Disaster Hits Home: New Policy for Urban Housing Recovery

Book Description

Whenever a major earthquake strikes or a hurricane unleashes its fury, the devastating results fill our television screens and newspapers. Mary C. Comerio is interested in what happens in the weeks and months after such disasters, particularly in the recovery of damaged housing.
Through case studies of six recent urban disasters--Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina, Hurricane Andrew in Florida, the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes in California, as well as earthquakes in Mexico City and Kobe, Japan--Comerio demonstrates that several fundamental factors have changed in contemporary urban disasters. The foremost change is in scale, and as more Americans move to the two coasts, future losses will continue to be formidable because of increased development in these high-hazard areas. Moreover, the visibility of disasters in the news media will assure that response efforts remain highly politicized. And finally, the federal government is now expected to be on the scene with personnel, programs, and financial assistance even as private insurance companies are withdrawing disaster coverage from homeowners in earthquake- and hurricane-prone regions.
Demonstrating ways that existing recovery systems are inadequate, Comerio proposes a rethinking of what recovery means, a comprehensive revision of the government's role, and more equitable programs for construction financing. She offers new criteria for a housing recovery policy as well as real financial incentives for preparedness, for limiting damage before disasters occur, and for providing a climate where private insurance can work. Her careful analysis makes this book important reading for policymakers, property owners, and anyone involved in disaster mitigation.

Disaster Hits Home: New Policy for Urban Housing Recovery.(Review) (book reviews): An article from: Journal of the American Planning Association

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Disaster Hits Home: New Policy for Urban Housing Recovery.(Review) (book reviews): An article from: Journal of the American Planning Association
Laurie A. Johnson
Manufacturer: American Planning Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of the American Planning Association, published by American Planning Association on September 22, 1999. The length of the article is 1001 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Disaster Hits Home: New Policy for Urban Housing Recovery.(Review) (book reviews)
Author: Laurie A. Johnson
Publication: Journal of the American Planning Association (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 1999
Publisher: American Planning Association
Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Page: 452

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Superb reproduction of 1797 publication of four sections of Edward Young’s popular poem Night Thoughts, illustrated with 43 designs by William Blake. Images of angels, spirits, poets, sensuous women, Life, Death, Reason and Truth swirl about Young’s text, adding to its meaning and revealing much of Blake’s own vision. Plate-by-plate commentaries by Professors Robert Essick and Jenijoy La Belle. Introduction. Bibliography. 43 illus.

Customer Reviews:

Unjustly forgotten.......2002-02-10

This is the reprint of the edition published in 1797, with engravings of William Blake. The poem itself, enormously popular in the 18th century, is now shrouded in obscurity, and it stays in print only due to Blake's illustrations. But despite of its unpopularity, I found it quite enjoyable. It is best read in one sitting, without interrupting the constant flow of ideas and thoughts. It is a meditation, at once introspective and all-encompassing, a contemplation of Death, Time, Friendship, and Immortality of man. Granted, it does tend to drag on too much in the last chapter, but the first ones are so good they're worthy of being memorized. Blake's engravings, surrounding the text as a frame, capture the essense of the poem and at the same time enhance it, adding to it even more depth. The poem's abstract concepts take shape, making some passages more memorable. (This edition includes a commentary on the pictures' symbolism.) The book is worth getting for the engravings alone; it is a work of art in every sense of the word.

The Complaint, and the Consolation; or, Night Thoughts

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The Complaint, and the Consolation; or, Night Thoughts
Edward Young
Manufacturer: Octavo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Anthologies | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Long after his reputation has faded, Edward Young (1683-1765) lives on in unattributed quotations ("Procrastination is the Thief of Time"). If his name is known today, it is largely because William Blake created a series of engraved images to frame his most famous poem, Night Thoughts, a nocturnal meditation on death and immortality. Blake designed the illustrations on enormous half-sheets of paper with a small block of text. In this abundant space Young's metaphors became literal Blakean forms, echoing illustrations in Blake's America (1793) and Europe (1794). Copies of Night Thoughts were hand-colored in two styles, which scholars have dated to 1797 and 1805. This Octavo Edition reproduces an example of each (one colored by Blake himself), a side-by-side comparison of the engravings, and a searchable transcription. Commentary by Nicolas Barker.

