California Earthquakes - Science, Risk, and the Politics of Hazard Mitigation (Paperback)

Winner, Book Prize, Forum for the History of Science in America, History of Science Society

Tracing the history of seismology and the rise of the regulatory state and of environmental awareness, California Earthquakes tells how earthquake-hazard management came about, why some groups assisted and others fought it, and how scientists and engineers helped shape it.

"This carefully researched book provides new knowledge about a group of scientific experts who are not normally associated with Progressivism. In the process of examining the history of this group of technocratic reformers, Geschwind persuasively shows how the regulatory state has come to play the single greatest role in insulating Californians from the risk of seismic disaster." -- Journal of American History

"California Earthquakes is a provocative and accessible history of science, technology, and politics in a particular natural environment." -- Environmental History

"Geschwind, like no other, tells the story of a full spectrum of human responses to earthquakes in California. Topics are seamlessly interwoven in historical context... Dealing constructively with California earthquakes in the future should be enhanced through the understanding and appreciation of the historical aspects so well presented in this book." -- Choice

"[A] thorough and well-documented study... This book is an important benchmark for understanding the historical context of [the scientific community's] work, and provides insights into how scientific policy and funding programs are formed." -- Western Historical Quarterly

"In a broader sense than its earthquake theme, it is an absorbing account of an important component of thedevelopment of California. Geschwind writes with an attractive style, some humor, and knows how to thread intriguing anecdotes." -- Earth Sciences History

"Well written, tightly structured, and carefully researched." -- Contemporary Disaster Review

Carl-Henry Geschwind holds a master's degree in geological sciences from Brown University and a Ph.D. in history of science from the Johns Hopkins University.