that the administration wants to end altogether, repeal of the tax cuts enacted under Bush, a dollar-a-gallon gasoline tax, funds from the defense budget and from state and city governments. One can virtually hear the howls of protest from motorists, conservative politicians, the Pentagon and local officials. Were I a betting man, I would not bet on this one.
Nonetheless, this is an important and often eloquent book. One hopes that Flynn/Paul Revere will be heeded, and that he is not like poor Cassandra, who was given the gift of prophecy, but along with it the curse that no one would believe anything she said.
--- Reviewed by Robert Finn
Good informative & eye opening.......2007-05-12
Good book, Flynn writes at a level anyone can understand. He makes the urgency clear that changes must be made in order to secure our nation.
Average customer rating:
- Classic.
- Worthwhile Strategy
- Good advice
- A study of conflict
- GREAT 17th CENTURAY SAMURAI SWORDSMAN'S ADVICE ON STRATEGY
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Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
Miyamoto Musashi
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The Art of War (Shambhala Classics)
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The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master
ASIN: 0517415283
Release Date: 1988-05-28 |
Amazon.com
To learn a Japanese martial art is to learn Zen, and although you can't do so simply by reading a book, it sure does help--especially if that book is The Book of Five Rings. One of Japan's great samurai sword masters penned in decisive, unfaltering terms this certain path to victory, and like Sun Tzu's The Art of War it is applicable not only on the battlefield but also in all forms of competition. Always observant, creating confusion, striking at vulnerabilities--these are some of the basic principles. Going deeper, we find suki, the interval of vulnerability, of indecisiveness, of rest, the briefest but most vital moment to strike. In succinct detail, Miyamoto records ideal postures, blows, and psychological tactics to put the enemy off guard and open the way for attack. Most important of all is Miyamoto's concept of rhythm, how all things are in harmony, and that by working with the rhythm of a situation we can turn it to our advantage with little effort. But like Zen, this requires one task above all else, putting the book down and going out to practice. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
Translated by V. Harris. Japan's answer to the Harvard MBA...Written over three centuries ago by a Samurai warrior, the book has been hailed as a limitless source of psychological insight for businessmen-or anyone who relies on strategy and tactics for outwitting the competition.
Customer Reviews:
Classic........2007-06-18
This book is only a translation of the original. You may not find the extensive commentary you seek. While written centuries ago, Miyamoto Musashi, in my judgment, didn't write a book just about how to fight.
Reading this book with an open mind will surprise the reader. Deep thought and reflection will be needed. The areas to which the principles in this book may be applied (such as lessons in leadership and politics) and the success in said application are only limited to the amount of imagination and study put forth by the reader.
It offers a great deal of knowledge for every day life, and even if you never pick up a sword, or raise your fists, you will find his philosophy extends well beyond the realm of martial arts and battle strategy.
To some readers you will not be able to fully grasp all of the concepts and ideas presented after one reading. This book is invaluable and definitely invites repeated readings as new insight is to be found as your understanding deepens. I'm not sure if a single review could do this book justice because each time you re-read this book your thoughts are guaranteed to be provoked and you will definitely walk away each time with a new form of enlightenment and that is my reason for giving it Five stars *****.
Worthwhile Strategy.......2007-06-10
This is powerful book to read and UTILIZE in your life. While it can easily be taken for face value as a book on physical fighting strategy, it is more than that. One can take many of the thoughts and translate them to a more theoretical use on strategy. For example, a quote speaking of "the gaze" relating to seeing an enemy and their movements: "It is important in strategy to know the enemy's sword and not to be distracted by insignificant movements of his sword". This could easily be translated to business, sports, etc. Just substitute "sword" for the essence of the thought to apply to "business", "army", "team", etc.
The first 3rd of the book is a historical account of events of Musashi's life, and also includes many images of artwork created by Musashi. They are black and white however. The rest of the book is the actual "Book of Five Rings". It consists of 5 "books": ground, water, fire, wind and the void. It is to be noted Musashi after a time found he did not need to follow any particular "Way" and practiced many.
Regarding the layout of the book, I like the footnotes at the bottom of many of the pages which help describe words or thoughts you may not have easily or readily known otherwise.
---*** THE BOTTOM LINE ***---
A good book to have, with worthwhile strategy, although, regarding strategy I prefer Sun Tzu's "Art of War".