The Complaint and Consolation or Night Thoughts on Life, Death and Immortality. To Which Is Added, the Force of Religion. New Edition (1848)

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The Complaint and Consolation or Night Thoughts on Life, Death and Immortality. To Which Is Added, the Force of Religion. New Edition (1848)

Manufacturer: Phillips & Sampson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLNCEY

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The Complaint and Consolation, Or, Night Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality: to Which is Added, the Force of Religion

Manufacturer: Phillips
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FMP0IU

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Straightforward and clear

A one-time read for beginners

Technical Writing 101: A Real-World Guide to Planning and Writing Technical Documentation, Second Edition

Technical Writing

Practical and Educational

Technical Writing 101: A Real-World Guide to Planning and Writing Technical Documentation, Second Edition
Alan S. Pringle , and Sarah S. O'Keefe
Manufacturer: Scriptorium Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Writing | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books
Technical | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books
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Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications Third Edition

The Elements of Technical Writing (Elements of Series)

Developing Quality Technical Information: A Handbook for Writers and Editors (2nd Edition) (IBM Press Series--Information Management)

Technical Writing for Dummies

The Handbook of Technical Writing, Eighth Edition (Handbook of Technical Writing Practices)

ASIN: 097047332X

Book Description

To succeed in technical writing, you need a lot more than just writing ability. Technical Writing 101 details the skills you need as a technical writer, and it explains how to handle the pressures of tight deadlines and ever-changing product specifications. This valuable reference also describes the entire documentation process—planning, writing, editing, indexing, and production.

This updated second edition features the latest information on single sourcing and a new chapter on how trends in structured authoring and Extensible Markup Language (XML) affect technical writers.

Customer Reviews:

Straightforward and clear.......2007-06-08

I thought this book was exactly what it said it was: a 101-level focus on technical writing. From the skills required by a good writer, to a technical writing process, to the task-oriented focus of user guides, this book covered all the basics, and was even written with a sense of humor. I am purchasing this for my technical publications department, because I think it's good to review the basics as a team, and there are specific topics that are newer to the team, such as how to write for globalization.

A one-time read for beginners.......2007-04-20

This book provides a good overview for those considering a technical writing career. It may also be helpful for engineers and others who work with technical writers or who want basic ideas for preparing documentation. The chatty, breezy writing style makes the book an easy read. But the lack of in-depth information and its focus only on documentation and online help projects limits the book's usefulness as a daily work reference.

Technical Writing 101: A Real-World Guide to Planning and Writing Technical Documentation, Second Edition.......2007-01-29

We received the Manual to help in Associate training. Shipment came in very quickly. We will definitely be ordering from Amazon more in the future, your service has been impeccable!!
Thank you.

Technical Writing.......2006-07-09

This book is very easy to read and understand. I ordered this book as a supplement to my current book used at my school. I would highly recommend this book to other new technical writers.

Practical and Educational.......2004-09-18

As the title mentions, Technical Writing 101, provides real-world planning tips. I found it to be very engaging, informative and very easy to read (finished within 24 hours of receiving it). It also sparked ideas on how I could look at a lot of projects I'm personally working on. The way the book is organized doesn't overload you with "too" much information. It also is very generous in providing other resources for further research and knowledge.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get a good understanding of the technical writing process.

Technical Writing 101 : A Real-World Guide to Planning and Writing Technical Documentation

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Good, real-world advice
Good for beginners
Who are these people called Technical Writers?
Not what I expected
The book's title & focus is clear, concise and unambiguous.

Technical Writing 101 : A Real-World Guide to Planning and Writing Technical Documentation
Alan S. Pringle , and Sarah S. O'Keefe
Manufacturer: Scriptorium Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Guides | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Writing | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0970473303

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Good, real-world advice.......2002-05-23

So many books on "technical writing" discuss project management that just doesn't happen in the real world. Often throughout my 15-year career as a technical communicator, I've encountered individuals with English or Journalism degrees who hadn't the first idea about what technical writing (really) involves. This book provides an excellent, realistic overview of the profession and its (very important) components -- aside from a degree -- and being a writer of sorts (fiction, for example) -- and the kind of aptitude and skill set it takes to do the job right (and love it).

Good for beginners.......2002-01-09

The book is targeted at new technical writers and engineers (SMEs) who want to understand what technical writing is all about. It could also be used for preparing training courses on technical communication.

Neat presentation, large font size and simple language make the book very easy to read. But a few spelling and grammatical errors tend to put you off. More so when it is supposed to be a book on writing! Try spotting these errors when you read the book. It could be good editorial practice. Not that you don't have enough of that already.

True to its title, the book doesn't dwell too much on any of the wide range of topics it covers. But, a few sections stand out. Chapter 3, "Doc plans and outlines," and Chapter 13, "Single sourcing" are well researched and presented. The book also has a long list of references-web sites and mailing lists relevant to our profession.

Even if you don't have time to read the entire book, don't miss the cartoons and illustrations-especially the one on the back cover.

Who are these people called Technical Writers?.......2001-12-05

I had never even heard the term "Technical Writer" until I was hired as one in 1998. Previously I had been working as a software trainer and had become very dissatisfied with off the shelf training materials. Consequently I ended up writing all of my own material, as well as take-home job aids and reference books. These books were very well received and hence a love of writing began.

After leaving the Government and moving to the USA, I no longer wanted to train but I wanted to continue writing since I had enjoyed it so much. I was later hired as a technical writer for a fortune 500 company in Oklahoma. A friend of mine back in Canada wanted to know what I was doing but I didn't know how to explain it in 20,000 words or less. Sarah rescued me by writing this book and I immediately ordered it.

