Act Of God

This title examines traditional insurance risks such as earthquakes, storms, terrorist attacks, and other disasters. It begins with a discussion of how the risk of such 'acts of God and men' impact on our lives, health, and possessions. It then proceeds to introduce the statistical techniques necessary for analysing these uncertainties. The book guides readers through the methods available for identifying and measuring such risks, financing their consequences, and forecasting their future behaviour (within the limits of science).

It’s the summer of 2015, Brooklyn, and the city is sweltering from another record-breaking heat wave, this one accompanied by biblical rains. Edith, a recently retired legal librarian, and her identical twin sister, Kat, have discovered something ominous in their hall closet: it’s shaped like a mushroom, it’s phosphorescent, and it’s rapidly consuming their wall. But that’s only the beginning … Part suspense, part screwball comedy, Jill Ciment’s brilliant novel looks at what happens when our lives—so seemingly set and ordered—break down in the wake of calamity.

This new edition of Arnold Rhodes's The Mighty Acts of God is an essential tool for learning more about the Bible. The original volume, which has been well-loved as a guide for Bible study, has been carefully revised by W. Eugene March to incorporate the most up-to-date historical and theological research. From the beginnings of creation to final consummation and hope, readers will find the same easily readable quality as in the first edition along with helpful questions for either group or individual study.

This revised edition features a new chapter analyzing the failed response to Hurricane Katrina. Steinberg argues that it is wrong to see natural disasters as random outbursts of nature or expressions of divine judgment. He reveals how business and government decisions have paved the way for the greater losses of life and property.

Originally published in 1984 Natural Disasters shows how misleading the term “natural disaster” can be. Forces of nature such as earthquakes, cyclones and extreme variations in weather can trigger disasters, but in many Third World countries it is environmental degradation, poverty and rapid population growth which turn a natural hazard into major disaster. This book questions whether the rich nations’ usual response to disaster – fast, short-lived emergency assistance – is any longer adequate. Today, most major disasters are “development” gone wrong, development which puts millions of poor people on the margins of existence. Disaster relief alone is like bandaging a rapidly growing wound. The appropriate response must include an element of true development – development which reduces rather than increases vulnerability to disasters.

This extraordinary book reveals a historical mystery which overturns Ancient Egyptian chronology and uncovers what may be the real explanation of the Atlantis myth.

Reinsurance is a market that provides cover for the devastating consequences of unpredictable events such as Hurricane Katrina, or the Tohoku earthquake, underpinning society's capacity to rebuild after the unthinkable happens. This book fleshes out how this important and quirky financial market works.

A sequel to Backfire, this collection of short stories attempts to link together the work of different generations and includes some of the best stories from a short story competition introducing a generation of fresh titles. It is suitable for both teachers and students alike.