Good advice.......2007-01-09
The only good advice I ever got from a book came from this one: "Do nothing which is of no use" (p. 49). The Book of Five Rings has a lot of good advice, but that's the one that speaks most clearly to my condition. The Book of Five Rings must be read as metaphor, because life conditions today are so different from those of medieval Japan. But Mushashi was a wise and powerful thinker, and his ideas apply well beyond battle strategy. He lived integrity: unity and purity of thought, word, and deed, and his rare qualities are always worth studying and emulating.
A study of conflict.......2006-08-14
This book is great for anyone interested in personal development. It is a guide in focused self-discipline. It is also a guide to successful navigation of conflict.
This translation is the best I've read. It is free of superfluous footnotes and pedantic commentary. The commentary that is included before each chapter is brief and helpful.
GREAT 17th CENTURAY SAMURAI SWORDSMAN'S ADVICE ON STRATEGY.......2006-07-22
Based on my readings, Musashi's motive in writing his Book of Five Rings had been to correct misrepresentations of his views on swordsmanship by his contemporaries. Having become a legend in his own time, Musashi's reputation was being exploited by ambitious rivals claiming to have adopted the master's martial techniques and philosophies. Thus Book of Five Rings was intended by its author to establish his point of view for correcting misconceptions.
Those in America who've been advocating since 1974 to study Book of Five Rings to gain some business advantage over Japanese businessmen are barking up the wrong tree. Musashi's writings are poetic and thought provoking. Indeed, one can even learn something new and ancient about strategy from the master. It is, however, doubtful that Musashi's words can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. So then those in the 1970s who had originally marketed the book as "the alternative to the Harvard MBA" were barking up the wrong tree.
In addition to the charming and useful writings, the original (1974 English translation) Book of Five Rings includes photos of the master swordsman's quite beautiful art work, now residing in Japan in a museum dedicated to Musashi works.
Book Description
INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY was the first book to provide practitioners, educators, and students with a comprehensive account of the original and ongoing developments in the Department of Homeland Securitys reorganization, as well as the practices, policies and programs enacted in relation to the government restructure. The new edition continues to prove the standard in providing the latest information on the developments in national security in the context of DHS.
Continuing in the tradition of the first edition, the book recounts US Government and private sector actions taken since 9/11 in the areas of legislation, government organization, communications, technology, and emergency management practices. It is packed with reference sections, notations directing the reader to relevant publications and websites, and contributions from media reports or experts. Case studies provide insightful guidance for security managers having to deal effectively with similar situations.
· Case Studies included in the book relate the book's topics to real events
· Only Homeland Security title to include an Instructor's Manual with Test Bank to support Academic curricula
· Includes an up-to-date, complete and comprehensive contact list of Federal and State government homeland security offices and officials
· Full color photographs and illustrations throughout
Customer Reviews:
Useful introduction to the many facets of homeland security.......2007-05-15
This is one of the first generation texts on homeland security. As such, it has a somewhat ad hoc feel to it, as though these (and other) authors are feeling out just what a text on homeland security is all about. The purpose of the book is described on page xiv: "The intent of this book is to provide a primer on homeland security for emergency managers, students of emergency management, and for the countless public and private sector individuals who find themselves suddenly thrust into the ever-expanding domain of homeland security."
The scope of the book is wide, as it covers a lot of territory. One necessary consequence of this is that coverage of individual topics can be a bit thin. On the other hand, the breadth of coverage is itself a virtue. One must trade off a bit of depth for breadth.
The book begins with a discussion of an historic overview of terrorist threats. As such, it does "set the table" for the rest of the book. However, there is actually very little on terrorists, their tactics, etc. Thus, the chapter seems to be written in something of a contextual vacuum. At some point in the volume, there should probably be a chapter on what we know about terrorists.
The book also explores the statutory and organizational infrastructure for homeland security. The resulting chapters are serviceable. Chapters proceed with coverage of safety and security; mitigation, prevention, and preparedness; response and recovery; communications; technology. The final chapter is forward looking, exploring the future of homeland security; it also considers the lessons learned from the reorganization of FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security.
Thus, while there is a "generic" sense to this book, it covers a great deal of territory and provides a broad-based introduction to the subject of homeland security. As such, a useful volume.