Not only is the material accurate; the book is funny, immensely readable and short enough to be absorbed by a non-techie within a few hours. I sent the book to my friend and she finally understands what I do (or rather USED to do!)

Never, when I wrote "The WordPerfect 5.1 Reference Series" for the Canadian Government did I think I would be launching a satisfying lifetime career. Thank you Sarah and Alex for putting into words the details of what technical communication is all about, and how to go about much of it!

Not what I expected.......2001-09-24

I found this book to be very well written and easy to read. It provided a lot of insight into what you should consider when writing an instructional manual or book.

However, the reason I purchased the book was to study up on technical writing in order to take the Technical Writing Dante test. After I finished reading the book, I looked at the sample questions and found that not one of them had been addressed.

The book's title & focus is clear, concise and unambiguous........2001-06-11

A concise guide for beginning (and experienced) technical writers. After reading this book, I would love to recommend it to anyone who hires, teaches or works with technical writers and associated professions. The book provides an excellent introduction into the world of technical writing and why its more than just writing. Editing, graphics, indexing, usability, project management and organizational skills, presentation and interviewing skills are just some of the skills needed as a technical writer and are these are well covered in this book. Especially noteworthy is the chapter on localization (L10N) and internationalization (I18N).

The only drawbacks to the book is its reliance on using examples from software documentation and use of Adobe FrameMaker. I would have to disagree with the authors statement that technical writing for software accounts for 85% of all technical writing. Although it is surely more than 50%, no references are made to technical writing in fields such as manufacturing, machinery operation and maintenance, tools, appliances.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Technical Communication, published by Society for Technical Communication on May 1, 2002. The length of the article is 946 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Technical writing 101: a real-world guide to planning and writing documentation. (Book Reviews).
Author: Garret H. Romaine
Publication: Technical Communication (Refereed)
Date: May 1, 2002
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Volume: 49 Issue: 2 Page: 247(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Customer Reviews:

Rip Off.......2007-10-05

I misread what I was going to receive. $6.+ for a one page document that by itself wasn't worth it. Save your money.

Book Description

Exploring recent changes in employment practices in seven industrialized countries (Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, and the United States) and in two essential industries (automobile and telecommunications), Harry C. Katz and Owen Darbishire find that traditional national systems of employment are being challenged by four cross-national patterns. The patterns, which are becoming ever more prevalent, can be categorized as low-wage, human resource management, Japanese-oriented, and joint team-based strategies.

The authors go on to show that these changing employment patterns are closely related to the decline of unions and growing income inequality. Drawing upon plant-level evidence on emerging employment practices, they provide a comprehensive analysis of changes in employment systems and labor-management relations. They conclude that while the variation in employment patterns is increasing within countries, evidence suggests that there is much commonality across countries in the nature of that variation and also similarity in the processes through which variation is appearing. Hence the term "converging divergences."

Customer Reviews:

An interesting read indeed.......2000-03-29

Katz and Darbishire have concocted a classic piece in the ever growing volume of literature on industrial relations. The depth of their research is unprecedented and their sharply analysed conclusions are interesting in the least. Moreover, the book is well written and the line of argumentation is nicely combined with a variety of practical examples, which makes the text compulsively readable overall. Human resource manager, but also general management, from across industries can draw from the various employment patterns and learn tremendously as to how to provide a motivating work environment, a challenge ever more prevalent in these days of hypercompetition for talented people. The book will also give a valuable read to policymakers as well as the interested follower of globalisation's impact on the workplace. After all, the drivers of convergence mainly stem from the growing blur of global fontiers and the desperate struggle of European and Asian countries to keep up with the American economy. This is why trade unionism in Europe, most notably Germany and France, are under an increasing pressure to submerge. It will be interesting to follow how globalisation will be able to flex its muscles and shape national systems in the future. It will also be interesting to see how Japanese-style ideals and team-based strategies will be able to sustain in the face of reappearance of Schumpeterian theories of economic values of entrepreneurship, which largely blossoms in individualist, against-the-rules working principles and creative destruction of poorly performing companies. I hope there will be another book of equivalent depth in a number of years to pick up these impacting developments.

Converging Divergences: Worldwide Changes in Employment Systems.(Review): An article from: Relations Industrielles/Industrial Relations

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Converging Divergences: Worldwide Changes in Employment Systems.(Review): An article from: Relations Industrielles/Industrial Relations
Nick Wailes
Manufacturer: Relations Industrielles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Relations Industrielles/Industrial Relations, published by Relations Industrielles on June 22, 2000. The length of the article is 1761 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Converging Divergences: Worldwide Changes in Employment Systems.(Review)
Author: Nick Wailes
Publication: Relations Industrielles/Industrial Relations (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2000
Publisher: Relations Industrielles
Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Page: 540

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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