After an introductory chapter by the editors exploring why anthropologists should study disaster, ten contributions based on work presented at a School of American Research seminar (October 1997, Santa Fe, New Mexico) explore various aspects of how disasters happen and their impact on a community’s social structures and relationship to the environment. Referring to a variety of natural and technological disasters (Chernobyl, Exxon Valdez , Bhopal gas disaster, drought in the Andes and in Africa, Mexican earthquakes), they examine the potential for anthropological investigation in this realm, as well as possibilities for how anthropology can contribute to disaster management. The contributors are affiliated with anthopology departments at universities in the US (and one each from Canada and Mexico); editor Hoffman is an independent researcher and Oliver-Smith is with the U. of Florida. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)