Good Start.......2006-06-16
I am a former Army intelligence officer and I think that this was a good first cut at the topic. I was enrolled in a Homeland Security class that used this text. We studied the system and response of DHS and then the following week Katrina hit followed by Rita. What should have happened and what actually happened leave much to be fixed. The description of terrorism was so lacking that the instructor allowed me to teach the class. The information on chemical and biological agents looked like it came out of a Hazmat class manual. To be a better book it needs to be updated and revised. FEMA has free online classes which the authors should consider in their update. This book was great as no other book attempted to put together the area of homeland security under the new DHS.
Professor.......2006-02-18
This is an excellent book talking about the policies, organization, and functions of the Department of Homeland Security. The author's provide an historical overview of the terrorist threat which is concise and highlights the September 11 timeline. The life cycle of emergency managment is presented by introducing several case studies which provide incite into failures of preparedness and response to terrorist incidents worldwide. The importance of communications and technology is discussed to help prevent and deter terrorism in security organizations. It is a book that everyone in security management should read.
The dynamic that is Homeland Security.......2005-10-24
Introduction to Homeland Security provides a comprehensive view of the dynamics of homeland security in the United States from the view of experienced emergency management facilitators. This is accomplished by providing a historical overview of the terrorist threat which culminates with the September 11th terrorist attacks and thereafter the various legislative, executive orders and organizational actions which lead to the largest re-organization of the federal government in recent history which results in the formation and creation of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). An in-depth discussion and view of the pre-Katrina DHS are provided with applicable questions regarding the functionality and capabilities of this new department. Homeland security hazards are discussed with emphasis also placed on the safety and security of various aspects of the infrastructure of our society. The text also discusses the addition of prevention to the comprehensive emergency management life cycle of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The book concludes with a discussion of the importance of effective communications with special emphasis placed on risk communications; the various types of technology being employed and various technology players and their activities; and, provides a discussion of the future of homeland security.
This book is especially beneficial in pointing out, through probing questions, that the federal government and bureaucracy thereof, both legislative and executive, cannot remember and/or don't listen to the lessons learned of the past, which ensures that we will be repeating them again, to the suffering and detriment of our citizens. The authors of this text were already asking questions regarding the security of our homeland in all regards, to which the answers have been so effectively pointed out through the Hurricane Katrina response and recovery failures of the DHS. For an understanding of the dynamic that is homeland security, and the core answer to what must be done to secure our homeland this book is a must read.
Book Description
". . . a comprehensive account of the battle to make the GNA a reality. Skillfully bringing to life not only the players but also the issues, Mr. Locher, who was a prime mover in framing the legislation that resulted in Goldwater-Nichols, has written the definitive history of the Act."--Washington Times
". . . a monumental Washington battle in prose that is both exciting for experts and informative for novices . . . offers a unique historical lesson in rational decision making and civilian control of the military, and reminds us that the United States never pauses on the path to perfection."--William S. Cohen, former Secretary of Defense
"A definitive case study of the most important and successful American defense legislation of the twentieth century. Victory on the Potomac is probably the best informed book we are ever going to get on this critical chapter in the history of U.S. military policy. As such, it is must reading for military professionals and civilian defense policy experts alike."--Air and Space Power Journal
". . . a tale of the careful preparation and tenacity required to overturn an entrenched bureaucratic position . . . lays out the manner in which a handful of senior officers, vigorously supported by farsighted members of Congress, managed to overcome bitter institutional resistance to pass the Goldwater-Nichols Act--which embodied a veritable organizational revelation."--James R. Schlesinger, former Secretary of Defense
". . . provides a superb insight into how the system works in the marble, stone, and cement battlefields of Washington. For anyone interested in Congress, the Department of Defense, or the White House, this book provides a unique view into details not revealed in textbooks or biographies."--Proceedings
Customer Reviews:
Required reading, but with a big caveat.......2006-03-18
My rating is in the middle because the book should be required reading for anyone who wants to know how Goldwater-Nichols came about, however, at the same time, it is extremely biased in its delivery, analysis and conclusions. The author was appointed by Senators Nunn (D) and Goldwater (R) to be the senior reorganization staffer who, "led the team that helped congress 'get smart' on this complex but critically important subject." Because of Locher's involvement from the Act's beginning through to its approval, which gives him unique insight, he has a vested interest in presenting his justifications for the Act in a positive light. This is best seen in his portrayals of the principals involved; those who supported reform are heroes who were not afraid to stand up to the establishment and the institutionalized bureaucracy. Those who opposed Goldwater-Nichols were more interested in their own power and often presented emotional rather than factual or issues based arguments.
Unfortunately, the book was published in 2002, which means the work was done before the US invasion of Iraq in 2003; it would be interesting to see his analysis of the relationship between the SECDEF and the JCS now.
Bottom line: if you're interested in how Goldwater-Nichols evolved, buy the book; I did, and I have no regrets. But read it with a (big) grain of salt.
Gripping and Insightful, "Victory" for Studying Policymaking.......2003-01-13
This is quite easily one of the best books I've ever read on the creation of public policy. Locher paints a full and colorful picture of the military reform efforts culminating in the Goldwater-Nichols Act. I never realized what a role the Beirut/Lebanon operations played in creating an atmosphere in which military reform began to be viewed as necessary, and I found both the strategy and actions used to push the legislation through the Senate Armed Services Committee in 1985-86 particularly fascinating. With regards to balancing personal insights and meticulous research, in my opinion "Victory on the Potomac" is unequalled, and I consider it one of the top prizes in my personal library. If your interests include public policy, successful reform attempts or the organization of the U.S. military, you will find this book to be an entertaining and informative treasure.
Powerful study of Congress and the Pentagon.......2002-08-03
Jim Locher tells the fascinating story of how Congress forced the Pentagon to undergo major reform in the mid-1980s. Locher, who was a major participant in the process, tells the inside story of the Goldwater-Nichols reforms and really takes the gloves off. Locher is a careful researcher and skillful writer who demonstrates vividly the courage of Senators Barry Goldwater and Sam Nunn, Congressman Bill Nichols, Admiral Bill Crowe and others. Locher highlights both the brilliance and the manipulative skills of Secretary of the Navy John Lehman in the debates and interactions between the Congress and the Pentagon. . My only criticism is that Locher is a bit too critical of Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger who did so much to build up the military during the early 1980s. Must reading for all who will work with or within the Pentagon or the Congress in the years ahead
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- Biological Weapons Defense
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Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Disease and Counterbioterrorism (Infectious Disease)
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ASIN: 1588291847 |
Book Description
Prominent experts in biodefense research-many from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases-authoritatively delineate the universe of scientific, medical, and legal issues facing the biodefense research community. Regarding medical countermeasures and decontamination, the authors describe the treatment and pathogenesis of a variety of established pathogens (anthrax, plague, smallpox, Brucellosis, Glanders, and Coxiella burnettii) and review what is known about the aerosol route of infection and decontamination processes. They also examine how to discover the presence of these agents, or other previously unknown biological weapons, and detail the ongoing efforts to counter these agents, including proteomic and genomic analysis as a gateway to better diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccinations, genotyping, and forensics. Additional chapters discuss the development and use technology to identify and characterize these infectious organisms, emerging threats, and the development of countermeasures.
Customer Reviews:
Biological Weapons Defense.......2006-07-12
This is a great book. The only thing I don't like is that The chapters are only numbered at the beginning of each chapter. If you just open the book randomly, you don't know what chapter you are reading.
Book Description
More than $3 billion is spent annually on homeland security. New threats and vulnerabilities are identified on virtually a daily basis. The McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Handbook provides first responders, security professionals, and students with a fundamental and definitive overview of critical homeland security issues. This first all-in-one reference features review and assessment of myriad homeland security risks, along with insights, strategies, and practical advice for working successfully in the new threat environment. A team of more than 70 experts supplies chapters covering terrorist tactics, intra-government coordination of information, behavioral pattern recognition, aviation and maritime passenger and cargo security, new rules for securing cyberspace, roles of media and private individuals, and more.
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European Security Law
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0199218625 |
Book Description
There have been a number of EU military operations in the last few years, evidence of a growing European military confidence, which in turn is a reflection of a developing competence in security matters. The creation of the European Union and its Common Foreign and Security Policy by the
Maastricht Treaty of 1992 heralded this development, though the idea of a common defense can be traced to the beginnings of European integration. This book provides an analysis of the EU's evolving legal framework and powers on such matters, but it also recognizes that such a framework sits,
sometimes uneasily, within the wider body of EU and International Law. The EU's security and defense policy also overlaps with those of other organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but more especially the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). EU
relations with NATO have, in particular, caused some concern and are still evolving as both organizations seek to play a wider security role in the post-Cold War, and now post-9/11, era. With security now dominating political agendas at the domestic, regional and international levels, it is no
surprise that the EU's concern for security has grown, and, following the Union's respect for the rule of law, has been shaped legally as well as politically. This book evaluates the progress of the Union in this regard in its international context and in its wider context of European integration
generally. The analysis is in the main a legal one, but is placed squarely within wider historical and political perspectives.
Book Description
This text presents the various mathematical methods used in militaryoperations research in one easy-to-use reference volume.
The reader will find the calculations necessary to analyze all aspects of defense operations, from weapon performance to combat modeling. The text is so clearly written and organized that even newcomers to the field will find it useful.
Included with the text is an updated version of Defense Analyses Software, a compendium of software subroutines that allow the reader to compute numerical values for functions or tables derived in the text. Each subroutine is provided with a detailed reference to the equation from which it was derived to ensure that its intended application is consistent with the assumptions used in the derivation. The 2nd Edition included a new chapter on optimization methods with several typical examples showing applications of linear programming. The 3rd Edition has a new chapter on the theater missile defense based on the concept of layered defense with different strategies of allocating defense interceptors against short- or mid-range ballistic missiles.
This text is a highly recommended reference for defense analysts, researchers, and professionals entering the field of military operations research.
Customer Reviews:
Mathematical Methods in Defense Analyses, Third Edition.......2000-06-05
This continues to be a comprehensive text on many useful mathematical and statistical techniques with particular relevance to the modelling of Defence operations. Familiar topics include combat modelling, which is analysed in more depth than in most other books. However, this topic like others in this book, suffers from explanations which are not always to the point or as clear as they could be. This third edition has two new chapters, one on optimisation methods with examples of the application of linear programming The other new chapter presents the sort of `analysis' which has become prevalent in Defence; really more of a scenario exploration, and considers in particular theatre missile defence. Possibly the most valuable addition to this new edition is the updated `Defense Analysis Software', which anyone wishing to seriously use or teach this sort of material to advanced undergraduate or postgraduate students, will find very useful. I would recommend this new edition to all people working with models of Defence activities and as a reasonable text for courses, although the price remains a little high.
Mathematical Methods in Defense Analyses, Third Edition.......2000-06-05
This continues to be a comprehensive text on many useful mathematical and statistical techniques with particular relevance to the modelling of Defence operations. Familiar topics include combat modelling, which is analysed in more depth than in most other books. However, this topic like others in this book, suffers from explanations which are not always to the point or as clear as they could be. This third edition has two new chapters, one on optimisation methods with examples of the application of linear programming The other new chapter presents the sort of `analysis' which has become prevalent in Defence; really more of a scenario exploration, and considers in particular theatre missile defence. Possibly the most valuable addition to this new edition is the updated `Defense Analysis Software', which anyone wishing to seriously use or teach this sort of material to advanced undergraduate or postgraduate students, will find very useful. I would recommend this new edition to all people working with models of Defence activities and as a reasonable text for courses, although the price remains a little high.
Book Description
Describes a user's guide for participants conducting workforce planning.
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Defense Relations between Australia and Indonesia in the Post-Cold War Era: (Contributions in Military Studies)
Bilveer Singh
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0313322260 |
Book Description
Recent years have seen dramatic shifts in the nature of Australian-Indonesian relations, and this in turn has had a great impact on the strategic partnership that had gradually come into existence between the two regional powers. Against the backdrop of rapid strategic, political, economic, social, and technological changes occurring on a global scale, Australian foreign policy efforts at cooperation with its largest and nearest Asian neighbor have changed as well--largely as a result of domestic political considerations. Reaching a high point under Prime Minister Keating, defense relations soured considerably and suddenly after 1999. Singh provides a non-partisan account of the shift from partnership to cold peace and an examination of how it has affected the bilateral, regional, and global security environment. The Indonesian public and political elite have become hostile toward Australia as a result of her perceived role in the birth of an independent East Timor. Indonesians are also increasingly suspicious of Australian intensions toward their own country, with many believing that Canberra would like to repeat its East Timor success in Papua, thereby leading to the disintegration of Indonesia itself. John Howard's pro-Western policies are also viewed as a return to Australian projection of itself as a "Western outpost" on the fringes of Asia. As the strategic cooperation between the two nations has faltered, it has had tremendous implications for the defense and security outlook of both powers. The world cannot afford to ignore this possible threat to regional stability.
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